1. The Rise of Russia

2. CENTRAL EUROPE The middle of the continent was defined by the HRE
Politically, central Europe was comprised of numerous principalities, Church lands, and free towns
By the end of the 15th century, the HRE was an empire in name only
Central Europe was rich in minerals and timber

3. THE FORMATION OF STATES
Factors involved in the formation of states in Europe in the late 15th and early 16th century included geography, population, natural resources, social characteristics, language, and religion
Furthermore, advances in warfare made consolidation easier -- what could not be inherited or married could be conquered
In combination these factors slowly moved Europe toward formation of states
Caution! Europe under construction!

4. 1. How have geography, climate & distance directed and limited Russian expansion?
2. How might geography, climate & distance affect the governance of Russia?
3. What states probably opposed Russian expansion?

5. EASTERN CONFIGURATION
At the beginning of the 16th century, the principality of Muscovy was the largest political unit in Europe
Under Ivan III, “the Great” ( ), Muscovy expanded greatly largely due to deterioration of the Mongol Empire
Ivan III extended the privileges of the nobility and organized a military class
Ivan III
Russia’s greatest historian, Sergei Platonov wrote:
“The Grand Duke Ivan, endowed with quick wit and a will of iron completed the unification of the Russian lands under Moscow’s hand… “

6. Expansionism under the Tsars
Ivan lll (the Great) from Moscow – liberate from Mongols
- used nationalism & Orthodox loyalties
- by 1480, large, independent state
Mongol Legacy
- reduced culture & economy
- left local administration alone
literacy declines
economy agricultural
Russia is 3rd Rome
Ivan restores centralized rule
- supervises church
Ivan lV (the Terrible)
- kills nobility (boyars) on charge of conspiracy

7. The Cossacks Expand Across Siberia: Late 1500s to
mid 1600s

8. Impact of shift Russians sent Cossacks to hold the newly acquired land
Cossacks were peasants who migrated to these new areas
Trade from China was refocused through Russia

9. The Monarchy of Ivan IV
In the 1500s Russia far behind western Europe in technical advancement and centralized government
Russia run by church officials and boyars, or landowners
Had conservative viewpoints
1546, young prince claimed title of czar, put Russia on different course
Title was version of Latin word caesar, or emperor
New czar, Ivan, intended to rule without limits on power
His own madness created chaos
Rule Without Limits
During early years, Ivan IV made many reforms—created general council that included merchants, lower-level nobles
Promoted military officers on merit; drew up legal code
Expanded Russia’s borders, trade
Reforms of Ivan IV
As a result of such achievements, the years from 1547 to 1563 are known as Ivan’s “good period.”

10. Ivan the Terrible Private Police Force
During 1560s, Ivan changed
Strict policies, violent actions sealed reputation as Ivan the Terrible
Suspicious of closest advisors; sent them away, killed supporters
Was convinced wife was murdered, people conspiring against him
Private Police Force
Created private police force to investigate, punish opposition
Men dressed in black, rode black horses
Controlled almost half of Russia’s territory in Ivan’s name
Brutally punished anyone who spoke out against czar’s policies

11. Last Years of Ivan
1565, harshness continued; seized land from 12,000 boyars
Ordered killing of thousands of people in Novgorod; suspected they wanted to separate from Russia
1581, killed his own son, next in line to be czar
Descent into mental illness seemed complete
Descent into Mental Illness
Death of Ivan’s son may have been accident, but left Russia without heir to throne
Uncertainty about succession, economic problems, foreign invasions made chaotic period known as Time of Troubles
1613, Michael, relative of Ivan’s first wife, crowned czar; first of Romanov dynasty
Dynasty lasted until 1917
Time of Troubles

12. Autocrats Michael was the first Romanov
He was able to establish some stability but did not re-establish the autocracy of the emperor or czar
He expands into the Ukraine and re-united Kiev with the rest of Russia
He waged a successful war against Poland

13. While others were reforming…
Alexis was able to re-establish the power of the czar by outlawing assemblies of the boyars
He also re-organized the Orthodox Church
Those who would not reform were called the Old believers and many were exiled to Siberia for their conservative views

14. Serfs before Mongols – peasants relatively free
1500s – encouraged serfdom to control large peasant population
1649 – serfdom hereditary
other laws tie serfs to land, give landlords more authority
bought, sold, punished

15. Trade & Economics 95% population rural
few artisans (most manufacturing rural based)
most trade handled by Westerners
- few merchants
Peter’s reforms increase trade
- yet nobility prevent a strong commercial class
ag & manufacturing methods remain traditional
strengths
– revenue good enough for expanding empire
commerce with Central Asia

16. What was the nature of Russian serfdom?
power of nobility increases 1600 – 1700s
gives government a way to satisfy nobility & regulate peasants when govt. didn’t have the means to rule peasants directly
had been basically free farmers before Mongols
serfs tied to land, hereditary status, born to it
close to slavery, serfs could be bought & sold, punished, essentially enslave their own people
whole villages could be sold as manufacturing labor
did use village governments to regulate lives, rely on community ties
illiterate & poor
paid high taxes, owed labor to landlords or government (obrok)
economic & legal situation of the peasantry deteriorated

17. What is the basis for the culture of the Russian masses?
Orthodox Christianity
village life
serfdom
agriculture
taxes

18. 1450-1750 Russia has contact with the West
Only a few big cities; 95% rural
No strong merchant or commercial class
Long-lasting multinational empire