1. The Rise of Russia

2. Notes
Russia’s Expansion and Development ’s

3. Russia’s Expansionist Politics
Initially, Russia’s emergence as a new power in Eastern Europe and Central Asia depended on it gaining freedom from Mongol or Tatar control
Cultural and economic disadvantage under Mongol control
Under Ivan III, a large part of Russia was freed after 1462
Ivan organized strong army
Government had a military emphasis

4. Ivan III
Ivan the Great married the niece of the last Byzantine emperor.
Why?
Loved the idea of Russia as the “third Rome” which is why he called himself “tsar” or caesar, the “autocrat (absolute ruler) of all the Russias.”

5. Russian society: Late 1500s
Most Russians remained Christians despite Mongol influence
Mongol period reduces the vigor of Russian cultural life (example: lowers level of literacy among priesthood).
Economically, trade was down. Russia had become purely agricultural economy based on peasant labor

6. Ivan IV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOTIGeUyVSs
As you watch the video, write down as many reasons as you can on why he was called “Ivan Terrible”

7. Patterns of Expansion
Territorial expansion focused on central Asia push Mongols aways
Ivan III and IV recruited peasants to migrate to newly seized lands and become a sort of pioneer (Cossacks). They were involved in daring military feats on horseback in this process.
Russia does create trading connections with new Asian territories and their neighbors
The age old central Asia famous for nomadic groups that constantly invade is now eliminated by Russian expansion and the Ottoman Empire (Essentially old Byzantine Empire).

8. Time of Troubles Ivan IV dies without an heir. (1584)
New power claims by the boyars(landowning nobles)
Sweden and Poland attack Russian territories
1613, assembly of boyars choose a member of the Romanov family as tsar
Romanov family rules Russia until 1917 (Russian Revolution)

9. Russia’s first Westernization
End of 17th century Russia is one of the great land empires
Unique becomes it remains agricultural
Reign of Peter I (some say Peter the Great)- built up tsarist control and expands Russian Territory
He is also very interested in “Westernizing” Russia
Creates new city of St. Petersburg with western architecture and scientific advancements

10. Peter I “Westernization” was it really a good thing?
Creates Navy
Gets rid of the council of nobles/replaces with advisors he controls
Tax system- more burden on peasantry
Landlords awarded for using serfs in mining and industries
Nobles shaved beards
To him westernization meant more autocratic rule for him
Resentment starts forming in a BIG WAY!

11. Legacy and Death of Peter the Great
Peter does not completely transform Russia to mirror that of the west
No interest in trade
Makes more autocratic which is being questioned in the West
Death
1724- Peter the Great dies
Followed by a time of weak tsars
Only living relative, Elizabeth, takes power
1761, Peter III, nephew of Peter I daughter, reaches the throne but his wife is the powerful one….

12. Catherine the Great

13. Catherine the Great (1729–1796) 1762-1796 Empress of Russia
German princess who saw marriage as a way to escape from her controlling mother
Could speak German, French, and Russian
Empress Elizabeth arranged the marriage to Peter
Unhappy marriage
1761- Coup to dethrone Peter
Dies of a stroke in 1796
Russia controls largest land mass in world-as of 1800 being compared to United States of America

14. Catherine’s Reforms and Retractions
Advocate of the arts
Returned the church’s land and property
Wrote the "Nakaz," on how the country's legal system should run
Pushed for capital punishment and torture to be outlawed
Calling for every man to be declared equal.
Wanted the feudal system changed
Serfs: workers who were owned by landowners for life.
Defeated by the Senate
Legislative Commission:
Brought delegates together from different social and economic classes
Later in her rule, with the Charter of the Nobility in 1785, Catherine made an about-face on policy and greatly augmented upper-class power, with a large amount of citizens forced into the oppressive conditions of serfdom. 

15. Exit Slip Evaluative statement.
Each of the rulers today were called “the Great” or “the Terrible.”
Write one sentence, using four facts from today, that proves their name.