Objective(s)

  Trace the political, social, and cultural developments of early modern Russia. Contrast the development of Russia with that of Western Europe.

Early Modern Russia: 1450-1800

I. Liberation

    Beginning in 14 th century, Russian elite began pushing for independence from Tatar (Mongol) control 1462 – Ivan the Great ( Ivan III ) freed large section of Russia  Established new government with strong emphasis on military power

1480 – Moscow freed from Tatar control, independent Russia further expands

Ivan the Great married niece of last Byzantine emperor   Considered Russia to be third Rome Named himself tsar *, or caesar * commonly spelled czar

Early Russian Expansion

II. Ivan the Terrible (Ivan IV)

     1533 - Ivan IV becomes Russia’s ruler Placed great emphasis on controlling the boyars (landowning aristocrats) Earned his nickname by having many boyars killed  Was paranoid, accused them of poisoning his wife Continued Russian expansion efforts   Recruited cossacks , or peasant-adventures, to migrate to newly seized lands By 16 th Siberia century – captured lands surrounding Caspian Sea and western Contact with the West   Ivan invited Western European artists to design/create buildings/art Trade began between Russia and Western Europe

II. Continued…

 After death  No male heir  Time of Troubles – boyars fought over control  1613 – an assembly of boyars chose a member of the Romanov family to rule  Romanov dynasty strengthened power of tsars and increased contact with West  Lasted until 1917  Alexis Romanov abolished boyar assemblies, gained powers of Russian church  Dissident religious conservatives, or Old Believers , were exiled to Siberia

III. Peter the Great

  A year after taking power in 1696, embarked on “Grand Embassy” – long trip to Western Europe Sought to westernize Russia politically, commercially, and militarily  Brought Russian Orthodox Church under state control        Limited power of nobles Hired Western European officers to train armies Introduced potatoes Started Russia’s first newspaper Raised status of women by having them attend social gatherings and ending some older marriage traditions Ordered boyars to wear Western fashions Advanced education by opening schools

IV. Catherine the Great

  



Prussian princess, converted to Orthodox Christianity in order to marry into Russia’s ruling family Installed as Empress in 1762, during plot to remove Peter III Further Westernization  Invited French philosophers and European artists to Russia   However, was not open to ideas of revolution that would eventually take hold throughout much of Western Europe Put down Pugachev rebellion , extended powers of central government

Further expansion

   Partition of Poland – divided among Russia, Austria, and Prussia, between years of 1772 – 1795 Expanded Siberian colonies Claimed territory in what is today Alaska

Expansion Under Catherine the Great

V. Peasant Life

    After Tatar control was ended, peasant farmers had to continue to accept servile status to landowning nobles Serfdom was way to satisfy nobles and control peasant population Throughout 17 th declined  and 18 th centuries, peasant rights Could not legally escape serfdom (status was hereditary)  Serfs were sold along with land Peasant unrest   Increase in commercial activities and wealth leads to unrest 17 th century onwards – Russia experienced increased resistance from peasant population

5-Minute Response

 In what ways was Russia different, in terms of development, from that of its neighbors in Western Europe? What factors were present in Russia, but not in W. Europe (and vise-versa)?

Chapter 18 Key Vocabulary

 Ivan III   Ivan IV Cossacks    Time of Troubles Romanov dynasty Old Believers    Peter I Catherine the Great Pugachev Rebellion  Partition of Poland