Transcript Chapter 18
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 were often one step behind everyone else – As western Europe experiences rebirth, Russia was still isolated by Mongol rule – For Russia to emerge as a new power, had to gain freedom from Mongols – Combination of duties as tax collectors and reliance on blending nationalism and religion allowed Russia to gain greater autonomy and ultimately freedom Russia’s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars The Need for Revival • Once freed from Mongol rule, Russia faced the following challenges – Low levels of literacy, trade, manufacturing – Purely agricultural economy, dominated by peasants • Ivan III (the Great) met the challenge – Focus on more centralized rule • Trend continued by Ivan IV (Terrible); eliminated nobles suspected of conspiracy – View of Russia as a third Rome (Byzantine Empire?) 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 , used Cossacks to seize new land • Not dissimilar to pioneer spirit of 19th century America – Provided a way to reward loyal nobles…familiar? • Not dependent on expansion for social control or economic advance • Benefitted from increased trade connections – Contributed 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 made diplomatic contact with the West – Ivan IV encouraged trading contacts – Western Europe viewed as a cultural and economic model • Artists and architects were imported, melding Renaissance styles with Russian traditions Russia’s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars • Ivan IV died without an heirThe Time of Troubles – Increased claims to power by boyars – 1613, assembly of boyars choose and established the Romanov Dynasty which lasted for nearly 300 years – Did not produce lasting constraints on tsarist power • Initial Romanov rulers work to reestablish order – Michael drove out foreign invaders , resumed expansion – Alexis abolished assemblies of nobles, more power over Russian church – Dissent earned 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 • Imitated Western military organization – Created loyal military to suppress local militias – Established a secret police to prevent dissent – Moved capital from Russia to new city, St. Petersburg • Searching for warm water access – Defeated 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, 16901790 Consolidation Under Catherine the Great • German-born princess, arranged marriage to distant heir of Peter the Great – Miserable marriage – Installed as empress following murder of husband • Resumed Peter the Great’s policies – Defended powers of centralized church, put down peasant uprisings – Pugachev Rebellion, opportunity to demonstrate authority – Continues selective Westernization • Genuine interest in Enlightenment, “Instruction of 1767” Russia’s First Westernization, 16901790 • 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, 16901790 • Continued tradition of expansion – Campaigns against Ottoman Empire, new territories in central Asia, claimed territory of Alaska • Played politics with Europe – Increased Russian involvement in Polish affairs – Lead 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 17th and 18th c. power of nobility over serfs increases steadily – following expulsion of Tatars, Russian peasants fell into debt had to 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 placed into servitude, the other half owed obligations to the state Themes in Early Modern Russian History – Russian-style serfdom very close to slavery • Could be bought , sold, gambled away, punished by masters • Russians enslaved their own instead of “outsiders” – Intensification of serf labor reflects eastern Europe’s subordination to the West (i.e. like Latin America) – Whole villages were sold as labor for manufacturing sector • Peasants forced to provide labor obligation, obrok, to landlords – Economic and legal position of peasantry continued 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 Peter the Great, still lagged 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 18th c. Western-oriented aristocrats criticized 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