Chapter 18: The Rise of Russia
Russia s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars Russia emerged as a new power in Eastern Europe after it gained independence from Mongol control. Liberation effort began in the 14 th century. Under Ivan III (Ivan the Great), Russia gained independence in 1462 CE. Ivan III organized a strong military, freed Russians from payments to Mongols and gained territory.
Russia s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars Economic life was slow. Trade was down, limited manufacturing Purely an agricultural economy Ivan III married the niece of a Byzantine emperor. Asserted control over all Orthodox churches. Called himself tsar (or Caesar). Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) continued territorial expansion. Killed opposition.
Russia s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars Territorial expansion focused on Central Asia to push Mongols back. Recruited cossacks (peasant military). Tsars gave nobles and bureaucrats estates on new land. Tsars had contacts with Western Europe. Ivan III had diplomatic missions to Western Europe. Ivan IV established trading contacts. Exchanged manufactured products for fur and raw materials.
Russia s Expansionist Politics Under the Tsars Time of Troubles Ivan IV died without an heir. New claims to power by boyars (nobles). Attacks from Sweden and Poland. Romanov Dynasty (1613-1917 CE) Michael Romanov (1 st Romanov) reestablished internal order. Drove out invaders. Expanded borders. Alexis Romanov (2 nd Romanov) Gained new power over the church.
Russia s First Westernization, 1690-1790 Peter I (Peter the Great) built up tsarist control and expanded territory. Wanted to move country into Western orbit, but didn t want it to become western. Autocratic Chancery of Secret Police Attacked Sweden; secured an ice-free port Moved capital from Moscow to St. Petersburg
Russia Under Peter the Great.
Russia s First Westernization, 1690-1790 Improvements in political organization Tried to streamline Russian bureaucracy Altered military structures Revised tax system Economic developments Built up mining industries Landlords rewarded for using a serf system Cultural change Encouraged upper-class women to wear Westernstyled clothing Required males to shave their beards Westernization of Russia
Russia s First Westernization, 1690-1790 Peter the Great died in 1724 Several decades of weak rule Peter III took the throne in 1761 and his wife Catherine II (Catherine the Great) defend the monarchy Catherine II Pugachev rebellion Installed as empress in 1762 CE Instruction of 1767 Service aristocracy and serfdom
Russia s First Westernization, 1690-1790 Catherine II Patronized Western-style art and architecture Continued Russian expansion Siberia, Alaska, Politics in Europe Partition of Poland in 1772, 1793, 1795 Eliminated Poland as an independent state By 1798, Russia had the largest land empire in the world.
Themes in Early Modern Russia History Serfdom: The Life of East Europe s Masses By 1800, half of people in Russia were serfs. Power of nobles over serfs steadily increased Was a way for government to satisfy the nobility and regulate peasants Serfdom was very close to slavery. Serfs paid high taxes, were illiterate and poor. Grain surpluses
Themes in Early Modern Russia History 95% of Russia was rural. Russia was able to support an expanding state and empire. Population doubled in 18 th century to a total of 36 million people. Agricultural methods were highly traditional. Peasants were unmotivated.
Themes in Early Modern Russia Social Unrest History Recurring peasant rebellions Pugachev Rebellion Cossack chieftan who claimed to be the legitimate tsar Promised to end serfdom, taxation, military conscription Forces roamed all over Russia until defeated Pugachev was cut into pieces in Moscow Russia and Eastern Europe