Russian Czars Increase Power

Chapter 21, section 4

Page 531

Russia

Ivan III Ruled Russia 1462-1505 Accomplished many things:1) Conquered much of territory around

Moscow2) Began to centralize Russian government

laying the foundation for absolute monarchy

3) Liberated Russia from the Mongols

Succeeded by son Vasily, ruled for 28 years

Continued his fathers work of adding territory and increased power of central government

This trend would continue under his son, Ivan IV

Ivan IV Known as Ivan the Terrible Took throne in 1533, just 3 years old Nobles (known as boyars) fought to control

young Ivan At 16, crowned himself czar (meaning

Caesar) and was the first Russian to use it officially

Ivan’s “Good Period” Married Anastasia, a beautiful girl related to

the boyar family, the Romanovs Between 1547-1560:

-Ivan won great victories

-added lands to Russia

-gave Russia a code of laws

-ruled justly

Ivan’s “Bad Period” Began in 1560 after Anastasia died Accused boyars of poisoning her, and turned

against them Organized a police force to hunt down and kill

those Ivan considered as traitors Thousands died, and Ivan would take their land

and give them to people who had remained loyal to him

1581 he killed his oldest son during a violent fight, leaving his weak son to rule after Ivan’s death

In 1581, Ivan beat his pregnant daughter-in-law for wearing immodest clothing, and this may have caused a miscarriage. His son Ivan, engaged in a heated argument with his father, which resulted in Ivan striking his son in the head with his pointed staff, causing his son's (accidental) death.

Painting titled Ivan Killing His Son

Time of Troubles His younger son was physically and

mentally incapable of ruling and died leaving no heir

Russia experienced “Time of Troubles” Boyars struggled for power Heirs of czars die mysteriously

The Romanov Dynasty 1613, representatives from Russian cities

met to choose the next able leader Choose Michael Romonov, grand-nephew

of Anastasia This begins the Romonov dynasty which

ruled Russia for 300 years (1613-1917)

Romanov’s restored order to Russia Strengthened government by passing

law code Put down revolts Paved way for the absolute ruler,

Peter the Great

Peter the Great Was 6 ft, 8 inches tall Had a strong sense of humor and

enjoyed playing practical jokes He also had a mean temper- he was

known to beat his officials with a stick He also signed execution papers for his

oldest son to be killed for opposing him, but he died from torture before the execution

Russia’s Differences from Europe When Peter took over, Russia was a land of boyars and

serfs Most boyars knew little of western Europe, looked to

Constantinople, which was closer, for leadership during Middle Ages, and Mongol rule cut them off from Renaissance and exploration periods

Religious differences widened the gap- Russian’s adopted Eastern Orthodox branch of Christianity

Geographic barriers isolated Russia- its only seaport was covered with ice most of the year

Peter Visits the West Peter was fascinated by modern tools,

machines, and the sea Believed Russia’s future depended on a

warm-water port and could then compete with western Europe

1697, embarked on a grand embassy, or a long journey to Europe to learn about their customs and techniques

Peter insisted on keeping his identity a secret

Wore plain clothes, went to the Netherlands and worked on ships and as a carpenter

Slowly, word spread of who he was Visited England and Austria before going

home

Peter Rules Absolutely Peter decided Russia would compete with

Europe on military and commercial terms Used Europe as a model for change Peter knew many would oppose changes

so he increased his powers and became an absolute ruler

Peter’s Changes Brought Russian Orthodox church under state

control and abolished position of “Head of Church”

Reduced power of landowners by recruiting men from low-ranking families, promoted them to positions of authority, and giving them land

Hired European officers to modernize army, drilling soldiers with new weapons and training

Army was up to 200,000 men- to pay for this, he imposed heavy taxes

Westernizing Russia To westernize Russia, Peter:

-introduced potatoes, became a staple of the Russian diet

-started Russia’s first newspaper

-allowed women to attend social gatherings

-ordered nobles to wear western fashions

-changed the New Year from Sep. to Jan.

-ordered men to shave their beard or pay a big tax

Peter actually shaved

some boyars and

officials himself

New western styles Russians were forced to wear

New Army

Russian potatoes

Russian Newspaper

New Capitol To promote education and growth, Peter

wanted a warm seaport This would also encourage trade and travel

with the west Peter fought and beat Sweden to gain a

piece of the Baltic coast Called it St. Petersburg and began building

on the swampy site- was very difficult

St. Petersburg Baltic Sea

Army forced serfs to leave home every summer and work at St. Petersburg

25,000 to 100,000 people died from terrible working conditions and diseases

Peter ordered many nobles to leave Moscow and live in St. Petersburg, the new capitol

St. Petersburg was the first planned city in Russia

Peter insisted the streets be broad, straight and paved with stone and lined with houses

Houses had to conform to standard patterns, based on social classes drawn up by official architects

Serfs working at St. Petersburg

Old capitol and new Capitol

Swampland

Known as “old St. Petersburg”

Statue of Peter in St. Petersburg

Peter’s Death Peter had a severe bladder infection, causing

doctors to perform a surgery to unblock 4 pounds of urine

After months of resting, Peter was anxious to get back to work

While inspecting a project along the Finnish Gulf, he noticed some soldiers drowning, and helped rescue them in icy waters

This, along with his healing bladder, caused another infection, causing Peter’s death

Peter on his deathbed

Peter had ruled for 42 years before he died Under Peter, Russia had become a power to be

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