“I would not have guessed that in 1700 that Reason, one day, would come to Moscow as the voice of a princess born in Germany.” –Voltaire to Catherine the great 4:18 Russia

Russia: European or Asian? Ural Mountains mark the dividing line between Europe and Asia

Russia: European or Asian? European heritage Greek Orthodox Christianity modeled after the Byzantine Empire tsars—Russian emperors (“caesar”) feudal system: boyar landowners vs. serfs Christ the Savior Cathedral, Moscow

Russia: European or Asian? Asian heritage Mongol influence = no Renaissance or Reformation Major exporter to Europe and China Siberian furs, honey, caviar Christ the Savior Cathedral, Moscow

Ivan III “The Great” Ivan III (1462-1505)—centralized the Rus territories under the control of Moscow, Tsar of “Muscovy” ended Mongol rule over the Rus married Zoe, niece of the last Byzantine Emperor rebuilt the citadel (city walls) of the Moscow Kremlin

Ivan IV “The Terrible” Ivan IV (1547-1584)— conquered the Mongol’s Golden Horde, est. Russia built St. Basil’s Cathedral massacre of noble boyars at Novgorod, killed his son in a fit of rage Time of Troubles (1603-1613)— state of Russian anarchy, boyars attempted to rule

Romanov Dynasty Romanov Dynasty (1613-1917)—ended the Time of Troubles Alexis Romanov (1645-1676)—abolished assemblies of boyars; gained power over Russian Orthodox church

Romanov Dynasty Slavophile serfs resisted Western influence on Russia Old Believers—refused to accept changes to the Orthodox Church; mostly peasants, exiled to Siberia Boyar landlords could buy/sell serfs (1/3 population

Peter I “The Great” Peter I Romanov (1682-1725)—absolutist ruler; vastly expanded Russian border Removed enemies: sister Sophia sent to convent, Streltsy boyar army disbanded, abolished the patriarch “Westernized” Russia Moved the capital to St. Petersburg for warm water port access Winter Palace modelled after Versailles European sleeves, no veils

Tsarina Elizabeth Elizabeth of Russia (1741-1762)—daughter of Peter the Great, known for tolerance and education no executions under her reign University of Moscow, St. Petersburg Academy of the Arts Smolny Cathedral

Catherine the Great Catherine II (1762-1796)—educated, German-born Protestant, took the throne after husband Peter III assassinated gave appearance of enlightened Western rule granted boyars power over peasants segregated Jews to the Pale of Settlement (Poland) frequent pogroms—anti-Jewish attacks

Cossacks—peasants recruited to migrate to newly seized lands in southern Russia Pugachev Rebellion (1774)—Cossack peasant revolt Leader claimed to be Catherine’s murdered husband, executed Increased Catherine’s oppression of serfs