The Rise of Russia

Geography Cold Surrounded by water but……no warm water port for trading Forest Grasslands

People Mix of Slavic tribes and Vikings

City of Kiev 1st major city Present day Ukraine

Vladimir Converted Russian people to Christianity Linked emperor with religion Influenced by Byzantine Empire Common trade routes

Begin Contact with Byzantine Orthodox Christianity Cyrillic Alphabet

Mongols invade Between the Crusades and Mongols, Kievan Empire declined Kiev destroyed in 1240 Mongols isolated Russians from Europe

Ivan III Russian Prince Freed Russians from Mongol rule in 1480 Crowned himself “Czar” Proclaimed Russia would be 3rd Rome Moved to Moscow

Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) 1533 1547-1560 –Good Ivan 1560 1584 Bad Ivan Execution of traitors/enemies of boyers (nobles) Secret police

Was Ivan terrible? In 1581, Ivan beat his pregnant daughter-in-law for wearing immodest clothing, which may have caused a miscarriage. His son, also named Ivan , upon learning of this, engaged in a heated argument with his father, which resulted in Ivan striking his son in the head with his pointed staff, causing his son's (accidental) death.

Killed son Accused of poisoning wife Younger son took thrown at death and died without an heir

Romanov Dynasty After years of quarrel, boyars chose next leader, Michael Romanov beginning Romanov dynasty Restored power to government

Isolation Mongol Rule and religious differences had kept Russia from interaction with Europe. (missed Renaissance and Age of Exploration) No Seaport for trade Russians looked to Constantinople for guidance, not Rome

Peter the Great- Absolute Monarch 6’6 Prior to becoming czar at 24, Peter went and studied in the “west” as a commoner Decided it was best to westernize Russia Russia needed warm water port to trade

Westernization by Peter Reduced power of great landowners Introduced potatoes Western clothes and fashions Beard Tax Advanced schools (stressed education) Increased women status Newspaper Fought Sweden for warm water port

St. Petersburg Peter’s “window to the west” New capital of Russia