1. Absolute Monarchs-Russia
Preview: Use pg. 446 in your textbook & answer Q’s:
What is the theme of this map?
When did Russia take part of Poland?
Name 3 rulers who expanded Russia
In which direction is Russia most expanding?
Is Russia close to Western Europe? What effect might this have on its development as a nation?

2. BELLWORK
State and describe 3 ways a monarch can show their absolute power.

3. Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, & Russia
Absolute Monarchs
Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, & Russia

4. Russia
1200s-1700s—Russia was isolated from Western Europe; knew very little of the ideas of Western Europe:
Missed out on ideas of Crusades, Renaissance, Age of Exploration
During Middle Ages, Russia looked to Constantinople, not Rome—became Eastern Orthodox Christians (thought Catholics & Protestants were heretics)

6. Russia Royal family were the Romanovs:
Ivan III (Ivan the Great)—freed Russia from 240 years of rule by the Mongols; built Moscow as capital
Ivan the Terrible—expanded lands to east & south. Used terror, force, & secret police to maintain power
Peter the Great became greatest czar (monarch) of Russia in 1696

7. Peter the Great
Russia was very “behind the times” in relationship to western Europe:
Most of Russians were feudal serfs
Long beards worn to show status
Did not have advanced industry
Intellectually isolated from ideas of Renaissance & Scientific Revolution
Wanted to modernize Russia & make Russia a major European power

8. Peter the Great
Peter went to Western Europe; Borrowed ideas from France to use in Russia:
Shipbuilding
Manufacturing
City planning
Music & fashion
How to run a government

9. Peter the Great Peter made changes in Russia:
Women don’t have to wear veils
Adopted European calendar
Improved agriculture
Used idea of mercantilism—created iron & lumber factories
Made czar head of Orthodox Church (like Henry VIII in England)
Modernized Russian army

11. Peter the Great
Wanted to expand boarders & gain warm-water sea port so Russia could trade year-round
1721—Russia defeated Finland & Sweden; received land on Baltic Sea (“sort of” warm-water port)
Built new capital—St. Petersburg; moved all government offices from Moscow to new “European-style” capital city

14. Catherine the Great
Catherine was German & married into Romanov family to a crazy Russian prince
Became queen of Russia when she had her husband imprisoned (& murdered?)
Reforms:
Tried to free serfs & listen to the desires of the people (did not work but made her popular

15. Catherine the Great
Expanded Russia’s territory by adding 200,000 miles of land; gained “true” warm-water port along Black Sea

16. Create “Peter the Great—Before & After Mural of Russia”