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Russia Brief History of an Empire
1450s to 1700s
CULTURAL & POLITICAL INFLUENCES on RUSSIASlavic, Viking, European and
Central Asian cultural influences
Parts of Asian Russia had converted to Islam
Orthodox Christianity was eventually dominant.
Early Russia & Mongol Invasion
In the 600s-1200s, feudal warlords were loosely organized into what was called Kievan Rus.
The Mongols invaded and Russia became part of the Mongol Empire from the 1200s to 1400s.
Russia 1450 – 1600sAfter the Mongols withdrew,
conflicts over the rule of Russia between powerful boyar families led to a series of civil wars and outside invasions.
The RomanovsThe Romanov Dynasty began in 1613,
when Russian independence was restored (lasting to 1914).
The power of the Tsars increased – toward ABSOLUTISM
Councils of Russian nobles were eliminated
Trained bureaucrats came from the “lower classes”
The secret police & the Tsar’s special forces suppressed rebellion.
Russia became one of the great land empires 1500s-1800.
Russian armies took control of new territories.
“Pioneers” expanded Russian territorial control
The Russian Empire, like Euro Maritime Empires, . . .
Expanded for profit, to spread Christianity, and gain power.
Had a powerful military with gunpowder weapons
Demanded tax (tribute or yasak) from conquered peoples (furs)
Oversaw the development of new territories through settlers
The Russian Empire, UNLIKE Euro Maritime Empires,
was NOT a distinct European state before it built its empire
conquered some regions for “security”conquered regions “close” to their
heartlandabsorbed conquered people or
“Russified” themWas less intense in its efforts at
converting natives to Christianity.
Russian interaction with . . .Ottoman Empire, Eastern
Europe, and Central Asia Russian war victories led to
territorial gains (especially Poland and around the Caspian sea)
China – mutual agreement on boundaries
Russian interaction with . . .
• Western Europe – Westerners carried on much of the trade in Russia, Western styles from architecture to the military were mimicked in Russia, but Russia remained politically isolated from Western Europe.
New Openness to the West 1689-1725 Tsar Peter the Great
Forced Westernization
Modernized the army, built a navy, and continued expansion
Instituted an educational system and offered freedom for women.
•Pushed for Western dress, architecture, science &•Shaved BEARDS!
Allowed mobility in government based upon merit
Built St. Petersburg as a new capital Organized and modernized trade and
commerce.
Reform, then Repression:1762-1796 Catherine the Great (Tsarina)Continued expansion
and westernizationWas initially open to
social reforms as an “Enlightened Despot”
The French Revolution & rebellion at home caused her to become more oppressive
However, Russia remained a traditional
agricultural society.Nobles continued to control the
lower classes.– Serfdom was expanded and rural
peasants suffered– Little freedom was offered to the
lower classesSocial unrest and revolt was
common