1. Peter the Great: Russia
Absolutism
Peter the Great: Russia

2. Russia's Absolute Monarch
Peter the Great
Russia's Absolute Monarch

3. Peter the Great Ruled until 1696
The Russian Church and the nobles, called Boyars, were two prime targets
Major goal was the Westernization of Russia

4. Russia Before Peter the Great
Lacked an ice-free port which hindered trade and communication with Europe
Mongol influence of about 250 years:
Russia developed the idea of strong man rule which would last into the 20th century (1992)

6. Westernization & Modernization
Created a stronger Russian army that could obtain his “window on the West”
Needed access to Black Sea as well as access to the Baltic Sea

7. Westernization & Modernization

8. Westernization & Modernization
Unlike Western Europe, serfdom still existed in Russia and was very widespread
Serfs could be bought and sold like slaves

9. He visited almost every factory, museum & printing press
Peter’s Reforms
Grand Embassy
took Peter to Holland, Venice & England to learn as much as he could so he could strengthen Russia and her army
He visited almost every factory, museum & printing press

10. Peter’s Reforms
Peter made the following changes to Russia once he returned to Russia:
The Russian Church came under Peter’s direct control
Non-serfs:
required to serve the state in the government or military
nobility did not guarantee any high positions

11. Peter’s Reforms
Encouraged industrialization and provided government money for companies to start making products the army needed

12. Peter’s Reforms
Eastern fashions were prohibited men could not wear beards
Newspaper created to help the increase in literacy and exchange ideas

13. Peter’s Reforms
Peter built his new capital, St. Petersburg on Swedish lands on the Baltic Sea
provided the ice-free port that Russia had desired for so long

14. The peasant stayed outside looking in while the nobility continued to enjoy a privilege –
*this gap between classes would have dire consequences for Russia’s future

15. Enlightened Despots (Kings)
Frederick the Great
Prussia
(1740 – 1786)

16. Enlightened Despots (Kings)
Frederick the Great
Prussia
(1740 – 1786)
“First Servant of the State”
Religious Tolerance
“Heaven in his own Fashion”

17. Joseph II Enlightened Despots Holy Roman Empire ( 1765 – 1790 )
“The Peasant Emperor”
Went out to the Pubs undercover…
Extended Tolerance to Protestants and Jews
Ended Censorship
Sold Monasteries and Convents
Ended Serfdom

18. ABSOLUTE MONARCH
TRADING CARDS {pt. I}
Henry IV
Cardinal Richelieu
Louis XIV
Maria Theresa
Frederick the Great
Stuarts
Oliver Cromwell
William and Mary
Peter the Great