21.4: Absolute Rulers of Russia

Russia Today

Former Soviet Region Compared in Latitude & Area with the United States

Russia’s Time Zones

Topography of Russia

Rich Soil of the Steppes

I. Early Russia A. Slavs and Vikings 800s, Vikings settle among Slavs - cultures mix central location Kiev trade w/ Byzantine Empire - convert to Orthodox Christianity - adopt Cyrillic alphabet

Early Byzantine Influences: Orthodox Christianity

Early Byzantine Influences: Cyrillic Alphabet

B. Kievan Russia Vladimir rules - expands North to Baltic Sea and west to Poland ruled by Yaroslav the Wise - forms alliances - establishes legal codes - builds churches

C. Kiev Declines Yaroslav divides land amongst sons  civil war weakened by the Crusades D. Mongol Rule 1200s: nomads from central Asia, begin conquests Mongols rule much of Russia for next 200 years give many freedoms  demand obedience, tribute [tax] nobles support Mongols  provide strong, central gov’t

The Mongols Invade Russia

E. Russia Breaks Free 1100s: Moscow founded 1300s: Ivan I moves leading bishop to Moscow - gains respect 1400s: Ivan III prince - declares himself czar [Caesar] - challenges Mongol rule - armies meet  no fighting  Mongols retreat  Russia freed

II. The First Czar Ivan the Terrible (czar from 1533-1584) 1533: Ivan the Terrible king of Russia power struggles w/ boyars —landowning nobles 1560: Ivan turns against boyars, kills them, seizes land B. Rise of the Romanovs heir is weak, leading to period of turmoil turmoil

21.4: Absolute Rulers of Russia

Characteristics of Absolute Monarchs – Review divine right claims - king chosen by God attempts to control ALL in realm - religion, gov’t, social interaction control over all finances - decides how to spend $ - taxes, tariffs, colonies massive bureaucracies - citizens in gov’t positions [paid by state] standing [full time] armies - benefits vs. burdens

III. Peter the Great Comes to Power The Rise of Peter becomes czar in 1696, begins to reform Russia B. Russia Contrasts with Europe cut off geographically [landlocked nation] culturally isolated, little contact w/ outside world religious differences

III. Peter Rules Absolutely Peter and Westernization 1697: visits western Europe to learn ways returns with goal for Russia - westernization—using western Europe as a model for change Peter’s Reforms - limits power of Orthodox Church [state controlled] - reduces power of strong landowners - modernizes army  European officers train soldiers - simplified alphabet to ease communication and educate nobles

B. Westernizing Russia forced Europeanization of upper classes increase military supply production  factories, iron and copper mining brought European specialists [craftsmen, artists, engineers] to teach Russia’s first newspaper increased taxes adopts Western fashion - i.e. shave beards or pay a tax

C. Establishing St. Petersburg wants warm-water ports on Baltic Sea - easier to travel to Europe - fights Sweden to gain access 1703: begins building new capital called St. Petersburg (window to Europe) - takes many years -many serfs die [“city built on bones”]

1705

1717

1720s

Today

“English Embankment,” St. Petersburg, Russia

Palace Square, St. Petersburg

Church of the Savior on Spilt Blood, St. Petersburg, Russia