Russia Under the Tsars

1. Russia Under the Tsars In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms: Tsar (Czar) Peter the Great Westernization Catherine the Great E. Napp

2. By the end of the 15th century, local rulers around Moscow declared their independence from the Mongols. E. Napp

3. Even with independence from the Mongols, most Russians were serfs or peasants bound to Lords’ lands. E. Napp

4. Russian nobles exercised almost absolute power over their serfs in exchange for absolute loyalty to the Tsar (Czar). E. Napp

5. A tsar or czar was the Russian title for a king. Russian tsars had absolute power. E. Napp

6. Peter the Great was an important Russian tsar. He tried to modernize and westernize Russia. E. Napp

7. Peter the Great • Peter the Great was an important Russian tsar or czar from 1682 -1725. • He modernized Russia by introducing Western ideas, culture, and technology. • He moved the capital of Russia from Moscow to St. Petersburg to have a “window on the West”. E. Napp

8. Can you see why St. Petersburg gave Peter the Great a “window on the West”? E. Napp

9. Catherine the Great was a Russian Tsarina or Czarina from 1762-1796. E. Napp

10. Catherine the Great • Catherine the Great continued Peter the Great’s policies of expansion and Westernization. • She also promoted limited reforms during her reign. • However, she refused to part with any of her absolute power. E. Napp

11. Like Peter the Great, Catherine the Great was an absolute ruler. E. Napp

12. During Peter the Great’s reign, Russian nobles were forced to dress and look Like Western Europeans. E. Napp

13. Russia is a country on two continents: Europe and Asia. Under Peter and Catherine, Russia turned towards Europe. E. Napp

14. Questions for Reflection: • Why did Russian noble have absolute power over their serfs? • What was a Tsar? • What were two of Peter the Great’s goals for Russia? • What did Catherine the Great accomplish when she was Tsarina? • How were Russian tsars similar to Louis XIV? E. Napp