Peter the Great AD

The Regency of Sophia Father Alexis had 2 wives – Mary Miloslavskaia – Natalie Naryshkina – This created 2 possible lines of succession – Mary = 2 sons, Theodore & Ivan – Natalie = Peter – Theodore took throne but died w/out son – Ivan & Peter co-ruled with sister Sophia – Sophia was regent until boys reached app. age

The Regency of Sophia Brokered the Eternal Peace Treaty of 1686 – Which secured the left bank of the Ukraine and Kiev for Russia – Unified E. Euro against Turks Boyars were in opposition to her Boyars supported Peter Peter had developed a passion for military Sophia organized a coup against Peter Army sided with Peter Peter as primary leader = 1689 Ivan as co-tsar

The Regency of Sophia Wanted to preserve family’s power Encouraged the streltsy to use violence in support of her Pursued a set of domestic and foreign policies that undermined the support she had received from the Russian nobility She is responsible for – Concessions to merchants – relaxed penalties on peasants escaping – First institution of higher learning – War against the Crimean Tatars

Pete and North War Declared war on Sweden to reclaim Baltic coastline, not satisfied with access to Black Sea Sweden defeated Russians in Battle of Narva (1700) Then embarked on project to found St. Petersburg

North War Cont. Because it couldn’t be burned, Peter used stone for architecture in St. Petersburg; became permanent settlement in Northwest Sweden invaded Russia (1708) Peter staved off the Swedish attack, forcing King Charles XII southward to Ukraine, which he invaded Peter’s forces eventually defeated Swedes in Battle of Poltava in 1709

Mo North War Turkey declared war on Russia, temporarily took northern coast of Black Sea Great Northern war continued for another decade, fighting mostly in the North, resulting in Russia’s seizure of Finland Charles XII died in 1718 

And End to North War Swedish surrender resulted in Treaty of Nystadt in 1721 in which Russia ceded most of Finland and paid 2 million units of Swedish currency but secured Baltic territories of Estonia, Ingria, Livonia, and part of Karelia

The Reign of Peter the Great BY: Incendiary Skittles

Peter the Great’s Reforms His reforms took an international perspective-extensive European travels and conflicts with Sweden and Turkey Made a series of military reforms in response to constant state of war Landed gentry were required for the first time to enlist and participate in military affairs Russian population was subjected to draft by lottery (one person from every 75 peasant houses) Exceptions: physically unable to fight, clergy, and merchant class Written manuals for officers Merit-based system of promotion

Greatness is associated with his series of accomplishments as tsar, physical statue, intellect, and personality. Favorite learning style is a hand-on approach. Learned variety of trades including ship building, dentistry, and cobbling. Worked through the ranks of the Russian army and navy. He was the first Russian leader to subject himself to the interest of the state. Traveled secretly throughout Europe in part to garner support, from monarchs to stop Ottoman influence. Studied shipbuilding in Holland. Also studied dentistry and entomology.

Peter’s careful observations of how Western European societies functioned led to the introduction of a host of policies designed to modernize Russian society. I.Shaving of Orthodox beards (symbols of respect, He thought it to uncivilized.) II.Eliminating the long, bulky robes of Byzantine influence, taking on the tight-fitting western style III.Ending the anachronistic practice of arranged marriages IV.Promoting educational reforms V.Moving Russia from a creationist-based Orthodox calendar to one base on the Julian system

Peter’s excursion was cut short in 1698, by word of a bourgeoning coup by the streltsy. Steltsy- an elite group of military guards The steltsy planned to overthrow Peter and install Sophia as Tsarina. Peter returned to Moscow to stop the conspiracy. He interrogated, tortured, and executed thousands of steltsy. Left the bodies to warn others that it would happen to them if they tried to over throw the throne. Peter’s half-sister was exiled to a convent where she spent the remainder of her days.

Continued Training requirements in several weapon types Aimed at revising government from the national to the local level Interests sovereign to those of the state Created the Senate, which had judicial, bureaucratic, and financial powers Created 12 Colleges to better manage executive affairs Increase the ease of collection taxes and information

Church Reforms Refused to fill the office of Patriarch after death of the previous one 1721 – 1917; replaced the position of Patriarch with the Holy Synod (Religious committee under secular official) Primary functions of churches became education

Socioeconomic Reforms Developed the “head tax” during the Great Northern War, to be paid by each subject in the state except merchants and gentry Ended distinction between serfs and slaves-to increase the number of individuals whom this tax could charge To extract resources from the landed class- developed the Table of Ranks (hierarchal system of service)

Education Westernized education in Russia Mandatory education for children of nobles Introduction to academic specialization Creation of the Russian Academy of Sciences Encouraged changes in dress, behavior, and interaction with each other; including incorporation of women in public roles

Problems with Reforms Size of country made it difficult to enforce policies Reforms were met with resistance from conservative forces in the nobility, the Orthodox Church, and general population State remained weak, corruption of officials Class divisions widened due to reforms- creating a duel culture in imperial Russia

Russia After the Death of Peter the Great

Peter died in 1725 Only son was Alexei, had been ignored by his father and grew to hate him Gave up birth rights and fled Russia, but came back in 1718 Plot to dispose his father, but failed Died while waiting in execution in 1718 Peter died without naming a successor

4 decade intercession between Peter the Great and Catherine the Great Lots of familial in fighting and frequent wars 37 years Russia had 6 rulers Peter the II marked the end of the Romanov line Ivan the VI jailed as an infant and died in prison Elizabeth led the infant tsar; Peter II assassinated after the throne

5 conflicts Fought in rapid succession from 1733 to 1763 With Austria against France Against Turkey Against Sweden War against Austrian Succession With austria, France, Sweden and Saxony against Prussia, Britain, and Hanover in the Seven Years’ War

Societal reforms progressed haltingly and intermittently, depended on whims of the leader Gap between the wealthy and the poor was increased significantly during this period Power and wealth of the landed gentry was solidified and expanded with gifts of land Serfdom was solidified during this period Edicts were issued keeping peasants from improving their conditions through the Table of the Ranks, also stripped rights to hold property and gave masters complete submission over them. Nobles were not permitted from killing peasants Russia needed stability and leadership; came with Catherine II in July 1762