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RUSSIA IN THE 1600’S : (resembled Western Europe in 1000s). RUSSIAN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY: PETER THE GREAT. Russia was a very isolated and backward country for 4 main reasons:.
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RUSSIA IN THE 1600’S: (resembled Western Europe in 1000s) RUSSIAN ABSOLUTE MONARCHY: PETER THE GREAT
Russia was a very isolated and backward country for 4 main reasons: • 1.Geography: Far away from Western Europe by land; only had one seaport (Archangel) which was frozen ½ of the year. • 2. Religion: all Russians were Eastern Orthodox therefore all Roman Catholics and Protestants were heretics; all of their ideas and discoveries were rejected • 3. Social and Economic Structure: Most of the land and money controlled by the nobility (Boyars); most people were serfs; most people were illiterate • 4. Very Few Cultural influences from outside of Russia: Few foreigners lived or visited Russia; except German and Dutch Traders
PETER THE GREAT – Also known as Peter I • Peter Romanov (member of the Romanov Dynasty) • Like other czars before him Peter was an absolute monarch who claimed the Divine Right of Kings • Became czar 1689 @ age 24 years old • Personal life: • Rough childhood – used by nobility • 6’8”; energetic; intelligent; hot tempered • Loved ships/tools
Peter’s Goals as Czar: • Modernize Russia --- catch up to Western Europe • Get a warm water port (Black Sea or Baltic Sea) • Make Russia a great power • Reorganize Army (210,000) • Formed 1st Russian Navy • Rule with absolute power (decrease power of nobles)
How did Peter go about reaching his goals?Traveled to Europe to observe industry, military ships, clothing customs, etc. • Results of Peter’s trip – persuaded experts to come to Russia to bestow their knowledge; sent Russians abroad to study
REFORMS: (made after Peter’s return from Europe) • 1. Women can uncover faces; come to social parties • 2. Marriage: No arranged marriage unless kids agree • 3. Calendar: Currently the year 7028 in Russia ---- changed to 1700 like the rest of the world • 4. New Crop: Potato • 5. Industry: Started the 1st factories • 6. Newspaper: 1st newspaper; 1st editor • 7. Alphabet: simplified • 8. Church: Peter became head of the church • 9. Boyars (nobility): gave land and jobs to less powerful boyars (earned their loyalty) • 10. Army: trained and better paid --- now professional • 11. Taxes: went up and paid for the army • 12. Beards: Cut off or buy a license to wear them • 13. European style of dress: tried to enforce this but it was a failure --- too cold.
PETER WANTS A WARM WATER PORT • Two possibilities: Black Sea OR Baltic Sea
CREATION OF A NEW CAPITAL: • New Capital: St. Petersburg (started in 1703; land was still Sweden’s) • Location: on Neva River --- Near Baltic Sea • Built by Serfs – on swampy land – many died • All boyars must move their by 1712 • Peter dies in 1725 at age 52
RUSSIA AT THE TIME OF PETER’S DEATH: • High taxes • Oppressed serfs • Also a much more modern city --- becoming a world power