Objective(s)

1. Objective(s) • Trace the political, social, and cultural developments of early modern Russia. • Contrast the development of Russia with that of Western Europe.

2. Early Modern Russia: 1450-1800

3. I. Liberation • Beginning in 14th century, Russian elite began pushing for independence from Tatar (Mongol) control • 1462 – Ivan the Great (Ivan III) freed large section of Russia • Established new government with strong emphasis on military power • 1480 – Moscow freed from Tatar control, independent Russia further expands • Ivan the Great married niece of last Byzantine emperor • Considered Russia to be third Rome • Named himself tsar*, or caesar *commonly spelled czar

4. Early Russian Expansion

5. II. Ivan the Terrible (Ivan IV) • 1533 - Ivan IV becomes Russia’s ruler • Placed great emphasis on controlling the boyars (landowning aristocrats) • Earned his nickname by having many boyars killed • Was paranoid, accused them of poisoning his wife • Continued Russian expansion efforts • Recruited cossacks, or peasant-adventures, to migrate to newly seized lands • By 16th century – captured lands surrounding Caspian Sea and western Siberia • Contact with the West • Ivan invited Western European artists to design/create buildings/art • Trade began between Russia and Western Europe

6. II. Continued… • After death • No male heir • Time of Troubles – boyars fought over control • 1613 – an assembly of boyars chose a member of the Romanov family to rule • Romanov dynasty strengthened power of tsars and increased contact with West • Lasted until 1917 • Alexis Romanov abolished boyar assemblies, gained powers of Russian church • Dissident religious conservatives, or Old Believers, were exiled to Siberia

7. III. Peter the Great • A year after taking power in 1696, embarked on “Grand Embassy” – long trip to Western Europe • Sought to westernize Russia politically, commercially, and militarily • Brought Russian Orthodox Church under state control • Limited power of nobles • Hired Western European officers to train armies • Introduced potatoes • Started Russia’s first newspaper • Raised status of women by having them attend social gatherings and ending some older marriage traditions • Ordered boyars to wear Western fashions • Advanced education by opening schools

8. IV. Catherine the Great • Prussian princess, converted to Orthodox Christianity in order to marry into Russia’s ruling family • Installed as Empress in 1762, during plot to remove Peter III • Further Westernization • Invited French philosophers and European artists to Russia • However, was not open to ideas of revolution that would eventually take hold throughout much of Western Europe • Put down Pugachev rebellion, extended powers of central government • Further expansion • Partition of Poland – divided among Russia, Austria, and Prussia, between years of 1772 – 1795 • Expanded Siberian colonies • Claimed territory in what is today Alaska

9. Expansion Under Catherine the Great

10. V. Peasant Life • After Tatar control was ended, peasant farmers had to continue to accept servile status to landowning nobles • Serfdom was way to satisfy nobles and control peasant population • Throughout 17th and 18th centuries, peasant rights declined • Could not legally escape serfdom (status was hereditary) • Serfs were sold along with land • Peasant unrest • Increase in commercial activities and wealth leads to unrest • 17th century onwards – Russia experienced increased resistance from peasant population

11. 5-Minute Response • In what ways was Russia different, in terms of development, from that of its neighbors in Western Europe? What factors were present in Russia, but not in W. Europe (and vise-versa)?

12. Chapter 18 Key Vocabulary • Ivan III • Ivan IV • Cossacks • Time of Troubles • Romanov dynasty • Old Believers • Peter I • Catherine the Great • Pugachev Rebellion • Partition of Poland