Russia in the 16 th Century Mr. White’s World History

Objectives After we finish this section, we should be able to: Understand how the leaders of Russia helped Russia become a more modern nation. Understand how the leaders of Russia helped Russia become a more modern nation.

Vocabulary Czar Ivan the Terrible Peter the Great Catherine the Great

Before the Great Czars Before the most famous czars, Russia was isolated from most of the events in Europe Primarily agricultural – basically no industry at all Russia had developed its own culture around the Eastern Orthodox church and the Byzantine Empire Separate language (not derived from Latin), separate alphabet (Cyrillic)

Ivan the Terrible Became czar at the age of three, and was caught between different groups of nobles who wanted to rule the country Well educated, religious, and cruel Tended to suspect everyone of wanting to take power from him (Russian and Soviet leaders did this a lot), so he arrested, exiled, or killed some of his closest advisers

Russian Expansion Ivan did much to help bring Russia into the modern era: Brought artisans and doctors from Germany and England Brought artisans and doctors from Germany and England Brought the printing press to Russia Brought the printing press to Russia Started to trade with Europe on a large scale Started to trade with Europe on a large scale Ivan also used his army to expand the size of Russia and also to try to get a warm- water harbor

Peter the Great Peter became czar many years after Ivan Finishes the job of bringing Russia into the modern era

Encounter with Europe When Peter brought tutors to Russia, he found that most Russians were not well-educated about the world Took an 18-month tour of England and the Netherlands to see shipyards, factories, mills, and laboratories When he came home, he forced the nobility to adopt western ways – no beards, adopted western clothing, allowed women to come to social gatherings

St. Petersburg Peter built a new capital closer to western Europe, called St. Petersburg Peter considered this city Russia’s “window to the west.” St. Petersburg was the capital for a while, but is no longer the capital today

Expanding the Borders Peter expanded Russia’s borders in just about every direction imaginable Forced China to allow Russia to have Siberia Fought Poland, Sweden, and the Ottoman Empire for more territory When his army lost to the Turks (Ottomans), he decided to modernize his army, which helped him gain a warm-water port

End Results Peter strengthened Russia’s role in foreign affairs (outside its borders) Many of his reforms were incomplete and hasty, some were not really finished Not everybody agreed with his reforms or liked them

Catherine the Great Much time passed between Peter and Catherine – 1762 Catherine took the throne from her weak husband, Peter III Had the respect of her people, even though she was German originally Considered freeing the serfs, but didn’t – common people had very few rights Significantly expanded Russia’s borders, and won a warm-water port Catherine is the last of the absolute monarchs, as new ideas spread across Europe after this time