Why did these reforms fail?

Answer 1

Catherine the Great was not Russian but a German princess who was brought to Russia to marry Fredrick who was also German. When she first took the throne she did want to take the country from serf/master to less severe system. It didn't work. She was fighting years and centuries of thinking by the ruling class, yet she did a great deal for Russia. Russia gained land and doubled in size under her rule, she built churches ( as well as her palace) and started schools. She collected one of the greatest art collections in Europe ( it still is) and did many things for Russia. One of her greatest failings is she had 14 lovers and her one marriage to Fredrick ( the relationship between the two of them was not intimate and was strained) ended with his death ( some think she had him murdered for the throne). Her 3 children were from 3 different men and none lived to see the throne. Towards the end of her life she was very ineffective and sick.