Absolute Rulers of Russia Mr. Green

Why This Matters Today This information is important because many Russians today debate whether to model themselves on the West or to focus on traditional Russian culture

The First Czar Ivan IV, known as Ivan The Terrible, came to the throne in 1533 when he was only 3 years old Seized power over the boyars- Russia’s landowning nobles who fought to control Ivan Ivan’s “Good Period”- Added land, gave Russia a code of laws, and ruled justly

Rule by Terror Accusing the Boyars of poisoning his wife, Ivan turned against them Ivan created a police force who wore all black and rode black horses that murdered people who were suspected to be traitors He put fear into everyone when he killed his own son

Romanovs Take Control When Ivan’s youngest son died while in control, he left no heirs Since the Russians had no ruler, the Boyars selected Michael Romanov to take control The Romanovs would control Russia from 1613-1917

Peter the Great Comes to Power Coming to power in 1696, Peter the Great became known as one of Russia’s greatest reformers Had the mind of a genius, a body of a giant, and a temper of a bear

Religion in Russia Unlike being Catholic or Protestant like most of Europe, Russia adopted the Eastern Orthodox Church

Peter Goes to Europe Embarking on a journey to visit Western Europe, Known as the Grand Embassy, Peter wanted to learn how the Europeans were so advanced and longed for Russia to become a fierce power as well

Westernization Using Europe as a model for change To make this a reality in Russia, Peter became an absolute ruler over his people

Westernizing Russia Potatoes introduced Started Russia’s first newspaper Raised women’s status Advanced education

Establishing St. Petersburg To get a ‘window’ to the West, Russia battled Sweden of a piece of the Baltic Coast Named after Peter, St. Petersburg was built over a swamp and is know one of the most important ports in the world