1. Ch 5 – Section 4 Absolute Rulers of Russia
Main Idea: Peter the Great made many changes in Russia to try to make it more like Western Europe
Why It Matters Now: Many Russians today debate whether to model themselves on the West or to focus on traditional Russian culture

2. Ivan III Ruled from 1462-1505 (43 years) Accomplished 3 things:
Conquered area around Moscow
Freed Russia from Mongols
Centralized Russian government
Son was Vasily
Grandson was Ivan IV

3. Ivan the Terrible Came to power at age 3
Boyars tried to control Ivan and kingdom
At 16yrs Ivan officially became czar of Russia
Married Anastasia (Romanov family)

4. Ivan’s Moods Good Period (1547-1560) Bad Period (1560-end)
Won wars, added land, ruled justly
Bad Period (1560-end)
Wife died (murdered?)
Accused boyars of poisoning her
Created his “Special Forces”
Hunt down those responsible
Thousands die
Gave land to “new” nobles loyal to him

5. Ivan’s Descendents
1581- Ivan killed his eldest son and heir to the Russian thrown
Left a weak son to rule instead
Dies leaving no heir
Imposter tries to take thrown
Relatives of the czar start to mysteriously die
Russian nobles select the Romanov family to rule
Related to Ivan the Terrible and his wife

6. Peter the Great Peter I finally comes to power
Serfs still employed in Russia
Serfs were property, sold and bought, given as presents, used by the rich
Peter wanted to change Russia, Westernize it to be more like Europe
Grand Embassy took place
Long visit to Europe with the “heretics” (Catholics/Protestants)

7. Westernization Continues
Peter increased his power to westernize his nation
Got rid of Church Patriarch and made church follow his orders
Group called the Holy Synod
Hurt powerful landowners, took their land and gave it to lower-ranking families
Hired European officers to modernize his army
Heavily taxed the people to help support all this
Increased education of Russians

8. St. Petersburg Peter built a new city in Swedish land
Fought wars to gain this new area
Called it St. Petersburg
Became a warm weather port to reach Europe and the capital of Russia