1. Guiding Question
How did Western ideas influence the reign of Peter the Great in Russia?
To what extent did Russia westernize? (shallow or fully embraced)

2. Russia: From Fledgling Principality to Major Power
Moscow – Grand Dukes
Ivan IV the Terrible (1533 – 1584)
First Tsar – elevated position
Romanov Dynasty (1613 – 1917)
Stratified Society
Tsar – Divine Right
Landed Aristocrats – Lots of Land, not enough peeps
Peasants and Townspeople - restrictions on movement

3. Peter the Great.
Peter the Great wished to westernize Russia, especially in the realm of technical skills. His foremost goal was the creation of a strong army and navy in order to make Russia a great power. Jean Marc Nattier, a French artist, painted this portrait of the armored tsar in 1717.
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4. The Reign of Peter the Great (1689 – 1725)
Visits the West (1697 – 1698) – spent time as youth in “German Quarter” hearing of new technologies in the West
Reorganizes armed forces
Reorganizes central government
Divides Russia into provinces
Seeks control of the Russian Church
dismisses patriarch, introduces Holy Synod.
Head of Holy Synod is procurator, a layman loyal to Czar
Introduces Western Customs
Book of Etiquettes – don’t scratch yourself or spit on floors
Barbers at the gates would forcefully cut men’s beards and their long coats.

5. The Reign of Peter the Great (1689 – 1725)
Positive Impact of Reforms on Women
Married freely / Removal of veils
“Open a window to the West”
Seeking a Warm Water Coast
Attacks Sweden
Battle of Narva (1700) – 8000 Swedish defeat 40000
Great Northern War (1701 – 1721)
Battle of Poltava (1709) Peter reorganizes army & wins
Peace of Nystadt (1721)
Russia gains control of Estonia, Livonia and Karelia
St. Petersburg – Baltic Coast near swampy River Neva
Many peasants died draining the swamps

6. Peter The Great: Summing Up
Makes Russia one of the 5 major powers
Chiefly through creation of standing Army & Navy
Expanding Borders
Westernization technical and shallow
Puts off Russians from Western Ideas because of his forceful tactics
Westernizes military & Elite ways of Life
Peasantry goes backwards cemented in Serfdom!
Increases power of Nobles over land
Restricts movement of peasants