“Absolute Monarchy in Russia”

Do Now: Analyze this picture

Religion: Russians were Eastern Orthodox whereas Europeans were Catholic or Protestant. Geography: Russia was isolated from Western Europe History: Russia was not involved in the Renaissance or the Age of Exploration Result: Russians distrusted and avoided foreigners Russia: How was it different from Europe?

Russia Before Peter the Great Different characteristics from Western Europe Scale, size made country difficult to rule Had potential military power to be harnessed Russian Rulers are more autocratic and more powerful than Medieval Europe They had more power than Absolute monarchs in France and Europe

Russian Characteristics Boyars  Traditional Russian Aristocracy (upper class)  Had local authority and power over peasants because of the size of the country Streltsy  Ran Russian army in medieval feudal fashion  Did not run the army like a western style  Made it difficult for a czar to rule military directly Characteristics of state  Largely Agrarian (farming)  Very little trade and urban life  Traditional Nobility and Military All created challenges for rulers that want to modernize it Had the power of authority - Needs to use it

Peter the Great  Was 6 ft, 8 inches tall  Had a strong sense of humor and enjoyed playing practical jokes  He also had a mean temper- he was known to beat his officials with a stick – crushed resistance  He also signed execution papers for his oldest son to be killed for opposing him, but he died from torture before the execution  Took throne in 1682 (10 years old) – MODERNIZE RUSSIA

Peter Modernizes Russia Peter the Great took control of Russian government and set out to modernize it. He traveled to European cities in There, he learned about new technologies and was impressed by Parliament in England.

Peter Visits the West  Peter was fascinated by modern tools, machines, and the sea  Believed Russia’s future depended on a warm-water port and could then compete with western Europe  Peter insisted on keeping his identity a secret  Wore plain clothes, went to the Netherlands and worked on ships and as a carpenter  Slowly, word spread of who he was  Visited England and Austria before going home

Westernization Under Peter Peter brought back experts from Western Europe to help his policy of westernization. To force the change, he was very autocratic, ruling with unlimited authority.

Peter Takes Over Complete Control Peter worked to control the Russian clergy and nobility. He put the Russian Orthodox Church under his control. He made the boyars serve the state, shave their traditional beards, and switch to Western-style dress.

New western styles Russians were forced to wear

Westernizing Russia  introduced potatoes, became a staple of the Russian diet  started Russia’s first newspaper  allowed women to attend social gatherings  ordered nobles to wear western fashions  changed the New Year from Sep. to Jan.  ordered men to shave their beard or pay a big tax  Western Economy (Manufacturing, Mining, Ship Building, etc.)

A Cruel Rule Peter was not afraid to use force to reach his goal. If anyone revolted, he had them killed. He adopted mercantilist policies to pay for his reforms.

Peter’s Reforms Peter’s reforms were both social and economic. He imported technology, improved schools, improved canals, and developed new industries.

Russia under Peter Changes to Army  No more Feudal character  Suppressed the Strestly and replaced them with peasant army  Peasants required to serve for 25 years Making up to Boyars  Enhanced control over peasants -  Gave them something for all the demands Reorganized economy  Monetary system changed  Commercial trade increased  Trade funneled through St/Petersburg

New Capital  To promote education and growth, Peter wanted a warm seaport  This would also encourage trade and travel with the west  Peter fought and beat Sweden to gain a piece of the Baltic coast  Called it St. Petersburg and began building on the swampy site- was very difficult

Old capital and new capital

St. Petersburg’s Importance Symbol of Peters Goals of moving Russia to the west Peters Use of authority to force his authority on the people Wanted to build new capital city because Moscow has flaws Not close enough to the West, No seaport, Did not have physical appearance that Peter wanted Symbol of the New Russia and Western Orientation Microcosm of Peter's Reign Symbol of his authority

Swampland

Building St. Petersburg ▪ Army forced serfs to leave home every summer and work at St. Petersburg ▪ 100,000 people died from terrible working conditions and diseases 1 st year ▪ Peter ordered many nobles and others to leave Moscow and live in St. Petersburg, the new capital ▪ Peter insisted the streets be broad, straight and paved with stone and lined with houses ▪ Houses had to conform to standard patterns, based on social classes drawn up by official architects

Serfs working at St. Petersburg

Known as “Old St. Petersburg”

Statue of Peter in St. Petersburg

Russian Foreign Policy Affected by desire to secure all year round access to seas of the world Many sea ports freeze up during the winter Warm Water ports to the South (Black Sea) Warm water ports to the North (Baltic Sea) Played a large role in Russia’s foreign policy Played a large part in Peter’s military and diplomatic ambitions

South North Attacked Ottoman Turks captured Azov, got access to the Black Sea Not able to hold onto the Black Sea Not successful Great Northern War Vs. Charles XII of Sweden Peter eventually negotiates with Ottomans and Swedes Peter fighting

Peter’s Death ▪Peter had a severe bladder infection, causing doctors to perform a surgery to unblock 4 pounds of urine ▪After months of resting, Peter was anxious to get back to work ▪While inspecting a project along the Finnish Gulf, he noticed some soldiers drowning, and helped rescue them in icy waters ▪This, along with his healing bladder, caused another infection, causing Peter’s death

Peter on his deathbed