The Rise of Russia C18 EQs: What factors led to the emergence of the Russian Empire? Who led efforts to Westernize Russia?

Introduction The Rise of Russia involved very limited commercial exchange (unlike Europe) Mongol rule fostered a new level of independence in the 15th century and Russia pushed eastward conquering central and eventually Eastern Asia all the way to the Pacific Russia experienced limited interaction with the West early on until the early 18th century Russia was rivaled by regional states like Poland and the Baltics Russia was still dominated by an air of Byzantine culture and influence (though the empire was long since gone)

Revival and Expansion Moscow took the lead to liberate Russia from the Mongols in the late 15th century Mongol occupation did not change Russian culture but it weakened it and changed Russian economy into strictly agrarian (no trade)…even weakened literacy Ivan III (the Great) developed a military government/influence coupled with nationalism and Orthodox religious fervor to create a Russian “manifest destiny” Ivan III dreamed to turn Russia into the third Rome and took the title Tsar (Caesar) His son, Ivan IV (the Terrible) continued this policy…he killed off nobles (boyars) to consolidate his power

Revival and Expansion The tsars focused on taking lands away from their former Mongol masters in Central Asia Both Ivans recruited peasant pioneers (cossacks) to conquer and settle this territory in Central & Eastern Asia…most of this territory was vast open and fertile plains which would be used to expand Russia’s agricultural economy Acquisition of territory gave the tsars the ability to gain noble loyalty by offering land grants, however, nobility continued the institute of serfdom to level that it was slavery Expansion into the east created cultural interaction, though the Russians allowed these people to retain cultural identity under Russian rule (much like the Mongols did)

Early Western Contact and Romanov Policy The Ivans began a limited contact with the West, establishing diplomatic relations in an effort to improve Russia’s economy British merchants traded manufactured goods for furs and raw materials Italian artists and architects brought in However, Ivan IV died without an heir and the Time of Troubles (20-30 year civil war) ensued where boyars attempted to gain control of Russia Western nations like Sweden and Poland captured Russia’s Baltic territories In 1613, Michael Romanov was chosen by the boyars as tsar and the Time of Troubles ended, with Romanov restoring internal order, expelling foreign invaders (fought war w/Poland) and interests Romanov’s son Alexis abolished the boyar assemblies and instituted state control of the Orthodox Church…began the infamous pattern of exiling people to Siberia

Peter the Great Son of Alexis The Great “Westernizer” of Russia…known for traveling to other European kingdoms in secret to learn their ways Was a brutal autocrat, crushed dissent mainly by murdering the dissenters…was not interested in the emerging parliamentary governments, rather preferred despotic direct rule Fought wars with the Ottomans and the Swedes for territory One major gain was Russia’s “window to the Baltic” where Peter built his new capital, St. Petersburg and moved Russian rule to that locale, thus establishing a new era of contact with the West FILM CLIP

The Impact of Peter the Great Despite despotic rule, Westernization did bring a wave of political, social and economic changes to Russia Bureaucracy and military were modeled after the West…a Russian navy was built…with the boyar council gone, Peter set up advisors under his direct control…a system of governors was established…laws and taxes were created that put more pressure on the serfs (peasants)…Nobles had to shave their beards and dress like westerners (if they did not they were taxed)…Peter brought technical and scientific education to his elites These changes, however, were met with some measure of resistance…and an eventual build up to revolution/rebellion among the peasantry as they saw no benefits from Westernization

Catherine the Great After several decades of weak rule, Catherine (a German princess) conspired to overthrow her “retarded” husband (Peter III) She continued Peter the Great plans and style of rule, strictly autocratic, quelled all dissent and rebellion (Pugachev’s) She used sexual relations to get her way in European affairs She was a Westernizer and brought the European enlightenment (particularly French) to Russia, but still maintained strong central authority (Instruction of 1767) Was an expansionist (conquered the Caucuses region, claimed Alaska, successfully partitioned Poland among 3 European kingdoms)

Themes in Russia: Serfdom Russian society embraced serfdom and the exploitation of the peasantry, while the rest of Europe rapidly advanced socially Russia’s peasantry was used to the good life before and during Mongol rule, however, the despotism of the nobility led to serfdom becoming hereditary (1649)…serfs were treated like slaves unlike those in a feudal system…the serfs produced food for the masses and for sale while nobles/landlords kept the profits and bought luxury goods for themselves…peasants remained poor and illiterate, living off the few spoils of their noble masters The only thing the peasants had were ties amongst villages, small political and religious entities that dictated their daily lives Russia thus remained largely a rural agrarian society, with few cities and most people were tied to the land on which they were born

Themes in Russia: Trade and Dependence There were few artisans who produced goods…merchants that did exist traded furs and other light manufactured goods…though Peter the Great increased these areas of economic development, the nobility prevented the emergence of a strong mercantile class Russia’s agricultural wealth and efforts, though backwards and limited, still managed to keep the nations economy afloat, even in times of famine and hunger

Themes in Russia: Social Unrest Serfs did eventually start to rebel against the system…they didn’t stay ignorant and illiterate forever! Western Europeans cried for an end to serfdom in Russia and attempted to educate the serfs of Russia on democratic and capitalist ideas…most rebellions and foreign intrusions were dealt with harshly Emelian Pugachev’s led a rebellion in the 1770s promising end to serfdom, low taxes and abolition of the landed nobility…he was chopped into many pieces in Moscow

Russia and Eastern Europe The Eastern European societies, once influenced by Byzantium and Russia, began to fall into the sphere of Western influence Balkan states in Romania and Bulgaria fell to the Ottomans, Russia’s new enemy Czech and Slovak along with parts of Poland were absorbed by the Prussians, yet parts of Eastern Poland did become part of Russia Hungary and Bohemia were absorbed into the Hapsburg Austro-Hungarian Empire

This Week Tuesday: Document Analysis Wednesday: Leader Comparison Thursday: Change Analysis Friday: TEST on Chapter 18, notes due!

Change Analysis: Russia BEFORE and AFTER Westernization Remember to identify changes AND continuities…we will discuss/go over after 25 minutes or so Assignments: Political: Jon Schwinn, Elizabeth Ewing, FRANK! Social: Ethan Lee, Ben Hearn Economic: Alex Smith, Molly Cain Artistic, Intellectual, Technological: Keiasha Ricketts, Cassie Wooters Military, Geographic, Demographic: Kyle Pepper, Deronte Frisby NO RELIGION (total continuity) OR WOMEN (not discussed in any real way)!