Russian Czars Increase Power

Ivan III 1462-1505 Laid foundation for absolute monarchy Conquered territory around Moscow Liberated Russia from Mongols Centralized Russian government Succeeded by son Vasily – his son, Ivan IV

Ivan IV 3 yrs. old when he came to throne During early years, boyars fought for power and control of Ivan At 16 he seized power for himself; crowned himself czar Married Anastasia, related to old Romanov boyar family

Ivan’s Good Period 1547- 1560 Victories Added land Gave Russia a law code Ruled justly

Ivan’s Bad Period after 1560 Anastasia died; Ivan accused boyars of poisoning her and he turned against the boyars He organized his own police force to hunt down traitors; they dressed in black and rode black horses; executed many boyars and peasants – known as the oprichniki He seized boyar lands and gave it to a new class of nobles loyal to him Ivan killed his oldest son in 1581 during a quarrel

“Time of Troubles” Ivan’s remaining son was left to rule He was mentally and physically weak; incapable of ruling He died without an heir Russia went into a time of turmoil as boyars struggled for power Heirs of czars died mysteriously; imposters tried to claim the throne

Rise of the Romanovs 1613: Russian city representatives met to choose a new czar They chose Michael Romanov- grandnephew of Ivan’s wife, Anastasia Romanov dynasty ruled for 300 years 1613-1917 The Romanov’s restored order to Russia; paved way for absolute rule

Peter the Great of Russia He shared rule at first with feeble- minded half –brother 1696: became sole ruler Russia was a land of boyars and serfs when Peter took the throne

Russia’s Contrast to Europe Serfdom lasted longer in Russia than Western Europe (mid- 1800s) Serfs in Russia sold with the land – could be presents or payments of debt Mongol rule had cut Russia off from the Renaissance and Age of Exploration Geographic barriers also isolated Russia – only seaport, Archangel, which had ice most of the year Westerners who came to Russia stayed in a separate part of Moscow – ex.: The German Quarter

Russia’s Religion Russians followed Eastern Orthodoxy – becomes Russian Orthodox Church Catholics and Protestants were seen as heretics to the Russians

Peter Visits the West Peter regularly visited the German quarter of Moscow – he was fascinated by modern tools and machines there Peter also had a passion for ships and the sea He believed Russia’s future was dependent on a warm-water port if they were to compete with the modern states of Europe 1697: he embarked on the “Grand Embassy” – a long visit to western Europe to learn about customs and technologies. He took 200 servants and 55 boyars with him; he kept his identity a secret and worked as a ship’s carpenter; until he was recognized - he was over 61/2 ft. tall.

Peter’s Reforms Peter’s goal for Russia became westernization Russians were not happy. To make changes above the dissatisfaction of his people, he needed to increase his powers as absolute monarch The first thing he did was bring the Russian Orthodox Church under his control - he abolished the office of patriarch - he set up the Holy Synod under his direction

He reduced the power of the landowners - he recruited able men from low-ranking families and promoted them to positions of authority; gave them land - they owed much to czar and remained loyal to him alone

He modernized the army - hired European officers - men were drilled with European tactics and weapons - made being a soldier a lifetime job – professional - numbered 200,000 by Peter’s death - imposed heavy taxes to pay for army

Westernizing Russia Introduced potatoes into diet Initiated the first newspaper Raise women’s status Ordered nobles to wear Western fashions and shave beards

Peter’s “Window on the West” St. Petersburg

Peter wanted a seaport easier to travel to the West He fought Sweden to gain piece of the Baltic coast – took 21 years of war He gained St. Petersburg – his “window on the West” in 1703 He forced serfs to work to build the city 25,000 – 100,000 people died from working conditions and diseases He ordered many Russian nobles to live there By time of his death – Russia was a power to be reckoned with

Catherine the Great Peter had no heir (he had killed his only son who had disapproved of his westernization) This set off a power struggle within the Romanov family Russian nobles reasserted their independence Catherine was a German princess who wed the heir to Russian throne at 15

She became Russian and won the loyalty of the people 1762: Russian army officers loyal to her murdered her husband, Peter III – the question was “Was she involved?” She was an efficient ruler: she reorganized government, codified laws, promoted state education for boys and girls She embraced western ideas: encouraged French language and customs; a student of Enlightenment thinkers

Catherine’s Absolutism Often ruthless Exempted boyars from taxes Increased boyar’s power over their serfs Peasants (serfs) rebelled; she repressed them and life became unbearably harsh

Catherine’s Expansionism She was determined to spread Russia’s borders Russo-Turkish War (1774) – Russia’s war against the Ottomans gave her a warm water port on the Black Sea 1770s: Poland became a target 1772: Russia, Prussia, and Austria agreed to partition Poland 1793: Catherine took eastern Poland after further partitioning 1795: Austria, Prussia, and Russia took a final partitioning; Poland disappeared from the political map