1. Absolute Rulers of Russia

2.  Ivan the Terrible  Came to power in 1533 when 3 years old  Nobles fought to control Ivan  16 seizes power and crowns himself Czar (Caesar)  At first added land, made code of laws and ruled justly  Rule by Terror  1560 wife Anastasia dies-=thinks nobles poisoned her= secret police kill nobles  Gives new loyal nobles their land  Eventually kills his oldest son  Rise of the Romanovs  Younger son incapable of rule- dies w/out heir  Representatives choose next czar- Anastasia's grand nephew- Starts the Romanov dynasty- Rule for 33 years.

4.  Peter the Great  Becomes ruler in 1696, Reformer, increases Czar’s power  Russia contrasts with Europe  Geographically isolated from rest of Europe  Eastern Orthodox branch of Christianity  Serfdom in Russia A LOT longer than the rest of Europe Nobles treat serfs like slaves, give them as presents, sell them with the land, etc.  Peter Visits the West  Peter wants a warm water port  24 makes trip to western Europe

6.  Peter’s Reforms  Peter used western Europe as a model for change  Brought church under state control  Reduced power of great landowners  Hired European officers to train his army- made being a soldier a lifetime job  Westernizing Russia  Food (potatoes), clothing, women go to social gatherings, newspaper, more schools, go abroad for schooling  Establishing St. Petersburg  Fought Sweden for port- called it St. Petersburg  Built on a swamp- cost thousands of lives b/c of unhealthy conditions  Forced nobles to move their from Moscow