2. Peter I and Catherine II
Russian Absolutism
Peter I and Catherine II

3. Russian Isolation
Why was Russia so isolated prior to the 18th century?
Cultural
Cyrillic alphabet
Religious
Russian Orthodox
Geographical
Landlocked

4. Who Controls the Sea? Sweden and Poland control the Baltic Sea
Turks control the Black Sea
Poland controls rivers on which trade occurred

5. The Romanovs 1613 – Michael Romanov - Tsar
Romanov dynasty rules Russia for 300 years
Last Tsar – Nicholas II
1918 – Nicholas II and his family murdered

6. Peter the Great Ruled 1689-1725 “Westernized” Russia
Expanded Russian territory
Created Russian navy
Founded St. Petersburg

7. Peter I 1697 – Peter travels to Western Europe Goals:
Observe west European culture and politics
Learn about west European shipbuilding, science

8. Westernizing Russia Social Nobles forced to dress in Western clothes
Military
Creates standing army, first navy
Religious
Controls Russian Orthodox Church
Economic
Encourages middle class professions

9. Peter I: Class System “Service Nobility”
Title dependent on service to tsar
Serfs (80% of population)
Conditions worsen under Peter
Very small middle class – Peter seeks to expand

10. Foreign Expansion GOAL - gain warm water ports and land for Russia
– Great Northern War
Russia gains territory from Sweden
Russia gains port on Gulf of Finland
St. Petersburg

11. St. Petersburg Founded in 1703 New Russian capital
“Window to the West”
Built by serfs under harsh conditions
City built on bones

12. Catherine the Great Ruled 1762-1796 German princess
Married Peter III
1762 – Conspired to have him killed
Supported arts, science, literature
Expanded Russian territory

13. Catherine II Seeks to westernize Russian culture
Imports Western paintings, sculptures
Hires Western architects
Good friend of Voltaire, Diderot
Encouraged nobility to speak French

14. Catherine II Restricts practice of torture Improves education
Strengthens local government
Allowed for greater religious freedom
Initially condemns serfdom….

15. Pugachev’s Rebellion 1773 Major, violent serf rebellion
Led by Cossak Emelian Pugachev
Crushed by Russian army
Catherine gives nobles complete control over serfs
Causes further oppression of serfs

16. Peter and Catherine: Outcomes
Russian territory greatly expanded
Russian tsars consolidate absolute power
Conditions of serfs worsen
Russia becomes major European power