Absolute Rulers of Russia

Absolute Rulers of Russia

Mr. Green

Why This Matters Today

This information is important because many Russians today debate whether to model themselves on the West or to focus on traditional Russian culture

The First Czar Ivan IV, known as Ivan The Terrible,

came to the throne in 1533 when he was only 3 years old

Seized power over the boyars- Russia’s landowning nobles who fought to control Ivan

Ivan’s “Good Period”- Added land, gave Russia a code of laws, and ruled justly

Rule by Terror Accusing the Boyars of poisoning

his wife, Ivan turned against them Ivan created a police force who

wore all black and rode black horses that murdered people who were suspected to be traitors

He put fear into everyone when he killed his own son

Romanovs Take Control

When Ivan’s youngest son died while in control, he left no heirs

Since the Russians had no ruler, the Boyars selected Michael Romanov to take control

The Romanovs would control Russia from 1613-1917

Peter the Great Comes to Power

Coming to power in 1696, Peter the Great became known as one of Russia’s greatest reformers

Had the mind of a genius, a body of a giant, and a temper of a bear

Religion in Russia Unlike being Catholic or

Protestant like most of Europe, Russia adopted the Eastern Orthodox Church

Peter Goes to Europe

Embarking on a journey to visit Western Europe, Known as the Grand Embassy, Peter wanted to learn how the Europeans were so advanced and longed for Russia to become a fierce power as well

Westernization Using Europe as a model for

change

To make this a reality in Russia, Peter became an absolute ruler over his people

Westernizing Russia Potatoes introduced Started Russia’s first newspaper Raised women’s status Advanced education

Establishing St. Petersburg

To get a ‘window’ to the West, Russia battled Sweden of a piece of the Baltic Coast

Named after Peter, St. Petersburg was built over a swamp and is know one of the most important ports in the world