Chapter 18

The Rise of Russia

Introduction

• A general theme in the story of the development of Russia as a world power is the way in which they are often one step behind everyone else – As western Europe experiences rebirth, Russia is still isolated by Mongol rule – For Russia to emerge as a new power, must gain freedom from Mongols – Combination of duties as tax collectors and reliance on blending nationalism and religion allow Russia to gain greater autonomy and ultimately freedom

Russia’s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars

• • The Need for Revival Once free from Mongol rule, Russia faced the following challenges – – Low levels of literacy, trade, manufacturing Purely agricultural economy, dominated by peasants Ivan III (the Great) rises to the challenge – Focus on more centralized rule • Trend continued by Ivan IV (Terrible); eliminates nobles suspected of conspiracy – View of Russia as a third Rome (after Byzant.)

Russia’s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars

• Patterns of Expansion Territorial expansion focused on central Asia – Time to get rid of those Mongols – Reliance on peasants , Cossacks, to seize new land • Not dissimilar to pioneer spirit of 19 th century America – Provides a way to reward loyal nobles…familiar?

• Not dependent on expansion for social control or economic advance • Benefits from increased trade connections – Contributes to addition of many new cultures • Including large Muslim minority

Russia’s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars

• Western Contact and Romanov Policy Tsars understood that Mongol rule detrimentally affected Russian culture and the economy – – – Ivan III makes diplomatic contact with the West Ivan IV encourages trading contacts Western Europe viewed as a cultural and economic model • Artists and architects are imported, melding Renaissance styles with Russian traditions

Russia’s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars

• • Ivan IV dies without an heir  The Time of Troubles – Increased claims to power by boyars – 1613, assembly of boyars choose and establish the Romanov Dynasty which will last for nearly 300 years – Did not produce lasting constraints on tsarist power Initial Romanov rulers work to reestablish order – Michael drives out foreign invaders , resumes expansion – Alexis abolishes assemblies of nobles, more power over Russian church – Dissent earns you a one-way ticket to Siberia

Russia’s First Westernization, 1690-1790

• • • • Tsarist Autocracy of Peter the Great Had no interest in parliamentary government, utilized absolutist model Managed nobility by “promoting” bureaucrats Imitates Western military organization – – – Creates loyal military to suppress local militias Establishes a secret police to prevent dissent Moves capital from Russia to new city, St. Petersburg Searching for warm water access – Defeats Sweden to gain access to ice-free port

Russia’s First Westernization, 1690-1790

• • • What Westernization Meant Political – – More well-defined military hierarchy Extensive bureaucracy – Eliminating noble councils in favor of tsar-controlled advisors Economic – – – Build up of metallurgical and mining industry State-run munitions and shipbuilding Using serf labor for manufacturing Social – New dress code – – – Western style institutes and academies of learning Upper class women could attend public events Changes were focused on the upper classes, technology and intellectual advances not involved – Peasants resented transformation of landlords, some elites opposed change too

Russia’s First Westernization, 1690 1790

• • Consolidation Under Catherine the Great German-born princess, arranged marriage to distant heir of P-Great – Miserable marriage – Installed as empress following murder of husband Resumed P-Great’s policies – Defended powers of centralized church, puts down peasant uprisings – Pugachev Rebellion, opportunity to demonstrate authority – Continues selective Westernization • Genuine interest in Enlightenment, “Instruction of 1767”

Russia’s First Westernization, 1690 1790

• Image not always consistent with policies – Advocated centeralized, strong tsar gov’t – Gave new powers to nobility over serfs • Increased harshness of punishment nobles could decree for serfs – Created a service based aristocracy – Patronized Western-style art, architecture • Tried to avoid cultural influence from West

• • •

Russia’s First Westernization, 1690 1790

Continues tradition of expansion – Campaigns against Ottoman Empire, new territories in central Asia, claim territory of Alaska Playing politics with Europe – Increased Russian involvement in Polish affairs – Leads to the elimination of independent state of Poland Legacy – By 1800, French observer Alexis de Tocqueville likens increasingly important Russia to the emerging country in the Western Hemisphere

Themes in Early Modern Russian History

• Serfdom: The Life of East Europe’s Masses During 17 – th and 18 th c. power of nobility over serfs increases steadily following expulsion of Tatars, Russian peasants fall into debt must accept servile status – Retained access to land, but not ownership – Government encouraged this process as a way to satisfy nobility – As territory expands so does system of serfdom • By 1800, half of peasantry was enserfed, other half owed obligations to the state

Themes in Early Modern Russian History

– – Intensification of serf labor reflects eastern Europe’s subordination to the West (i.e. like Latin America) – Russian-style serfdom very close to slavery • Could be bought , sold, gambled away, punished by masters • Russians enslaving their own instead of “outsiders” Whole villages were sold as manufacturing labor • Peasants forced to provide labor obligation, obrok, to landlords – Economic and legal position of peasantry continues to disintegrate

Themes in Early Modern Russian History

• Trade and Economic Dependence Social and economic system worked well – Produced enough revenue to fuel expansion – Supported by significant population growth – Limited by traditional technology with little motivation to improve – Despite extensive gains started by P-Great, still lags behind the West

Themes in Early Modern Russian History

Social Unrest – Russia’s economic and social system led to protest • By the end of the 18 th c. Western-oriented aristocrats criticize backwardness of regime – Seek to abolish serfdom • Peasants were politically loyal to tsar – – Resented landlords, were the focus of rebellion Pugachev relied on peasants to support his rebellion