1. Absolute Rules of Russia
5.4
Absolute Rules of Russia

2. Ivan the Terrible Ivan IV comes to throne at 3-years old
Boyars (Russian landowning nobles) try to control Ivan
Ivan gains complete control at 16-years old
Names himself czar (caesar)
After wife dies, he rules by terror

3. Ivan the Terrible Accused boyars of poisoning his wife
Begins reign of terror
Forms secret police to murder traitors
Executes many boyars, their families, & peasants working boyar lands
Ivan, in a rage, unintentionally kills his oldest son and heir to the throne
Weak son takes over throne

4. Peter the Great
Romanov family (related to Ivan the Terrible’s wife) chosen to control Russia ( )
Peter the Great eventually becomes czar (1696)
Russia very agricultural society
Boyars treat peasants like property
Russia isolated from western Europe
Mongols cut off contact with Europe
Only seaport covered in ice most of the year – no visitors

5. Peter the Great
Religious differences also separate Russia from Europe (Eastern Orthodox)
Peter has fascination of modern technology
Believes Russia needs a warm water port
Travels to western Europe to learn about their culture
Believes in westernization – changing Russian culture to match that of western Europe

6. Peter the Great When he returns he reforms Russia
Brings church under his control
Reduces power of landowners
Hires European officers
Starts 1st Russian newspaper
Raises status of women
Introduces potatoes
Opens schools for arts, sciences, navigation
Forces nobles to dress in western clothes & shave their beards

7. Peter the Great
Peter wants seaport to encourage travel to and from Russia
Fights Sweden for control of St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg built on swampy land
Disease easily spread
Working conditions terrible
St. Petersburg becomes busy port and helps modernize Russia