The Rise of Russia

Introduction Russian rulers (tsars) used genealogy to claim their power to rule They were descendants of Rurik (founder of Russia) Based empire on Rome Considered themselves the “Third Rome” Ruler leader of the church and divine mission

Introduction Important stuff: Tsars claimed a lot Claims embodied significant contradictions Russian expansion caused the empire to be complex and multi-facted

Russia’s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars 14th century Duchy of Moscow expelled Mongol (tartar) rule Ivan III aka Ivan the Great Organized strong army Russia becomes an independent state Territorial expansion Revived Orthodox Christianity

Russia’s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars I. The Need for Revival Russia had become purely agricultural under Mongol rule Cultural & economic decline occur Literacy decreases Russia resumed earlier patterns of Russian life after independence

Russia’s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars Ivan the Great Restores traditional centralized rule Asserts control of Orthodox churches Calls Russia “Third Rome” Tsar comes from caesar

Russia’s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars Ivan IV aka Ivan the Terrible Continues Russian expansion Emphasized tsartist autocracy by killing boyars (nobles)

Russia’s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars II. Patterns of Expansion Expansion into central Asia Driven by desire to push back Mongols Cossacks (peasants) recruited to settle new lands Land grants/estates given to nobles & bureaucrats for loyalty Slaves used Trade with Asia increased Islam tolerated

Russian Expansion Under the Tsars 1462-1598

Russia’s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars III. Western Contact & Romanov Policy Contact with W. Europe to improve Russia’s commercial & cultural disadvantages due to Mongol rule Ivan III Sent diplomats to leading Western States Ivan IV Begin trading with British Trade furs & raw materials for manufactured goods

Russia’s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars Tsars import Italian artists & architects Build Kremlin in Moscow Time of Troubles Ivan IV dies without an heir Sweden & Poland attack Boyars attempt to take power 1693 choose Michael Romanov for new Tsar

Kremlimn

Kremlin

Russia’s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars Romanov Dynasty rules until Russian Revolution in 1917 Michael Romanov Restores order Expels invaders Resumes expansion Ukraine Boundaries extend to Ottoman Empire

Russia’s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars Alexis Romanov Abolish boyar assemblies Gained power over church Exile “Old Believers” to Siberia Maintain their religion Expand colonization

Russia’s First Westernization 1690 - 1790 I. Tsarist Autocracy of Peter the Great Extends tsarist control Expands territory Reforms by Fiat Sets up Chancery of Secret Police Attacks Ottomans Moves capital from Moscow to St. Petersburg

Russia’s First Westernization 1690 - 1790 II. What Westernization Meant Forms military hierarchy Navy created Bureaucratic changes Noble council replaced by appointed advisors Set up law codes Revised tax system

Russia’s First Westernization 1690 - 1790 Economy Metallurgy and mining expand State run munitions & shipbuilding Serf labor used in manufacturing Culture Only affected upper class Greater freedom of women Requires nobles to shave beards & dress like Westerners Educational improvements Math & science

Russia’s First Westernization 1690 - 1790 III. Consolidation under Catherine the Great Weak rulers follow after Peter I dies Catherine, Peter III’s widow, becomes effect ruler Resumes Peter the Great’s interests Pugachev peasant rebellion Excuse to expand central power

Russia’s First Westernization 1690 - 1790 Embraced Westernization Absolutism Nobles empowered over serfs Bans writings of liberals & democrats after French Revolution Expansion Crimea from Ottomans Extends colonization of Siberia Claim Alaskan territory Explores settle in N. California

Russia’s First Westernization 1690 - 1790 Partition of Poland Eliminates Poland as an independent state Divides Poland into three partitions among Russia, Austria, & Prussia Defeats Napoleon defeated 1812 1st time Russia moves into heartland of W. Europe

Themes in Early Modern Russian History I. Serfdom: The life of the Masses During 17th & 18Th centuries power of boyars over serfs increased Most peasants free farmers prior to Mongol rule Serfdom allowed government to placate nobles & control peasants Serfdom extended with expansion

Themes in Early Modern Russian History 1649 – serfdom becomes hereditary Serfs legally tied to the land and legal rights of landlords increased Very close to slavery Serfs could be bought, sold, punished…. Serfs taxed and policed by landlords Poland, Hungary, and other Eastern European countries mirrored serfdom in Russia

Themes in Early Modern Russian History II. Trade and Economic Dependence 95% of population was rural Small merchant class due to fear of social competition by nobility Russian trade controlled by Westerners Relied on Western shipping Produced enough revenue from exports to continue expansion Russia’s population doubles in 18th century Economy advanced

Themes in Early Modern Russian History III. Social Unrest Russia’s economic and social system protested Radishev – western oriented aristocrat called for abolition of serfdom Peasant rebellions

Themes in Early Modern Russian History Pugachev Rebellion 1770’s Pugachev was a cossack who claimed to be the legitimate tsar Promised to end serfdom, taxes, & military conscription Defeated and killed publically in Moscow Catherine the Great & nobility triumph

Themes in Early Modern Russian History IV. Russia & Eastern Europe Growing trade with the West sparked cultural exchange Balkans Under Ottoman control Influenced by the Englightenment

Themes in Early Modern Russian History Poland Under control of Catholic sphere Internal weakness lead to Partition Many other states such as Hungary & Bohemia lost political autonomy