Russia 1600’s--- Russia was untouched by the Renaissance

Peter the Great An absolute Monarch modernized Russia. traveled to western Europe studied the advances of the Renaissance. used this knowledge to end Russia’s isolation brought back experts, teachers and soldiers to Russia.

Westernization Adopted a Policy to implement western culture. Many Russians opposed this policy. – Peter became more autocratic

Peter’s Goals were to; – Strengthen the military (build a standing army and navy) – Expand borders (Fought wars) – Centralize royal power all institutions brought under his control, including the Orthodox Church Forced nobles to serve the state in civilian or military positions

Boyars lost power. Russian dress had to be replaced with western style garments. Men and women had to attend parties and dance together. These serfs to work on road and canal projects. Under his rule, serfdom expanded. Anyone who resisted his new order would be tortured and executed. Corpses would be left to rot outside the palace wall for months Boyars had to shave off beards. Peter expanded serfdom to a class called State serfs Taxes increased on the middle class

Vocabulary Autocratic of or relating to a ruler who has absolute power. taking no account of other people's wishes or opinions; domineering. Boyar a member of the old aristocracy in Russia, nobility Serf-an agricultural laborer bound under the feudal system to work on his lord's estate.

Peter enlarged the size and power of Russia Fought the Great Northern War and defeated the Swedes. ( Port on the Baltic) Fought a war with the Ottoman Empire and won warm water port. ( Azov) He built St. Petersburg and made it the capital. built in a swampy area on the Baltic. Many died building this city it is a symbol of absolutism. ( like Versailles)

Great Northern War

Azov Fought the Ottoman Empire (Russo Turkish War) Peter later lost This port to the Turks

Upon his death, nobles began to ignore his reforms & policies

Peter the Great's legacy Russian territory was expanded Serfdom increased New ports He used terror to enforce his absolute power Ended Russia's isolation A warm water port A mighty army & navy

Peter the Great's legacy positive Russian territory was expanded A mighty army & navy New ports A warm water port Ended Russia's isolation negative He used terror to enforce his absolute power Serfdom increased

Catherine the Great Encouraged western culture ( copied French Court) Further expanded the borders. Increased serfdom Was autocratic She differed from Peter in that – she granted more rights to Boyars. – Created public education – Built hospitals

She took part in the partition of Poland with Austria and Prussia. The three countries partitioned Poland ( 1770’s) The kingdom of Poland vanished until after WWI Catherine the Great

Peter the Great Catherine the Great GovernmentAbsolute Strengthens government Takes powers from Boyars Spreads serfdom Absolute Organizes the government Gives rights to Boyars Allows peasants to suffer ReformsImproves education Develops new industries Encourages trade Organizes the system of laws Sets up state schools for children WarsCreates the largest army in Europe Conquers land along the Baltic Gets warm water port Takes territory from Poland Western ideasBuilds capital city, St. Petersburg in western style Forces Russians to dress like western Europeans Encourages western ways Introduces French language and ways of life Describe two ways Peter the Great introduced western ways to Russia