Russian Enlightenment Journalism: Catherine II and Novikov (1769)

In 1769, the Russian literary landscape underwent a dramatic transformation with an unprecedented explosion of satirical periodicals. This course guides you through this pivotal moment in Enlightenment history, examining how Catherine the Great and publisher Nikolay Novikov used the press to debate social morality, serfdom, and royal authority. You will gain a clear foundational understanding of eighteenth-century publishing, censorship, and ideological polemics. What you'll learn: Understand the historical context of the 1769 magazine boom in the Russian Empire; Analyze the editorial philosophy of Catherine II's journal Vsyakaya Vsyachina and its vision of benign satire; Examine Nikolay Novikov's Truten (The Drone) and its sharp social critique of the nobility; Compare the distinct literary strategies, rhetorical devices, and satirical modes of the era; Evaluate how this intellectual clash shaped censorship, journalism ethics, and civil discourse. The course begins with core historical terms, Enlightenment principles, and publishing mechanics before moving into comparative textual analysis and lasting cultural impacts. Designed for history enthusiasts, literature students, and curious readers, this course requires no prior knowledge of Russian history. Start reading today to discover how eighteenth-century periodicals laid the groundwork for modern social commentary.