Russian Czars Increase Power Chapter 21, section 4 Page 531
Dec 27, 2015
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
reckoned with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHze1oCAC9w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAANSQgM7M
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfWaHCWO42M&feature=related