Section 5 Absolute monarchy in russia Peter the

Section 5: Absolute monarchy in russia

Peter the Great

Early life -At age 10 came to the throne, but did not take control of government until 1689 -in 1697 he studied Western technology, and noted the customs and homes -He adopted Western ideas, technology, and culture or a policy of westernization.

Leadership -Most autocratic of Europe’s absolute monarchs -He wanted to do three things: *Strengthen the army *Expand Russian borders *Centralize royal power -One way to strengthen his power was to make landowning nobles or Boyar serve the state

expansion -search for warm-water port -Located along the Black Sea, a port that was free of ice all year -Peter the Great attempted to fight the Ottoman Empire and gain the warm-water port but was defeated

War with Sweden Peter the Great first suffered defeats over the Baltic region. ¡ In 1709, Peter defeated the Swedes and won land along the Baltic Sea. ¡

Peter’s City ¡ ¡ ¡ Peter built a magnificent new capital city called St. Petersburg. The city was located on the swampy shores of the Neva River and was a “window on the west. ” Was a symbol of Peter’s desire to forge a modern Russia.

Toward the Pacific Peter signed a treaty with Qing China to define their common border in the east. ¡ Vitus Bering, a Danish explorer, explored an area known as the Bering Strait between Siberia and Alaska. ¡

Russia After the Ruler Further expanded Russian territory ¡ Gained a warm-water port on the Baltic Sea ¡ Created a mighty army ¡ Ended Russia’s long period of isolationism. ¡

CATHERINE THE GREAT

Early Life Was a German princess ¡ At age 15, wed to the throne of Russia ¡ Czar Peter III was murdered and Czarina Catherine the Great took the throne. ¡

Leadership An Efficient Ruler ¡ She reorganized the provincial government. ¡ She codified the laws. ¡ She began education for girls and boys. ¡ She embraced French/ Western ideas. ¡

A Ruthless Absolute Monarch She allowed boyars tax exemptions. ¡ She allowed boyars to increase their powers over the peasants. ¡ Conditions for peasants grew worse during Catherine’s reign. ¡

Expansion War with the Ottoman Empire resulted in Catherine the Great’s expanding her borders and gaining a warm-water port on the Black Sea. ¡ Partition of Poland ¡ l Three Monarchs: Catherine the Great, Frederick the Great, and Emperor Joseph II agree to divide up Poland instead of fighting one another.

Russia After the Ruler: FINAL THOUGHTS Absolute Monarchs ruled four out of five leading powers in Europe. ¡ Radical change will shatter the French monarchy, upset the balance of power, and revolutionize European societies. ¡