Absolute Rulers of Russia Peter the Great & Catherine the Great

5 reasons why Russia was backward/isolated Asian Influence resulting from Mongol rule. Civilization had reached Russia from Constantinople not from Western Europe. Cyrillic Alphabet was different from Roman one - barrier to communication Religion was Eastern Orthodox rather than RC or Protestant - (no Reformation). Geography - Russia was landlocked. Archangel was the only port and it was frozen for 2/3 of the year.

Time of Troubles Ivan’s dead that’s terrible I’m in charge now Another day another czar We’re being invaded again

Michael Romanov 1613 the National Assembly (DUMA) elected Michael Romanov as Czar. The Dynasty lasted until years! We’re here to stay

How the Romanovs became despots Any groups that elected representatives were banned. Old Believers who opposed religious changes were repressed Made friends with the Cossacks. Made serfdom the way of life for majority of people That Should give me control

Romanov Dynasty ( ) Romanov Family Crest

Romanov Dynasty ( )

Peter the Great He was a Russian giant - 6 feet 6 inches tall Violent temper and was capable of great acts of cruelty Strong willed and ruthless. Absolute despot

Peter the Mechanic Peter the great had an obsession with clocks

Russia Under Peter I

Window to the West

Execution of the Streltsy

Westernization He remodeled Russia along western European Lines Reorganized his army and equipped it with better weapons. War with Sweden gained access to the Baltic Sea. In the new territory he built a new capital city. In 1703 he moved to St Petersburg - bringing the government closer to western Europe and giving him a “window to the west”

St Petersburg He moved the capital to the West of Russia

Western dress was imposed on the nobles Women no longer isolated - more rights Biggest changes in trade, finance, industry, & govt. Imposed taxes on everything - beards! Followed absolutist ideas of French King - Louis XIV - highly centralized government. Orthodox Church fell under his control Created new service ranks for nobles Imposed feudal system on Russia when it was declining in western Europe

Peter Cuts the Beards of His Boyars

Russia & Sweden After the Great Northern War

Battle of Poltava (1709)

War with Sweden Supply of troops Conscription Census Experts to train the troops Weapons for troops Mines & forges developed Transportation developed Nobles required to work in these areas Uneducated nobles had to get an education

Under his leadership Russia became a great power.

Catherine the Great Catherine II

Queen by Marriage Born Princess Sophia Augusta Frederika of Germany. At 16 she married Peter the Great’s grandson who became Peter III in 1762 He was murdered 6 months later by nobles Catherine seized the throne and ruled until 1796

How did she become Great Influenced by the West She was a great supporter of the arts, science and theater. Nobles become more western and start to speak French - lose touch with peasants Nakaz - Code of 256 laws replaced Moscovite code of laws

Foreign Policy In a war against the Turks she won control of northern shore of Black Sea and a protectorate over the Crimea. Potemkin Villages - fake settlements to fool CII as to value of her new conquest. (term used by judges who dissent from common opinion) 3 Partitions of Poland 1772,1793, 1795 she gained the largest slice of Poland for Russia, with Austria and Prussia also taking some. In 1741 Russia had crossed the Bering Strait and established a colony in Alaska