Rulers of Russia and Central Europe Main Idea The czars of Russia struggled with the westernization of their empire, while powerful families battled for control of Central Europe. Reading Focus How did Ivan IV strengthen the Russian monarchy? What reforms did Peter the Great make in Russia? How did the rule of Catherine the Great affect Russia? What states formed in Central Europe in the 1600s and 1700s?

The Monarchy of Ivan IV In the 1500s Russia far behind western Europe in technical advancement and centralized government Russia run by church officials and boyars, or landowners Had conservative viewpoints 1546, young prince claimed title of czar, put Russia on different course Title was version of Latin word caesar, or emperor New czar, Ivan, intended to rule without limits on power His own madness created chaos Rule Without Limits During early years, Ivan IV made many reforms—created general council that included merchants, lower-level nobles Promoted military officers on merit; drew up legal code Expanded Russia’s borders, trade Reforms of Ivan IV As a result of such achievements, the years from 1547 to 1563 are known as Ivan’s “good period.”

Ivan the Terrible Private Police Force During 1560s, Ivan changed Strict policies, violent actions sealed reputation as Ivan the Terrible Suspicious of closest advisors; sent them away, killed supporters Was convinced wife was murdered, people conspiring against him Private Police Force Created private police force to investigate, punish opposition Men dressed in black, rode black horses Controlled almost half of Russia’s territory in Ivan’s name Brutally punished anyone who spoke out against czar’s policies

Descent into Mental Illness Last Years of Ivan 1581, killed his own son, next in line to be czar Descent into mental illness seemed complete Descent into Mental Illness Death of Ivan’s son may have been accident, but left Russia without heir to throne Uncertainty about succession, economic problems, foreign invasions made chaotic period known as Time of Troubles 1613, Michael, relative of Ivan’s first wife, crowned czar; first of Romanov dynasty Dynasty lasted until 1917 Time of Troubles

Peter the Great Early Rule Building a Navy About 70 years later, Peter I crowned czar. Became known as Peter the Great for his efforts to transform Russia into a modern state. 1682, Peter became czar while a child; sister ruled in his place Age 17, removed sister from throne, took power for himself Tall, strong man Had strong personality, boundless energy One of first acts, stormed Azov, Black Sea port held by Turks Early Rule Attack disaster, but inspired Peter to build navy Labored side-by-side with thousands of carpenters Built hundreds of ships New navy took up Azov campaign Turks surrendered Building a Navy

Modernization and Reform Westernization Peter realized country needed to modernize to catch up with rest of Europe Wanted westernization to bring elements of Western culture to Russia 1697, journeyed to western Europe to see what Russia needed to modernize New Skills Peter traveled in disguise, was sometimes recognized anyway Learned hands-on skills, especially shipbuilding Recruited European experts to bring skills to Russia Rebellion Trip cut short by rebellion of streltsy, military corps with political influence Thought streltsy wanted sister on throne; had members tortured, executed Disbanded streltsy, organized more modern army

Reforms of Peter I Cues from West Modern Russia Modernized army Brought church under state control Built up Russian industry Started first newspaper in Russia Sponsored new schools Modernized calendar, promoted officials on service, not social status Supported education; believed Russians needed to learn more about science from West Wanted Russians to adopt European-style clothing, grooming Cut off boyars’ traditional long coats, beards to look European Cues from West Not always successful, but considered founder of modern Russia for efforts Modern Russia

Peter also founded a new city St. Petersburg Peter also founded a new city Early 1700s, fought Sweden to acquire warm-water port Other ports choked by ice much of year Port farther south on Baltic Sea to keep Russia open to western trade all year, connect Russia to west On land won from Sweden, Peter built new capital, St. Petersburg Russia’s government moved to new city Featured Western-style architecture

Recall Name three ways in which Peter the Great attempted to westernize Russia. Answer(s): by encouraging men to shave off their beards, encouraging people to adopt European styles of dress, building a new capital with Western-style architecture

Catherine the Great Russia’s next important ruler was actually a German princess who came to Russia to marry a grandson of Peter the Great. She became known as Catherine the Great. Husband became Czar Peter III Catherine and many nobles grew angry at his incompetent, weak rule Catherine seized power, was declared czarina of Russia Takes Power Catherine saw self as true successor of Peter the Great Worked to build on his westernization efforts To emphasize legitimacy of her claim, built statue honoring Peter Honoring Peter I Influenced by European thinkers—believed strong, wise ruler could improve life for subjects Reformed legal, education systems Removed restrictions on trade; promoted science, the arts Early Reforms

Challenges to Catherine’s Rule Conflicts Catherine tried to reform Russia, was distracted by conflict Faced war in Poland, where people wanted freedom from Russian influence 1768, Ottoman Empire joined Polish cause War and Rebellion Eventually won war, took over half of Poland, territory on Black Sea While war raging, Catherine faced popular rebellion inside Russia Man claiming to be Peter III traveled countryside, leading ragtag army Strengthening the Monarchy In the end, man captured, beheaded, rebellion put down Rebellion convinced Catherine she needed to strengthen monarchy in rural areas; put local governments in hands of landowners, nobles

Catherine the Great

Monarchy and Conflict in Central Europe 1500s, 1600s Central European rulers never became absolute monarchs Holy Roman Empire headed by single emperor, but did not have total authority Imperial Power Holy Roman Empire included dozens of small states Each had own ruler who fought vigorously against increased imperial power Hapsburg Family Since 1450s, all Holy Roman Emperors came from single family—the Hapsburgs 1600s, Thirty Years’ War began Continent-Wide Affair Attempt by Hapsburg emperor to exert authority launched war Alliances between Hapsburgs, other European monarchs, made war continent-wide affair

The Thirty Years War Catholics against Protestants Religious Revolt War began as religious dispute 1618, official representing Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II, a Catholic, ordered two Protestant churches in Prague be shut down Religious Revolt Local Protestants furious, threw emperor’s representatives out palace windows onto rubbish heap Emperor’s attempt to control religion sparked revolt throughout region Rebellion Grew Nobles from 2 German states rebelled against emperor; nobles from other states soon joined them Rulers of other countries became involved as well

Choosing Sides Treaty and Toleration Monarchs of Spain, also members of Hapsburg family, joined war on Ferdinand’s side King of France, Spain’s rival, joined Protestant opposition Kings of Denmark, Sweden also joined on Protestant side Treaty and Toleration War dragged on until 1648, had devastating effects on Germany Two sides agreed to Treaty of Westphalia to end war Treaty extended religious toleration to both Catholics, Protestants Also reduced even more the power of the Holy Roman Emperor Strengthened rulers of states within it

Austria and Prussia Among the rulers who gained the most from the Treaty of Westphalia were the leaders of Austria and Prussia. Austria was governed by the Hapsburg family, while Prussia’s rulers came from a rival family, the Hohenzollerns. 1740, Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI died without male heir Before he died, approved document called Pragmatic Sanction, stating empire could be passed to female heir Pragmatic Sanction Charles VI’s daughter Maria Theresa could now take throne Hohenzollerns had different plan Frederick II of Prussia, Frederick the Great, seized Silesia Offered Maria Theresa an alliance Reforms of Ivan IV Frederick promised Maria Theresa to help her husband become the Holy Roman Emperor.

Monarchy and Conflict in Central Europe Maria Theresa turned Frederick’s offer down, War of Austrian Succession broke out, 1740 Spain, France, two German states entered war on Prussia’s side Each hoped to gain territory 1748, with so much against her, Maria Theresa asked for peace Prussia kept Silesia, putting Prussia in position of real power

Continued Rivalry Another War Prussia Rebounds Prussia’s victory only intensified rivalry between Austria and Hungary Not long until war broke out again 1756, Seven Years’ War began On one side Prussia, Great Britain; on the other Austria, France, Russia Another War During first part of war, Prussia on verge of defeat; at one point Austrian, Russian forces occupied capital of Berlin Russia pulled out, allowing Prussia to regain strength, eventually becoming strongest military power in Europe 1763, war ended, but rivalry far from over; struggle for control of Central Europe continued Prussia Rebounds

What were three wars that affected Central Europe? Recall What were three wars that affected Central Europe? Answer(s): Thirty Years’ War, War of the Austrian Succession, Seven Years’ War