The Rise of Russia

Reported by:Joemar Magante

III-16 BSE History

Characteristics of Russian History (Early Modern)

•Alterated power balances in Eurasia

•Limited commercial exchange•Liberation from the Mongol rule

•Byzantine-influenced culture•Territories pushed Eastward

•Grand Duchy of Moscow•Success of Ivan III – Military focus, Nationalism and Orthodox Christian religion

1. Rule of the Tsars: Expansionist Policy

Ivan III

2. Revival PeriodReduced vigor of Russian culture (Mongol Rule)Declined of literacy, economy remained agricultural peasantryIvan III rule – Centralization, Imperial and Supervision of Orthodox ChurchIvan IV - killed many boyars or nobles naming him as “Ivan The Terrible”

Ivan The Terrible

• Central Asia: From Caspian Sea to Ural Mountains

• Western Siberia during the 16th century

• Cossacks or peasant adventurers occupy new lands.

• Loyal nobles and bureaucrats are given land titles.

• Slavery remains, Asian trading• Multiculturalism prevailed

3. Patterns of Expansion

4. The Western Contacts •Diplomatic missions to Western states by Ivan III

•British merchants on trade by Ivan IV.

•Kremlines. Italian architects began to work on Russian architectural designs for churches.

5. Time of Troubles and the Romanovs

After the death of Ivan IV, there was no heir of the throne.Boyars tried to control the government.Sweden and Poland seized territory.Romanov Family gains the rule.

a. Michael Romanov – restored internal order, drove foreign invaders and imperial expansion.

b. Alexis Romanov – abolish the local nobilities, restored power of state over church.

 6. Tsarist Autocracy• Autocratic, Brutal suppression of the revolts

• State decrees were given for reforms

• Westernized bureaucrats and military force

• Emergence of secret police• Foreign policies created hostilities

• St.Petersburg as the new capital.

7. First Westernization and the rule of Peter The GreatRussia became a great land empirePeter The Great – imitated Western forms and styles of influences in art, education, politics and military.Russian navy is established.Use of serfs in the agricultural and mining.Resistance from all classes.

Do Now: If Tsar Peter the Great is cutting off the beards of nobles to make them look like Western Europeans, what other kinds of changes do you think he will bring to

Russia?

Tsar Peter the Great with a pair of shears, about to remove the beard of a

conservative subject.

Peter The Great

8. Catherine The GreatConsolidation Rule

Purgachev Peasant Rebellion caused extension of central authority of Czarina.Brough new ideas and enlightenment Patron for the arts and architectureRise of Russian expansionism – acquired Crimea, Siberia, claimed Alaska and Northern California.

Catherine The Great

Catherine the GreatTreatment of Social Classes

• Freed nobles from state services and taxes

• Increased serfdom

• Made nobles status hereditary, gave them full control over their serfs – could sell them

• No merchant class So much for all that “liberty” talk! If we complain, we will be

whipped and imprisoned for life!

Enlightened Despot

• Friend of Voltaire and other philosophes

• Patronized the arts, created Hermitage Museum

• Increased education – especially for girls

• Created medical commission – took first vaccine in Russia and improved medical conditions

• Encouraged modernization of agriculture and industry

• Relaxed censorship laws

Catherine the Great

Catherine believed that all citizens are equal and subject to the same laws! Did

you know that Catherine is actually a pen pal of Voltaire!

9. Alexander I and the Congress of Vienna

Russian army killed French troops of Napoleon I.Called as the “Savior of Europe” and joined the Congress of Vienna.Constitutional Monarchy prevailed in Russia.

10. Nicholas I

• Decemberist revolt to oust Nicholas and install his brother to the throne.

• Crushed the revolt• Turn away for

Westernization policy

 11. Emancipation of Alexander II

•Abolition of Serfdom in Russia

•Gaining rights, freedom and equality for the serfs and for all classes.

•Growth of industries and middle class

 

12. The Reactionary Alexander III•Maxim: Autocracy, Orthodoxy, National Character

•Shut Russia off from Western influences

•Considered Slavophile

 13. Nicholas II and the Revolutionary Movement

Forces emerged to overthrow the tsar.Three Parties of Opposition:a. Constitutional Democratic party or Kadetsb. Socialist-Revolutionary Party or Esers in 1901c. Russian Social Democratic Labour Party or RSDLP in 1898

Nicholas II

THANK YOU!

From Mary Stuart.