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From Mongols, to Muscovy, to Czarism

Explore the early history of Russia, from the Viking tribes to the establishment of the Russian Orthodox Christianity, the rule of the Mongols, the rise of Muscovy, and the reign of the Romanovs. Learn about the social, cultural, political, and economic reforms implemented by Peter the Great, and Russia's expansion and conquest.

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From Mongols, to Muscovy, to Czarism

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  1. Russia From Mongols, to Muscovy, to Czarism

  2. Early History • 862 the “Rus” (Viking tribes) began to organize in what is now the Ukraine – they were settlers from Scandinavia and had traveled along water routes. • 962 the “Kievan Rus” was established in Novgorod.

  3. Russian Orthodox Christianity • In the 10th century, Vladimir sought out a religion for his people. The legend of how he chose Orthodox Christianity is as follows: • He sent men to study Catholicism, Islam, and Judaism. • The man who went to study Catholicism returned and mentioned that Catholics had to answer to the Pope – Vladimir did not want to answer to anyone – No to Catholicism • The man who went to study Islam returned and informed Vladimir that Muslims could not drink alcohol – No to Islam • The man who went to study Judaism returned and reported that Jews did not have to answer to any man and they could drink – Vladimir liked this, but at the same time… • A merchant returned from the Byzantine World would drawings of Orthodox Christian Churches and icons. Vladimir was so overcome with their beauty (and the fact there was not a “pope” and alcohol was not forbidden) that he chose Orthodox Christianity as the religion of Russia.

  4. Mongols • In 1240, Kiev was destroyed by the Mongols and the Russian territory was split into numerous smaller dukedoms. • Mongols gain control Russia, known as the Golden Horde • Mongols do not disrupt Russian culture • Decline of Mongols after 100-200 years of rule • Rise of Muscovy – shift from Kiev to Moscow

  5. Muscovy • After the Mongols were pushed out of Russia, power shifted from Kiev to Moscow. • After the fall of Constantinople, Ivan III (1462-1505) referred to his empire as "the Third Rome" and considered it heir to the Byzantine tradition. • Ivan IV (the Terrible) (1530-1584) was the first Russian ruler to call himself czar. He pushed Russian eastward with his conquests • Ivan was succeeded by Boris Godunov, whose reign commenced the so-called Time of Troubles. Relative stability was achieved when Michael Romanov established the Romanov Dynasty that ruled Russia until 1917.

  6. Social Classes • There were two main “classes” in Russian history 1. Cossacks – peasants 2. Boyars – nobles

  7. Romanovs • Michael Romanov – was elected to be Czar/Tzar/Tsar (sounds like Caesar), but afterwards the ruling family of Russia was inherited. • Alexis became Czar in 1645 and ruled until 1676. • His son Fedor (Theodore) III became Czar and was basically competent, but he was physically deformed and had some problems ruling. He died and his two brothers Ivan V and Peter I were declared co-Czars. Ivan was mentally retarded, so their sister really ruled until Peter was old enough to.

  8. Peter the Great • Struggle for the crown • Russia = Backward, 100 years behind • Westernization • Reforms aimed at getting Russia up to speed • The Great Embassy

  9. European Tour • When Peter was young he went on a tour of Europe. • He traveled in disguise and even performed manual labor along the way. • He became convinced that Russia needed to become as “westernized” as Europe.

  10. St. Petersburg, 1703 • Peter sought easy access to the Baltic Sea -- needed for trade and military • Peter builds a new capital – St. Petersburg

  11. Cultural Reforms of Peter Goal: aimed to “westernize” society, little impact on the peasantry • Clothing changed to German style • The Boyars were forced to shave their beards. • The calendar was changed to more closely resemble that of Europe. • Language - a written language was established. • Education - increase in the number of schools, attendance, and emphasis on education. • Architecture

  12. Peter the Great Social Reform • Table of Ranks (civil service) • Serfs - sold to factories, this is the first time they’re mentioned in law and it serves to condone serfdom. • Education - more schools, more requirements • Church reform - establishment of Holy Synod, reorganization of clergy

  13. Peter the Great Political / Institutional Reform • Law of Succession - says the successor is the choice of the ruler, leads to trouble in succession. • Colleges • Municipal / Provincial reform

  14. Peter the Great Economic reform • Poll tax • Establishment of industry – mini Industrial Revolution that was supported by the state.

  15. Religious “Reform” • Did away with the Russian Patriarch (like a pope, but with less power) • Holy Synod would make decisions

  16. Peter the Great Military reform • Military made up of both Cossacks and Boyars • Boyars were forced into service – way of controlling them • Issued Table of Rank which defined someone’s social status based upon military rank • Founded the navy • 200,000 men drafted – for life

  17. Expansion and Conquest • Russia won the Great Northern War (1700-21) against Sweden’s Charles XII including the Battle of Poltava (1709) and signed the Peace of Nystad (1721) ending the war. • Russia annexed Latvia and Estonia

  18. Other Fun Facts • Peter the Great was 6’8” tall • He sent his first wife to a nunnery, he later married a servant • Had ten legitimate children • Had his oldest son killed

  19. Peter – a Legacy • He simply tried to do too much. • Russia wasn’t ready for Peter and his reforms. • His reforms can be considered to be aimed primarily at making Russia stronger militarily, to help Russia fight wars. • Because Peter initiated all of the reforms on his own, all of them could be changed after he died • There was now less emphasis on the idea of the state representing the rule of God, instead on initiating its own ideas and letting them stand for themselves, on their own merit. • Serfdom

  20. No dominant leader • Continued Myth of the Benevolent Czar From Peter to Catherine – a Quick Peek – more details later • Catherine I (1725-1727) • Peter II (1727-1730) • Anna (1730-1740) • Ivan VI (1740-1741) • Elizabeth (1741-1761) • Peter III (1761-1762)

  21. Snapshot of Russian Society • Peasantry – 90% (47% public, 53% private) • Townspeople – 3% • Clergy – 1% • Nobility – 1% (3% owned 50% of serfs)

  22. Nobility Clergy Townspeople Peasantry

  23. Catherine the Great(1762-1796) • Seizure of power – the coup • German Czarina • Sought to continue in Peter’s footsteps • More on her later --

  24. Russia – Themes: 1450 -1750 • Culturally distinct (not Europe, not Asia) • Backward (no Renaissance, no Reformation) but attempts to catch up through state-sponsored Westernization • Rural (95% of population) • Serfdom (until 1861) • Strong Nobility – ever-present Myth of the Benevolent Czar

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