Focus: 5/6 Russia had been isolated by the Mongol invasions and struggled to catch up to the western European nations. Lacking a warm water port, Russia found it difficult to engage in sea trade. Influenced by the Mongols, Russia has had a long history of absolute rulers. Absolute rulers like Ivan the Great drove out the Mongols and created a Russian state. Points for Discussion: What impact would isolation by the Mongols have on Russia? Term to Know: Westernization Critical Lens: Early Russia was influenced by the Byzantine Empire.

Ivan the Terrible Peter the Great Catherine the Great Absolutism in Russia Ivan the Terrible Peter the Great Catherine the Great

Peter the Great Peter the Great - imported Western technology to Russia

Peter the Great Peter the Great worked to make Russia a military power.

Peter the Great Peter wanted to control a warm water port.

Peter the Great Peter built St. Petersburg as a symbol of Russian greatness. (called it a “Window to the West”)

Peter the Great Peter attempted to modernize Russia

Peter the Great Legacy of Peter - expanded Russian territory - created a great army - REFORMS DIED WITH HIM!!!!

Catherine the Great Catherine the Great comes to power in Russia

Catherine the Great Like Peter, Catherine tries to modernize Russia by looking to the West (Europe)

Catherine the Great Unlike Peter, Catherine achieves Russia’s desire to gain a warm water port along the Black Sea

Closure 1. Explain how Russia became isolated from Western Europe. 2. Illustrate why Peter called St. Petersburg “the Window to the West”. 3. Why did both Peter and Catherine look towards Western Europe as an example? 4. Why did both Peter and Catherine want possession of a warm-water port?