Peter I and Catherine II Russian Absolutism Peter I and Catherine II

Russian Isolation Why was Russia so isolated prior to the 18th century? Cultural Cyrillic alphabet Religious Russian Orthodox Geographical Landlocked

Who Controls the Sea? Sweden and Poland control the Baltic Sea Turks control the Black Sea Poland controls rivers on which trade occurred

The Romanovs 1613 – Michael Romanov - Tsar Romanov dynasty rules Russia for 300 years Last Tsar – Nicholas II 1918 – Nicholas II and his family murdered

Peter the Great Ruled 1689-1725 “Westernized” Russia Expanded Russian territory Created Russian navy Founded St. Petersburg

Peter I 1697 – Peter travels to Western Europe Goals: Observe west European culture and politics Learn about west European shipbuilding, science

Westernizing Russia Social Nobles forced to dress in Western clothes Military Creates standing army, first navy Religious Controls Russian Orthodox Church Economic Encourages middle class professions

Peter I: Class System “Service Nobility” Title dependent on service to tsar Serfs (80% of population) Conditions worsen under Peter Very small middle class – Peter seeks to expand

Foreign Expansion GOAL - gain warm water ports and land for Russia 1700-1721 – Great Northern War Russia gains territory from Sweden Russia gains port on Gulf of Finland St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg Founded in 1703 New Russian capital “Window to the West” Built by serfs under harsh conditions City built on bones

Catherine the Great Ruled 1762-1796 German princess 1744 - Married Peter III 1762 – Conspired to have him killed Supported arts, science, literature Expanded Russian territory

Catherine II Seeks to westernize Russian culture Imports Western paintings, sculptures Hires Western architects Good friend of Voltaire, Diderot Encouraged nobility to speak French

Catherine II Restricts practice of torture Improves education Strengthens local government Allowed for greater religious freedom Initially condemns serfdom….

Pugachev’s Rebellion 1773 Major, violent serf rebellion Led by Cossak Emelian Pugachev Crushed by Russian army Catherine gives nobles complete control over serfs Causes further oppression of serfs

Peter and Catherine: Outcomes Russian territory greatly expanded Russian tsars consolidate absolute power Conditions of serfs worsen Russia becomes major European power