1. Statue of Peter the Great in St. Petersburg

2. Words To Know czar: title used for all-powerful rulers in Russia
modernize: to become more up-to-date (modern=today)
westernize: to become more like "the West" (at this time, we were talking about western Europe)
reform: changes that are made (remember: during the Reformation, people wanted to make changes to the Catholic Church)

3. Early Life Birth: in Moscow, Russia on June 9, 1672
14th child in his family
Dad: the czar of Russia
Part of ruling Romanov family

4. Sharing Power Began joint rule with brother Ivan at age 10 (1682)
mom made most decisions
Ivan died 1696, making Peter the czar
Known as Peter I

5. Russia At Time of Rule
Years Peter ruled alone:
Underdeveloped compared to Europe
did not participate in Renaissance or Reformation
remained isolated and didn't modernize
doesn't have much contact with Europe
In order to make Russia a great nation once again, Peter challenged the nobility and undertook several reforms
Changed almost every aspect of Russian life

6. Peter's Goals Westernization Get warm-water port Reforms War
St. Petersburg

7. Goal 1: Westernization simplified the alphabet
Primary goal: wanted to westernize Russia
Visits Europe in 1697
To westernize Russia, Peter...
simplified the alphabet
made men shave their beards
introduced turnips & potatoes
started Russia’s first newspaper
raised women’s status
adopted Western fashion
advanced education

8. Reforms for Westernization
Brings the Orthodox Church under the czar's authority
(increasing his own power)
Reduces power of great landowners
Creates strong navy
Modernizes army by having European officers train soldiers
Secularizes schools
Introduces new administrative and territorial divisions of the country
Focuses on science and technology

9. Goal 2: Warm Water Port wants a port to make travel to West easier
But...
Baltic Sea is controlled by Sweden
Black Sea is controlled by Ottoman Empire
Goes to war with both during his rule
Gets first Russian naval base at Taganrog (on Black Sea) in win against Ottoman Empire
Gains territory in win against Sweden

10. Russian Expansion

11. Establishing St. Petersburg
In 1703, begins building new capital called St. Petersburg.
Building city takes many years, many serfs die in process.
"Window to Europe"

12. "English Embankment," St. Petersburg

13. Palace Square, St. Petersburg

14. Church of the Savior on Spilt Blood, St. Petersburg

15. Death died on February 8, 1725 did not choose an heir
is entombed in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in St. Petersburg

16. Accomplishments
By the time of Peter’s death, Russia was force to be reckoned with in Europe
Expanded territory and got port on Black Sea
However: known as a cruel leader
reforms often meant high taxes ----> peasant revolts -----> suppression
had his own son executed (for treason)

17. Resources