Ch 5 – Section 4 Absolute Rulers of Russia Main Idea: Peter the Great made many changes in Russia to try to make it more like Western Europe Why It Matters Now: Many Russians today debate whether to model themselves on the West or to focus on traditional Russian culture

Ivan III Ruled from 1462-1505 (43 years) Accomplished 3 things: Conquered area around Moscow Freed Russia from Mongols Centralized Russian government Son was Vasily Grandson was Ivan IV

Ivan the Terrible Came to power at age 3 Boyars tried to control Ivan and kingdom At 16yrs Ivan officially became czar of Russia Married Anastasia (Romanov family)

Ivan’s Moods Good Period (1547-1560) Bad Period (1560-end) Won wars, added land, ruled justly Bad Period (1560-end) Wife died (murdered?) Accused boyars of poisoning her Created his “Special Forces” Hunt down those responsible Thousands die Gave land to “new” nobles loyal to him

Ivan’s Descendents 1581- Ivan killed his eldest son and heir to the Russian thrown Left a weak son to rule instead Dies leaving no heir Imposter tries to take thrown Relatives of the czar start to mysteriously die Russian nobles select the Romanov family to rule Related to Ivan the Terrible and his wife

Peter the Great Peter I finally comes to power Serfs still employed in Russia Serfs were property, sold and bought, given as presents, used by the rich Peter wanted to change Russia, Westernize it to be more like Europe Grand Embassy took place Long visit to Europe with the “heretics” (Catholics/Protestants)

Westernization Continues Peter increased his power to westernize his nation Got rid of Church Patriarch and made church follow his orders Group called the Holy Synod Hurt powerful landowners, took their land and gave it to lower-ranking families Hired European officers to modernize his army Heavily taxed the people to help support all this Increased education of Russians

St. Petersburg Peter built a new city in Swedish land Fought wars to gain this new area Called it St. Petersburg Became a warm weather port to reach Europe and the capital of Russia