Former Soviet Region Former Soviet Region Compared in Latitude & Compared in Latitude &

Area with the United Area with the United StatesStates

Themes Themes in Russian Historyin Russian History

Expansion by conquest.Expansion by conquest.

Need for warm-water Need for warm-water ports.ports.

The necessity of a The necessity of a strong, central strong, central government.government.

Early RussiaEarly Russia

Early Byzantine Early Byzantine Influences:Influences:

Orthodox ChristianityOrthodox Christianity

Early Byzantine Early Byzantine Influences:Influences:

Orthodox ChristianityOrthodox Christianity

Early Byzantine Early Byzantine Influences:Influences:

Cyrillic AlphabetCyrillic Alphabet

NovgorodNovgorod

Russian Russian BoyarsBoyars

Russian ExpansionRussian Expansion

Alexander Nevsky: 1220-Alexander Nevsky: 1220-12631263

Battle on the IceBattle on the Ice(Neva River) (Neva River) Against the Against the

SwedesSwedes

TeutonicTeutonicKnightKnight

The Mongols Invade The Mongols Invade RussiaRussia

Ivan the Great Ivan the Great (r. 1462-1505)(r. 1462-1505)

Ivan III Tearing the Great Khan’s Letter Ivan III Tearing the Great Khan’s Letter Requesting More Tribute in 1480.Requesting More Tribute in 1480.

Russia in the Late 1500sRussia in the Late 1500s

The Pendulum The Pendulum of Russian Historyof Russian History

Pro-WestPro-WestFor Progress & ChangeFor Progress & ChangeEncourage New Ideas,Encourage New Ideas,

Technologies, etc.Technologies, etc.

Anti-WestAnti-WestIsolationistIsolationistXenophobicXenophobic

Ultra-ConservativeUltra-Conservative

Most TsarsMost Tsars

Russian Orthodox Russian Orthodox ChurchChurch

MilitaryMilitary

BoyarsBoyars

peasantspeasants

A few TsarsA few Tsars

Intellectual elitesIntellectual elites

Merchants/Merchants/businessmenbusinessmen

Young members of the Young members of the middle class.middle class.

REFORM-MINDEDREFORM-MINDEDLEADERLEADER DEMAGOGUEDEMAGOGUE

Peter the Great Peter the Great (r. 1682-(r. 1682-1725) 1725)

Russia & Sweden After the Russia & Sweden After the Great Northern WarGreat Northern War

Catherine the Great r1762-1796

Russia’s next important ruler was actually a German princess who came to Russia to marry a grandson of Peter the Great. She became known as Catherine the Great.

• Husband became Czar Peter III

• Catherine and many nobles grew angry at his incompetent, weak rule

• Catherine seized power, was declared czarina of Russia

Takes Power

• Catherine saw self as true successor of Peter the Great

• Worked to build on his westernization efforts

• To emphasize legitimacy of her claim, built statue honoring Peter

Honoring Peter I

• Influenced by European thinkers—believed strong, wise ruler could improve life for subjects

• Reformed legal, education systems

• Removed restrictions on trade; promoted science, the arts

Early Reforms

Catherine the Great

Conflicts• Catherine tried to reform Russia, was distracted by conflict

• Faced war in Poland, where people wanted freedom from Russian influence

• 1768, Ottoman Empire joined Polish cause

Strengthening the Monarchy• In the end, man captured, beheaded, rebellion put down

• Rebellion convinced Catherine she needed to strengthen monarchy in rural areas; put local governments in hands of landowners, nobles

War and Rebellion• Eventually won war, took over half of Poland, territory on Black Sea

• While war raging, Catherine faced popular rebellion inside Russia

• Man claiming to be Peter III traveled countryside, leading ragtag army

Challenges to Catherine’s Rule

The “Big Blunder” -- Russia

The “Big Blunder” -- RussiaIn July, 1812 Napoleon led his Grand Armee of 614,000

men eastward across central Europe an into Russia.The Russians avoided a direct confrontation. The Russian Nobles abandoned their estates and burned their crops to the ground, leaving the French to operate far from their supply bases in territory stripped of food.They retreated to Moscow, drawing the French into the interior of Russia (knowing that it’s size and the weather would act as “support” for the Russian cause.

Napoleon’s Troops at the Gates of Moscow

Napoleon’s Troops at the Gates of Moscow

a September 14, 1812 Napoleon reached Moscow, but the city had largely been abandoned.

a The Russians had set fire to the city.

a September 14, 1812 Napoleon reached Moscow, but the city had largely been abandoned.

a The Russians had set fire to the city.

Moscow Is On Fire!Moscow Is On Fire!

Napoleon’s Retreat from Moscow (Early 1813)

Napoleon’s Retreat from Moscow (Early 1813)

100,000 French troops retreat—40,000 survive!100,000 French troops retreat—40,000 survive!

Trans-Siberian RailroadTrans-Siberian Railroad

1891-19161891-1916