Russia’s expansion

Russian Czars Increase Power Ivan IV – “Ivan the Terrible” Came to power in 1533, he was only 3 years old. Struggle for power – Boyars fought to control Ivan. Boyar - landowning noble. Ivan – at 16 seized power and named himself czar. Which means??? Title meant Caesar.

Ivan the Terrible

Ivan the Terrible 1547 – 1560: known as Ivan’s good period - gained land - ruled justly 1560: Bad period… Dum dum dum dum! Who died??? Anastasia, his wife

Bad Period Accused Boyars of poisoning his wife. Police force = hunt down traitors and kill them. - dressed in black and rode black horses. Thousands of Boyars died. Boyar’s land was seized and given to new class of nobles who had to be loyal.

Prince Andrew Kurbsky “In front of your army have I marched – and marched again; and no dishonor have I brought upon you, but only brilliant victories… But to you, O czar, was all this as naught; rather do you show us your intolerable wrath and bitterest hatred, and furthermore, burnings ( a means of torture). Is he happy or upset? What class do you think Andrew was a part of? Was he loyal to Ivan? What does this say about many of the loyalties of the Boyar?

Ivan made a terrible mistake…. 1581 – Killed his oldest son. Died 3 years later. His second weak son was left to rule.

Rise of the Romanovs 1613- 1917 Ivan’s son both physically and mentally weak. Died without an heir. What do you think happens now??? Turmoil = “Times of Trouble” Boyars vs. heirs of czars Heir of czars kept dying “mysteriously” 1613 - Representatives from the major cities chose an heir – Michael Romanov.

Peter the Great Took power in 1696. One of Russia’s greatest reformers.

Russia’s difference from Europe Still a land of Boyars and serfs. Serfdoms lasted until the mid 1800s. Most Boyars did not know about Western Europe. - Mongol rule cut them off from the Renaissance and Age of Explorations. Geographic barriers. Religion: Eastern Orthodox Christians. - Viewed Catholics and protestants as heretics.

Peter Visits the West 1697 – At age 25, Peter embarked on the “Grand Embassy”. Goal – Wanted to learn about European customs and industrial techniques. Brought 200 servants and 55 boyars. First to travel to the west and be among the “heretics”. Kept his identity a secret. - Wore plain clothes and labored as a ship’s carpenter for 4 months. His identity was not well hidden. Travelled to England and Austria before going home.

Peter Visits the West

Peter rules absolutely After trip wanted to compete both economically and militarily. Westernization: Idea of using Western Europe as a model for change. Peter saw it as a change to better Russia.

Reforms Peter increased his power to as an absolute ruler. Russian Orthodox church under state control. - abolished the patriarch or head of church and formed a group called Holy Synod. Like Ivan IV, Peter lowered power of land owners. Recruited low ranking families and gave them land based on loyalty. Modernized army: hired European officers. - His army would reach 200,000. Imposed heavy taxes.

Westernizing Russia Introduced potatoes, became a staple of the Russian diet. Started Russia’s first newspaper and edited the first issue himself. Raised women’s status by letting them attend social gatherings. Ordered nobles to give up their traditional clothes for Western fashions.

Nice little trim 

A new capital 1703: End of a 21 year war with Sweden. Gained land on the Neva river near the Baltic sea. Named the new capital St. Petersburg after his patron saint. Building the capital cost around 100,000 lives. Swampy conditions

Fun Facts Peter’s first wife cheated on him. He had the lover’s head cut off and forced her to have the head in her room in a jar for the rest of her life.

Legacy of Peter Died in 1725. By that time he raised the status of Russia among the European powers. Now a forced to be reckoned with in Europe.

Supports Westernization Peter the Great Supports Westernization Increases Russia’s Military Power Establishes New Capital Adopts New Technology Add this graph to your notes!!!!! You will see it again!