Absolute Rules of Russia 5.4 Absolute Rules of Russia

Ivan the Terrible Ivan IV comes to throne at 3-years old Boyars (Russian landowning nobles) try to control Ivan Ivan gains complete control at 16-years old Names himself czar (caesar) After wife dies, he rules by terror

Ivan the Terrible Accused boyars of poisoning his wife Begins reign of terror Forms secret police to murder traitors Executes many boyars, their families, & peasants working boyar lands Ivan, in a rage, unintentionally kills his oldest son and heir to the throne Weak son takes over throne

Peter the Great Romanov family (related to Ivan the Terrible’s wife) chosen to control Russia (1613-1917) Peter the Great eventually becomes czar (1696) Russia very agricultural society Boyars treat peasants like property Russia isolated from western Europe Mongols cut off contact with Europe Only seaport covered in ice most of the year – no visitors

Peter the Great Religious differences also separate Russia from Europe (Eastern Orthodox) Peter has fascination of modern technology Believes Russia needs a warm water port Travels to western Europe to learn about their culture Believes in westernization – changing Russian culture to match that of western Europe

Peter the Great When he returns he reforms Russia Brings church under his control Reduces power of landowners Hires European officers Starts 1st Russian newspaper Raises status of women Introduces potatoes Opens schools for arts, sciences, navigation Forces nobles to dress in western clothes & shave their beards

Peter the Great Peter wants seaport to encourage travel to and from Russia Fights Sweden for control of St. Petersburg St. Petersburg built on swampy land Disease easily spread Working conditions terrible St. Petersburg becomes busy port and helps modernize Russia