What ideas did Catherine the Great borrow from western Europe?

- Enlightenment ideas: Catherine was a patron of the arts and sciences, and she was influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment. She corresponded with Voltaire and Diderot, and she invited them to Russia. She also established the Russian Academy of Sciences.

- Political reforms: Catherine introduced several political reforms, including the abolition of the secret police and the establishment of a new legal code. She also tried to modernize the Russian government and administration by introducing Western European ideas and practices.

- Educational reforms: Catherine introduced several educational reforms, including the establishment of the Smolny Institute for Noble Girls and the Moscow State University. She also introduced a new curriculum that included the study of foreign languages and sciences.

- Social reforms: Catherine introduced several social reforms, including the emancipation of the serfs and the granting of religious freedom to non-Orthodox Christians. She also tried to improve the living conditions of the Russian people by introducing Western European ideas and practices.

- Economic reforms: Catherine introduced several economic reforms, including the encouragement of foreign investment and the establishment of new industries. She also tried to improve the Russian economy by introducing Western European ideas and practices.