Transcript Russian Czars Increase Power

Russian Czars Increase
Power
From Ivan to the Romanovs
• A series of Russian czars, including Ivan the
Terrible, tries to strengthen the Russian state
and reduce the power of the boyars, or nobles.
• After an initial “good” period, Ivan creates a
ruthless police state and persecutes all who
oppose him, including his heir.
• After Ivan dies, his second son takes over but is
weak; power goes to the Romanovs.
Peter the Great Takes the
Throne
• The Romanovs restored order to Russia.
• In 1696 Peter the Great becomes sole
ruler of Russia.
• Russia is still a land of nobles and serfs at
this time, isolated and backward.
• Peter visits western Europe to study its
customs and technology.
Peter Rules Absolutely
• Peter decides to westernize Russia so it
can compete with western Europe.
• He places religion under state control,
limits nobles’ power, and modernizes the
army.
• He gains territory on the Baltic Sea and
builds the warm-water seaport St.
Petersburg to gain easier access to the
West.
Individual Activity
• Read pages 609-611 and answer the
following questions in your notebook.
 What were some key short-term effects of the
decision to westernize Russia?
 What were some key long-term effects?
 Was the decision to westernize a good one?
Why or why not?
Group Activity
• Create a poster advocating for or against
the modernization (westernization) of
Russia.
• The poster should be convincing and
creative.