Ch 5 Section 4 Absolute Rulers of Russia

Ch 5 – Section 4 Absolute Rulers of Russia Main Idea: Peter the Great made many changes in Russia to try to make it more like Western Europe Why It Matters Now: Many Russians today debate whether to model themselves on the West or to focus on traditional Russian culture

Ivan III • Ruled from 1462 -1505 (43 years) • Accomplished 3 things: ① Conquered area around Moscow ② Freed Russia from Mongols ③ Centralized Russian government • Son was Vasily • Grandson was Ivan IV

Ivan the Terrible • Came to power at age 3 – Boyars tried to control Ivan and kingdom • At 16 yrs Ivan officially became czar of Russia • Married Anastasia (Romanov family)

Ivan’s Moods • Good Period (1547 -1560) – Won wars, added land, ruled justly • Bad Period (1560 -end) – Wife died (murdered? ) • Accused boyars of poisoning her • Created his “Special Forces” – Hunt down those responsible – Thousands die • Gave land to “new” nobles loyal to him

Ivan’s Descendents • 1581 - Ivan killed his eldest son and heir to the Russian thrown – Left a weak son to rule instead • Dies leaving no heir • Imposter tries to take thrown • Relatives of the czar start to mysteriously die • Russian nobles select the Romanov family to rule – Related to Ivan the Terrible and his wife

Peter the Great • Peter I finally comes to power • Serfs still employed in Russia – Serfs were property, sold and bought, given as presents, used by the rich • Peter wanted to change Russia, Westernize it to be more like Europe – Grand Embassy took place • Long visit to Europe with the “heretics” (Catholics/Protestants)

Westernization Continues • Peter increased his power to westernize his nation – Got rid of Church Patriarch and made church follow his orders • Group called the Holy Synod – Hurt powerful landowners, took their land gave it to lower-ranking families – Hired European officers to modernize his army • Heavily taxed the people to help support all this – Increased education of Russians

St. Petersburg • Peter built a new city in Swedish land – Fought wars to gain this new area – Called it St. Petersburg • Became a warm weather port to reach Europe and the capital of Russia