Abstract

SUMMARY:

Guzel’ Ibneeva’s article, based upon original research and broad range of secondary sources, explores the influence of Catherine II travels into the Middle Volga region upon her imperial policies. Claiming that Catherine was far from being a Western traveler eager to project his/her own visions of “civilization” or “barbarism”, Ibneeva argues that Catherine’s attentive study of her different subject nations brought to life more tolerant legislation in religious sphere (which, in terms of 18th century Russian empire also meant ethnic sphere). The reader will find numerous references to Catherine’s own writings, as well as memoirs, correspondence, archival resources in the article and will have a chance to judge to what extent “the mapping of empire” occurred due to these remarkable journeys.

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