To what extent was Catherine the Great a transformational leader and to what extent was she not?

Catherine the Great was responsible for Russia’s westward and southward expansion, making it one of the great powers in Europe at the time. She conquered territories belonging to the Ottoman Empire and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Empress promoted enlightenment ideals and supported reforms toward civilization and development. She established institutions of learning and became a patron of the arts in her country. She formed the League of Armed Neutrality which was responsible for maintaining neutral access to shipping during the conflict between America and Britain.

Catherine failed in dealing with the issues of the serfs. She reversed their freedom which was earlier granted by Peter III. The Empress did not take any steps to endear her to the peasants. This made communication difficult resulting in the Pugachev Rebellion. The peasants were displeased with Catherine’s policies to empower the landowners.