The Rise of Russia Review: A new Russian state emerged in the 1400’s under the leadership of Moscow. In the 1500’s Ivan IV, the Terrible was the first ruler to take the title of Tsar and he expanded Russia land wise and increased the power of the monarch by crushing the nobles. He was followed by the time of troubles. Then in the 17th century, Michael Romanov was chosen to rule, beginning a dynasty that would last until 1917.

Russian Society (17th Century Tsar- absoluter power, divinely ordained. Aristocracy- land owners who binded peasants to their land. Merchants- middle class, revolts common bc townspeople were not allowed to move from their cities with out government permission or to sell their business to anyone outside their class. Peasants, there was an abundance of land and a shortage of peasants, which made serfdom (6.7 million serfs with no rights or legal protections)desirable to land owners, peasant revolts were common. 97% of Russians were peasants, not all serfs though.

Peter the Great 1689-1725- He was 6’9 that is pretty tall! Made a trip to Western Europe in 1697-1698 and returned determined to westernize Russia. He especially admired Europe's technology and gadgets and wanted this kind of modernization to build the army and navy he needed to make Russia a great power. Reformed the army (conscripted peasants for 25 year stints to build a standing army of around 210,000) Formed the first Russian Navy Adopted western mercantilism policies to stimulate economic growth to help pay for his army and navy (cost 3/4ths of the state revenue). Tried increasing exports and developing new industries. Eventually though he resorted to continuing to raise taxes and imposing more burdens on the already oppressed peasants. RAUSED TAXES BY 500% DURING HIS REIGN.

Peter the Great Reorganized the central government He created a Senate to supervise the government when he was away He divided Russia into 8 provinces and later into 50. He wanted to create a police state, a well ordered community governed by laws, but his administrators were corrupt. All landowner had to serve in the military or in the government. He also wanted control of the church so in 1721 he abolished the position of Patriarch (pope) and created the Holy Synod to make decisions for the Church. Created a book of Western customs and practices, all Russian men had to shave their beards. His policies did benefit women, as western women were more free, so women gained the right to marry who they pleased and to mix with men in public without veils covering their faces.

Russia’s Military Power Peter wanted to make Russia into a great state and military power. He wanted a port that was easily available to the West, which meant a port on the Baltic, controlled by Sweden. Russia went to War with Sweden in the Great Northern War (1701-1721) Peace in 1712 granted Peter Estonia, Livonia and Karelia on the Baltic. Peter begin building St. Petersburg, his window to the West, remains the Russian capital until 1917. Peter westernized Russia and built it into a great military power, and by his death, Russia was an important member of the European state system. His policies were detrimental to Russia though, westernization was a scam and it only reached the upper class, and the strong military created a huge tax and service burden on the lower classes. Peter’s forceful way of westernizing created distrust in the West vs. the Russian people embracing the West.

Catherine the Great Peter’s 6 successors stunk, the last of them, Peter III, had a German wife, Catherine and when Peter III was murdered by nobles, she became the ruler of Russia. She was intelligent, she wanted to reform Russia, but realized she needed Noble support in all she did. Started strong, wrote Instruction a guide where she questioned serfdom, torture and capital punishment and argued all were equal in the eyes of the law. Because of her need to for noble support, her reforms were less enlightened and served more to strengthen the landowners at the expense of all others. Reorganized Russia into 50 provinces, which were subdivided and ruled over by Nobles responsible for day to day governing.

Pugachev’s Revolt 1773-1775 Popular discontent fueled the most significant uprising of the century. In 1773 he declared himself to be Tsar Peter III, the murdered husband of Catherine II, he began small raiding parties against nobleman and soon had the allegiance of 10,000 peasants. In 1774 he issued manifestos freeing all peasants from taxes and military service, he encouraged them to seize their nobles lands, peasants killed more than 1500 landowners and their families. Betrayed by his own, Pugachev was captured, tortured and executed, the rebellion collapsed completely without him. Catherine responded with even greater repression of the peasants, all rural reform was halted.

The Two Germanies 30 Years War devastated the HRE and there were now two empires, a German one and an Austrian one but they were both ruled by the same person. In the German territories, the HRE was more of a constitutional monarch vs. the absolute monarch he was in the Austrian Empire. Prussia was on the rise in the German territories, forming a military and their own kings. The conflict between the powerful Austria and the rising Prussia would be the defining characteristic of Central European politics in the 18th century.

Fredrick William I (Prussia) The transformation of Brandenburg-Prussia into a great European power is one of the most significant developments of the 18th century. Frederick William I began the process when he came to power during the 30 Years War. He built a standing army for Prussia because Prussia was a small open country with no natural defenses. The Junkers, Prussian nobles, were incorporated in the government by being officers in the army and officials of the civil government. Frederick also made a deal with the Junkers- they would give him a free hand in running the government, giving up their parliamentary rights, in exchange for being able to rule over the peasants unlimitedly, exempting them from Taxes and giving them the best army positions. Built the economy using mercantilist policies. Frederick II, the Great succeeded Frederick I- codified laws, abolished torture and capital punishment and instituted agricultural reforms. When his successor, Frederick III aided the HRE in the War of Spanish Succession, the HRE made him King in Prussia, transforming him from Elector Frederick III to King Frederick I.

Austria Austria acquired the most land in the War of Spanish Succession, getting the Netherlands and parts of Italy. The end of Austrian power and prestige had already passed though and Austria’s rivals, Russia and Prussia were on the rise. Decentralized Rule- Austria had a hard time centrally ruling its expansive and diverse populations and lands. Austria was predominantly rural and agricultural. Maria Theresa 1740-1780 (Hapsburg) Focused on maintaining her empire vs. expanding it. Had to grant Hungary the ability to make their own laws in exchange for military help Reorganized the military and government Fiscal reform- she gained control over raising and collecting taxes, extending taxation to clergy and the nobility. Improved conditions for peasants, he son Joseph II would end serfdom altogether. Peasants now had rights and could seek redress through the law. Joseph II also introduced complete religious toleration and restrictions on the Catholic Church. His reforms alienated the church and the nobility.

War of Austrian Succession Major conflict involving Prussia, France and Spain vs. Austria, Britain and Holland. Britain joined with Austria to maintain the balance of power in Europe, after France and Prussia aligned. The British cared very little about the fate of the Hapsburg Empire or Maria Theresa. Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle 1748- Austria had to recognize Frederick’s conquest of Silesia (one of the more wealthy parts of the Austrian empire), as well as loss of its Italian territories' to Spain. France, which the British were really fighting against, withdrew from the Netherlands in exchange for colonial possessions. The war of Austrian Succession made Austria and Prussia permanent enemies.

The Seven Year’s War Britain and Prussia enter a military accord together in 1756. France sought an alliance with Russia and Austria- France and Austria allies for the first time in 300 years. Frederick attacks Austria, Russia responds and crushes Frederick and his army. New Russian Leader comes to the throne, Peter III, who idolizes Frederick the Great, so he abandons his allies and makes a treaty with Prussia, abandoning all the gains his predecessor had made land wise. 7 Years War had two important political results Established beyond a doubt the status of Prussia as a major power and counterbalance to Austria in central Europe. Initiated a long period of peace in Eastern Europe.