Russian Empire: Challenges of Modernization

Avvakum and Old Believers

Movement away from Mongols

The Gathering of Russian Lands Beginnings of Imperial state

Cossacks The driving force in Ivan’s attempts to unify under an autocratic regime.

The Third Rome Caesaropapism/Caesar/Tsar Divine Right of Kings Autocratic

Ivan IV (the terrible)

Governance Chosen council Assemblies of the land

Oprichniki

Time of Troubles

Romanov Dynasty

Peter the Great Conquerors Video An inspired youth Connnection to the Sea

Russia and the Sea

Peter the Tsar (Czar) Reforms Instituted a forced and rapid modernization Worked to base Russian industries on most advanced science and technology Sent Russians to study abroad Traveled to western Europe to learn about governments, military, and industries

Military reform Equipped better-paid and better-trained armies with modern weapons Ordered aristocratic officers to study mathematics and geometry Built the largest army in Europe, defeated Sweden in the Great Northern War

Bureaucratic reform Relied on nobles to serve as government officials Established the Table of Ranks based on merits Social reform Abolished the terem (harem), encouraged social mixing of the sexes Ordered women to wear western clothing and ordered men to shave beards

“Window to the West” PORT! Great Northern War St. Petersburg Modern power at time of his death in 1725

Politics of the 17th century England French Absolutism Habsburg Empire

The Limits of Westernization Best emphasized by Catherine the Great The Czarina tried to westernize, but found continuing these reforms impossible. Attracted to ideals of the West—Voltaire and the Enlightenment. Unwilling to relinquish her absolutist control. “You write on paper, I have to write on skin which is far more ticklish”.

Pugachev’s Rebellion Peasant rebellion Protesting taxes Attacked nobles, officials, and priests Crushed by the Czar’s army Ended any ideas of westernization in Russia. Restrict foreign ideas in Russia

Russian Empire

Social matters in Russia Similar to China in that their social system is dependent on the status of peasants (serfs) Law Code of 1649 Serfs can be sold Fixed occupational castes Catherine gave greater control over serfs Nobility given near complete control over their lives

Russian commerce Began with European trade—primarily in fur. Russians interested in European wares and manufactured goods. Russians gradually grew weary of trade and demanded restriction on foreign trade

Russian Religion Two primary views Avvakum and the Old Believers refused to accept the views of Nikon and the New Believers. Political influence over time.

Russian Empire under Pressure Crimean War: Russia seeking a warm water Mediterranean Port At the expense of the Ottomans Eastern Question Russia whipped—demonstrates need to modernize

Attempts to modernize in wake of Crimean War Problem Outcome Liberation of serfs by Alexander the II Increasing agricultural output by liberating serfs Give political rights in the form of zemstvos Serfs had to pay a tax without political rights, preferred serfdom. Agricultural production didn’t increase Undemocratic bodies with no real authority

Attempts to modernize industry Solution Outcome Sergei Witte’s system to promote railway construction Remodeled the state bank Industrialization Other industries stimulated Loans were easier to get and industry grew Fell hardest on workers

Russo-Japanese War Goal Outcome Territorial conquest in goal of modernization Significant, embarrasing defeat.

Political Changes Revolution of 1905 Outcome Bloody Sunday Massacre Peasant uprising and Urban workers formed “soviets” Establishment of Duma Socialism begins to become a powerful force in Russia.