1. Early Russian History

2. Rise of Moscow What do you know about Mongols?
Mongols ruled over Russia for centuries – what do you suppose was the impact of the Mongol control over the “house of Rus” for so long?
Why do you think Ivan III got the title” Ivan the Great”? Was he really that “good”?
And Ivan the terrible… was he that bad?
Why do Russian kings call themselves Tsar (Czar is also OK)?

3. Ivan the Terrible King in 1533 at age 3
Took power from advisors 15 years later
Why would he crown himself and have coins cascading over his head at this coronation?
He was pretty nasty, but that’s not how he got his name… it’s more like “terrifying”
What do you think he did to earn the title “TERRIBLE”?
John Green – 3m
Biography - 3m

4. Michael Romanov After 30 years (TIME OF TROUBLES)
Why (how) is he so significant?
(first Czar of the last Russian ruling dynasty)
Not involved with palace intrigue
Russia would later take Ukraine from Poland.
Relate today – how has Czarist Russia affected current events in Europe?

5. Peter the Great A giant of a man – 7’ and powerful
What does the fate of his siblings (Ivan and Sophia) say about Peter?
How is he Machiavellian?
What made his trip to Europe unique? 5m

6. Great Northern War 1700-1721 Why is a warm water port so important?
What does this continued war say about how Peter would rule over his masses?
St. Petersburg was to be the Russian “window to the West… what do you think that would mean?
Peter modernized the military, judicial system, cut the beards… why?

7. This war would change both Russia and Sweden indefinitely.
Why?
How?

8. Peter III Not a very strong man German, by decent, like Catherine
Peter was like a child
Catherine was dutiful, but this marriage was doomed
Peter held tight to his German heritage
Peter would eventually be murdered
Catherine would assume role of Czar

9. Catherine the Great Catherine II of Russia (r. 1762-1796)
reformed the administration
continued to modernize Russia (Peter I)
the Catherinian Era, is often considered the Golden Age of the Russian Empire
Construction of many mansions of the nobility, in the classical style endorsed by the Empress, changed the face of the country.
enthusiastically supported the ideals of the Enlightenment
a patron of the arts
presided over the formation of the first college for Women in Europe
Presided over massive expansion into Ottoman lands
47m
Play
2m-7m