Absolute Rulers of Russia Chapter 5 Section 4

Main Ideas Peter the Great made many changes in Russia to try to make it more like western Europe. Many Russians today debate whether to model themselves on the West or to focus on their traditional Russian culture.

Introduction Ivan III of Moscow Ruled Russia from 1462-1505 Conquered much of the territory around Moscow Liberated Russia from the Mongols Began to centralize the Russian government Ivan’s son continued with his father’s work Ivan’s grandson, Ivan IV, also continued the trend.

The First Czar Ivan IV, a/k/a Ivan the Terrible Came to power in 1533 when he was three years old. Struggled with Russian nobles, boyars, for power. Boyars tried to control young Ivan. When Ivan was 16, he crowned himself czar. Czar = Caesar Married Anastasia of the Romanov family. 1547-1560 = Ivan’s good period Added lands to Russia, gave Russia a code of laws & ruled justly.

Rule by Terror Ivan’s bad period began in 1560 after Anastasia died. He thought boyars had poisoned his wife & turned against them. Formed his own secret police force, whose main duty was to hunt down and murder Ivan‘s traitors.

Secret Police Dressed in black & rode black horses. Through the secret police, Ivan had thousands of people killed. Boyars, their families & their peasants. Seized the boyars’ estates & gave them to a new class of nobles.

A Personal Tragedy & National Disaster 1581 – Ivan killed his oldest son (and heir to the throne) during a violent quarrel. Ivan died three years later, leaving his second son to rule.

Rise of the Romanovs Ivan’s son was physically & mentally incapable of ruling. Died without an heir. Period was known as the Time of Troubles. Boyars struggled for power. Heirs of czars died mysteriously. Imposters tried to claim the throne.

Choosing a Czar 1613 – representatives from Russian cities met to choose a czar. They chose Michael Romanov, grandnephew of Ivan the Terrible’s wife, Anastasia. Marked the beginning of the Romanov dynasty, which controlled Russia for 300 years.

Peter the Great Romanovs restored order to Russia. Strengthened government by passing a law code and putting down a revolt. This paved the way for Peter I, a/k/a Peter the Great. At first he shared the throne with his half-brother. 1696 – became sole ruler.

Serfdom When Peter came to power, Russia was still a land of boyars and serfs. Serfdom lasted in Russia until mid 1800s, much longer than western Europe. Russia wanted serfs to stay on land & produce large harvests. They treated serfs like property. They could be presents or payment for debts. Sold serfs with land.

Russia Contrasts with Europe Boyars knew little of western Europe. In the Middle Ages, Russia looked to Constantinople, not Rome, for leadership. Mongol rule had cut Russia off from the Renaissance & Age of Exploration.

Geographic Barriers & Religious Differences Russia only had one seaport. Covered with ice most of the year. Russians had adopted the Eastern Orthodox branch of Christianity. Westerners were mostly Catholics & Protestants. Russians viewed them as heretics & avoided them.

Peter Visits the West Peter was fascinated by all things western. He had a passion for ships and the sea. Felt Russia needed a warm water port. In order for Russia to compete with the more modern states of western Europe. One of Peter’s goals, after becoming sole ruler, was to learn about European customs & manufacturing techniques.

Peter Rules Absolutely After his trip to the West, Peter resolved that Russia would compete with Europe on both military and commercial terms. Peter’s goal was westernization. A way to make Russia stronger.

Peter’s Reforms Peter knew Russia needed reforms But not all people agreed In order to bring about change, Peter increased his powers. Brought the church under state control. Reduced the power of great landowners. Promoted men of lower-ranking families. Hired European officers for his army. Heavy taxes to pay for the army.

Westernizing Russia In order to westernize Russia, Peter: Introduced potatoes Started & edited the first Russian newspaper Raised women’s status Ordered nobles to wear Western fashions Opened a school of navigation & a school for the arts & sciences Believed education was the key to Russia’s progress.

Establishing St. Petersburg Peter fought Sweden to gain a port on the Baltic coast. Wanted this seaport to help advance education. After 21 years, Russia won the “window on Europe”. Named city St. Petersburg.

Russia Peter the Great had tried to westernize and reform the culture & government of Russia. To a great extent, he succeeded. By 1725, Russia was a power to be reckoned with in Europe.