Absolute Rulers of Absolute Rulers of RussiaRussia

Chapter 21, Section 4Chapter 21, Section 4

Section OpenerSection Opener

Peter the Great makes many Peter the Great makes many changes in Russia to try to make it changes in Russia to try to make it more like western Europemore like western Europe

The First CzarThe First Czar Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible

– In 1533, Ivan the Terrible In 1533, Ivan the Terrible becomes king of Russiabecomes king of Russia

– Struggles for power with Struggles for power with boyarsboyars—landowning nobles.—landowning nobles.

– Seizes power and is crowned Seizes power and is crowned czar, meaning “caesar”czar, meaning “caesar”

Rule by TerrorRule by Terror– In 1560, Ivan turns against In 1560, Ivan turns against

boyars, kills them, seizes boyars, kills them, seizes landslands

Rise of the RomanovsRise of the Romanovs– Ivan’s heir is weak, leading Ivan’s heir is weak, leading

to period of turmoilto period of turmoil– In 1613, Michael Romanov In 1613, Michael Romanov

becomes czarbecomes czar

Peter the Great Comes to Peter the Great Comes to PowerPower

The Rise of PeterThe Rise of Peter– Peter the Great Peter the Great

becomes czar in 1696, becomes czar in 1696, begins to reform begins to reform RussiaRussia

Russia Contrasts with Russia Contrasts with EuropeEurope– Cut off geographically Cut off geographically

from Europefrom Europe– Culturally isolated, Culturally isolated,

little contact with little contact with western Europewestern Europe

– Religious differences Religious differences widen gapwiden gap

Peter Rules AbsolutelyPeter Rules Absolutely

Peter Visits the WestPeter Visits the West– In 1697, Peter visits western Europe to learn In 1697, Peter visits western Europe to learn

European waysEuropean ways Peter’s GoalPeter’s Goal

– Goal of Goal of westernizationwesternization—using western —using western Europe as a model for changeEurope as a model for change

Peter’s ReformsPeter’s Reforms– Brings Orthodox Church under state controlBrings Orthodox Church under state control– Reduces power of great landownersReduces power of great landowners– Modernizes army by having European officers Modernizes army by having European officers

train soldierstrain soldiers

Peter Rules Absolutely Peter Rules Absolutely (continued)(continued)

Westernizing RussiaWesternizing Russia– Introduces potatoesIntroduces potatoes– Starts Russia’s first newspaperStarts Russia’s first newspaper– Raises women’s statusRaises women’s status– Adopts Western fashionAdopts Western fashion– Advances educationAdvances education

Peter Rules Absolutely Peter Rules Absolutely (continued)(continued)

Establishing St. PetersburgEstablishing St. Petersburg– Peter wants a seaport that will make Peter wants a seaport that will make

travel to West easier.travel to West easier.– Fights Sweden to win port on Baltic SeaFights Sweden to win port on Baltic Sea– In 1703, begins building new capital In 1703, begins building new capital

called St. Petersburg.called St. Petersburg.– Building city takes many years, many Building city takes many years, many

serfs die in process.serfs die in process.– By the time of Peter’s death, Russia is By the time of Peter’s death, Russia is

force to be reckoned with in Europeforce to be reckoned with in Europe

““English Embankment,” English Embankment,” St. Petersburg, RussiaSt. Petersburg, Russia

Palace Square, St. Palace Square, St. PetersburgPetersburg

Church of the Savior on Spilt Church of the Savior on Spilt Blood,Blood,

St. Petersburg, RussiaSt. Petersburg, Russia