To do: 1. Put homework in basket 2. Grab copies of 4 handouts up front (please do not write on them!) 3. Answer warm-up: How did Louis XIV demonstrate the characteristics of an absolute ruler (be specific!)?

History For years, Russia isolated from Europe Practiced Eastern Orthodox Christianity – taught to them by Byzantines – Also taught the Cyrillic alphabet by Byzantines – Mongol expansion stopped Russia from going through any of Renaissance Russia didn’t trade with Europe, Europe didn’t trade with Russia - isolated

Russian Feudalism  In the 1600s, Russia still very feudalist Europe had been done with feudalism for hundreds of years – lasts in Russia until mid 1800s Serfs were ruled by boyars (Russian nobles)  Feudalism prevented Russia from modernizing like Europe did in Renaissance

A country cursed by its geography  Look at this map – what is wrong with Russia’s geography?

Problems with Russia’s geography  Cut off from ocean – no warm-water ports  Cut off from Europe – trade difficult  All the rivers go north-south – don’t connect lands  Geography makes it tough for Russia to get involved in mercantilism with Europe

Differences between Russia and Western Europe RussiaWestern Europe Labor Religion Geography

Romanov Dynasty Czar – Russian emperor Russian czars, or leaders, who ruled from Ivan the Terrible – absolute ruler from 1533 to 1581 – Used fear, secret police to keep people in line Most famous absolute ruler is Peter the Great

Peter the Great  1680s – Peter the Great visits Europe  Develops idea of westernization – making Russia more like Europe Peter feels Russia is being left behind, needs to modernize

Westernization Different things Peter did to become more like Europe – Modernized the army – hired Europeans to train it – Controlled Russian Orthodox Church – Began schools in arts and sciences – Introduced the potato – Improved status of women – Started Russia’s first newspaper

St. Petersburg Peter believes Russia needs a warm-water port to trade with Europe – orders construction of city of St. Petersburg Fights a war to gain land on Baltic Sea, has city built on swamp – Took 9 years to build, over 50,000 workers died Peter moved Russia’s capital there when it was completed, made others settle there

Death of Peter the Great  Peter the Great dies in 1725  When he dies, Russia has caught up to Europe  Not completely modern, but the gap has closed in just 40 years Lots of death to make this happen, though  Question – was the westernization of Russia worth the cost that the country paid?