Chapter 17 Part 4 Peter the Great

Peter the Great His sister, Sophia, was his first regent when he was very young His sister, Sophia, was his first regent when he was very young She plotted to have him killed and was found out She plotted to have him killed and was found out Peter had her banished to a monastery Peter had her banished to a monastery His mother took over as regent until he was 22 His mother took over as regent until he was 22 He was 7 feet tall and very strong He was 7 feet tall and very strong He was a poor loser at games, tests of skill He was a poor loser at games, tests of skill

Peter the Great Was fascinated with new technology of the West Was fascinated with new technology of the West Toured parts of Western Europe “in disguise” Toured parts of Western Europe “in disguise” Was a dock worker in the Netherlands Was a dock worker in the Netherlands Was determined to westernize and modernize Russia…even culturally Was determined to westernize and modernize Russia…even culturally The Beard Tax (was graduated based on ability to pay) The Beard Tax (was graduated based on ability to pay)

The Revolt of the Strelski 1698 The Moscow Guard The Moscow Guard Had successfully overthrown previous leaders Had successfully overthrown previous leaders Attempted to keep Peter from the throne Attempted to keep Peter from the throne The revolt was crushed The revolt was crushed (any similarities to the Fronde in France?) (any similarities to the Fronde in France?) Louis XIV and Peter the Great…both considered the quintessential Absolutist of his region Louis XIV and Peter the Great…both considered the quintessential Absolutist of his region

Greatest Concern: Military Power Each Russian village had annual quotas: warm bodies for the military…25 year commitment! Each Russian village had annual quotas: warm bodies for the military…25 year commitment! 75% of National Revenue went to the military 75% of National Revenue went to the military Army numbered 200,000+ men Army numbered 200,000+ men AND an additional 100,000 special Cossack forces AND an additional 100,000 special Cossack forces

The Military Peter established Royal Military and Artillery Academies Peter established Royal Military and Artillery Academies All young male nobles were required to leave home and serve 5 years of compulsory education All young male nobles were required to leave home and serve 5 years of compulsory education Non-nobles had opportunities to rise within the ranks Non-nobles had opportunities to rise within the ranks Large navy (850 ships) built on the Baltic Large navy (850 ships) built on the Baltic

The Great Northern War (with Sweden) Russia, Poland, Denmark, Saxony v. Sweden Russia, Poland, Denmark, Saxony v. Sweden Most important Battle: Battle of Poltava was a decisive Russian victory over Sweden Most important Battle: Battle of Poltava was a decisive Russian victory over Sweden 1721 Treaty of Nystad: Russia gained Latvia and Estonia (Russia’s “Window on the West”) in the Baltic Sea 1721 Treaty of Nystad: Russia gained Latvia and Estonia (Russia’s “Window on the West”) in the Baltic Sea

Industry Peter imported western technicians and craftsmen to help build large factories in Russia Peter imported western technicians and craftsmen to help build large factories in Russia By 1725 Russia out-produced England in Iron Production (Sweden and German produced more) By 1725 Russia out-produced England in Iron Production (Sweden and German produced more) Factories had industrial form of serfdom (factory workers bought and sold with the factory or not) But industrial serfs produced inferior goods Factories had industrial form of serfdom (factory workers bought and sold with the factory or not) But industrial serfs produced inferior goods

Created State regulated monopolies State regulated monopolies Similar to those in Western Europe Similar to those in Western Europe

The Government Became more efficient Became more efficient The Tsar ruled by decree (absolutist) The Tsar ruled by decree (absolutist) Theoretically: the tsar owned all land in the state Theoretically: the tsar owned all land in the state The Nobles and peasants served the state The Nobles and peasants served the state No representative assemblies No representative assemblies All landowners owed a lifetime of service to the state (either military or in the civil service or in the courts) All landowners owed a lifetime of service to the state (either military or in the civil service or in the courts) In return, the Boyars gained more control over the serfs In return, the Boyars gained more control over the serfs

Table of Ranks Educational standards for civil servants (most were nobles) Educational standards for civil servants (most were nobles) Peter tried to replace old Boyar nobility with new service-based nobility loyal to the tsar (like in the West) Peter tried to replace old Boyar nobility with new service-based nobility loyal to the tsar (like in the West) Secret Police ruthlessly crushed all opponents of the state (tsar) Secret Police ruthlessly crushed all opponents of the state (tsar)

Taxation Head tax on every male Head tax on every male Heavy taxes on sales and rent Heavy taxes on sales and rent

The Church Took control of the Church by making it a cabinet-level department: The Holy Synod in 1700 after the death of the Patriarch Took control of the Church by making it a cabinet-level department: The Holy Synod in 1700 after the death of the Patriarch

St. Petersburg Tried to create a city similar to Amsterdam Tried to create a city similar to Amsterdam Built the Winter Palace there Built the Winter Palace there By 1725 it was the largest city in Northern Europe By 1725 it was the largest city in Northern Europe Population of 75,000 Population of 75,000 St. Petersburg became the capital of Russia St. Petersburg became the capital of Russia

The Winter Palace

St. Petersburg Construction began in 1703 Construction began in 1703 Labor was conscripted (drafted) Peasants Labor was conscripted (drafted) Peasants Heavy death toll Heavy death toll Many Nobles were ordered to move there and build their homes according to Peter’s plans Many Nobles were ordered to move there and build their homes according to Peter’s plans Merchants and artisans also ordered to live in the city and to help build it Merchants and artisans also ordered to live in the city and to help build it

Peter’s Reforms Modernized Russia Modernized Russia Had a more modern military and state bureaucracy Had a more modern military and state bureaucracy Peter began issuing explanations of his decrees to gain popular support Peter began issuing explanations of his decrees to gain popular support

Peter the Great Strangled his son with his bare hands Strangled his son with his bare hands