Absolute Rulers of Absolute Rulers of RussiaRussia

Chapter 21, Section 4Chapter 21, Section 4

Essential Questions:Essential Questions: What steps did “Ivan the Terrible” What steps did “Ivan the Terrible”

take to consolidate power for take to consolidate power for himself?himself?

How did Russia contrast with the rest How did Russia contrast with the rest of Europe in the 1600s?of Europe in the 1600s?

What changes did Peter the Great What changes did Peter the Great bring to Russia and how were they bring to Russia and how were they resisted?resisted?

The First CzarThe First Czar

Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible– In 1533, Ivan the Terrible In 1533, Ivan the Terrible

becomes king of Russia becomes king of Russia @ age 3! (Yes, three)@ age 3! (Yes, three)

– Struggles for power with Struggles for power with boyarsboyars—landowning —landowning nobles.nobles.

– Seizes power @ age 16 and Seizes power @ age 16 and crowns himself czar, also crowns himself czar, also spelled tsar, meaning spelled tsar, meaning “caesar”. Marries Anastasia “caesar”. Marries Anastasia (Romanov).(Romanov).

Why So Terrible?Why So Terrible? Ivan’s “Good Period” 1547-1560Ivan’s “Good Period” 1547-1560

– Wins great victories Wins great victories – Expands Russia’s bordersExpands Russia’s borders– Creates a code of lawsCreates a code of laws– Rules justlyRules justly

Ivan’s “Bad Period”Ivan’s “Bad Period”– In 1560 Ivan’s wife, Anastasia, dies. Ivan accuses the boyars of In 1560 Ivan’s wife, Anastasia, dies. Ivan accuses the boyars of

poisoning her. Paranoia seizes Ivan and he becomes suspicious of poisoning her. Paranoia seizes Ivan and he becomes suspicious of the boyars.the boyars.

– Ivan abdicates in 1564, but is begged to return. He agrees as long Ivan abdicates in 1564, but is begged to return. He agrees as long as he is given as he is given absolute powerabsolute power..

– Ivan uses the Ivan uses the oprichnikioprichniki (or personal guard) to persecute the (or personal guard) to persecute the boyars, kill them, and seize their landsboyars, kill them, and seize their lands

Rise of the RomanovsRise of the Romanovs

Heir to the throne?Heir to the throne?– Ivan gets into an argument with his son (also Ivan gets into an argument with his son (also

named Ivan); hits him on the head and kills him.named Ivan); hits him on the head and kills him.– Next in line to the throne is Feodor, who is Next in line to the throne is Feodor, who is

mentally and physically not fit to lead. He dies mentally and physically not fit to lead. He dies childless and leaves no heir.childless and leaves no heir.

– Russia enters the “Time of Troubles”- constant Russia enters the “Time of Troubles”- constant change of leadershipchange of leadership

– Michael RomanovMichael Romanov, grand-nephew of Ivan IV, is , grand-nephew of Ivan IV, is chosen to be the next czar. Thus begins the chosen to be the next czar. Thus begins the rule of the Romanov Dynasty.rule of the Romanov Dynasty.

Peter the Great Comes to Peter the Great Comes to PowerPower

The Rise of PeterThe Rise of Peter– Peter the Great becomes Peter the Great becomes

czar in 1696, begins to czar in 1696, begins to reform Russiareform Russia

Russia Contrasts with Russia Contrasts with EuropeEurope– Cut off geographically Cut off geographically

from Europefrom Europe– Culturally isolated, little Culturally isolated, little

contact with western contact with western EuropeEurope

– Religious differences Religious differences widen gap (Russian widen gap (Russian Orthodox vs. Orthodox vs. Catholic/Protestant)Catholic/Protestant)

Peter Rules AbsolutelyPeter Rules Absolutely Peter Visits the WestPeter Visits the West

– In 1697, Peter (age 24) visits western Europe to In 1697, Peter (age 24) visits western Europe to learn European ways; known as “learn European ways; known as “the Grand the Grand EmbassyEmbassy””

Peter’s GoalPeter’s Goal– Goal of Goal of westernizationwesternization—using western Europe —using western Europe

as a model for changeas a model for change Peter’s ReformsPeter’s Reforms

– Brings Orthodox Church under state controlBrings Orthodox Church under state control– Reduces power of great landownersReduces power of great landowners– Modernizes army by having European officers Modernizes army by having European officers

train soldierstrain soldiers

Peter Rules Absolutely Peter Rules Absolutely (continued)(continued)

Westernizing RussiaWesternizing Russia– Introduces potatoesIntroduces potatoes– Starts Russia’s first newspaperStarts Russia’s first newspaper– Raises women’s statusRaises women’s status– Adopts Western fashionAdopts Western fashion– Advances educationAdvances education

Peter Rules Absolutely Peter Rules Absolutely (continued)(continued)

Establishing St. PetersburgEstablishing St. Petersburg– Peter wants a seaport that will make travel Peter wants a seaport that will make travel

to West easier.to West easier.– Fights Sweden 21 years to win a port on Fights Sweden 21 years to win a port on

Baltic SeaBaltic Sea– In 1703, begins building new capital called In 1703, begins building new capital called

St. PetersburgSt. Petersburg- “the window on Europe”.- “the window on Europe”.– Building city takes many years, many serfs Building city takes many years, many serfs

die in process.die in process.– By the time of Peter’s death, Russia is force By the time of Peter’s death, Russia is force

to be reckoned with in Europeto be reckoned with in Europe

““English Embankment,” English Embankment,” St. Petersburg, RussiaSt. Petersburg, Russia

Palace Square, St. Palace Square, St. PetersburgPetersburg

Church of the Savior on Spilt Church of the Savior on Spilt Blood,Blood,

St. Petersburg, RussiaSt. Petersburg, Russia

Still the same old problems?Still the same old problems?

Today, Russia still suffers from an identity Today, Russia still suffers from an identity crisis. crisis. – Is it an Eastern nation or a Western nation?Is it an Eastern nation or a Western nation?– Example: the Ukraine (a former Russian Example: the Ukraine (a former Russian

Republic with a sizable Russian-speaking Republic with a sizable Russian-speaking population.population.

– The country is on the verge of civil war The country is on the verge of civil war because those in the western part of the because those in the western part of the country wish to improve western ties, country wish to improve western ties, whereas those in the east wish to grow closer whereas those in the east wish to grow closer to Russiato Russia