Russian Empire:

Challenges of Modernization

Avvakum and Old Believers

Movement away from Mongols

The Gathering of Russian Lands

Beginnings of Imperial state

Cossacks

The driving force in Ivan’s attempts to unify under an autocratic regime.

The Third Rome

Caesaropapism/Caesar/Tsar Divine Right of Kings Autocratic

Ivan IV (the terrible)

Governance

Chosen council Assemblies of the land

Oprichniki

Time of Troubles

Romanov Dynasty

Peter the Great

Conquerors Video An inspired youth Connnection to the Sea

Russia and the Sea

Peter the Tsar (Czar) Reforms

Instituted a forced and rapid modernization Worked to base Russian

industries on most advanced science and technology

Sent Russians to study abroad Traveled to western Europe to

learn about governments, military, and industries

Military reform Equipped better-paid and better-

trained armies with modern weapons

Ordered aristocratic officers to study mathematics and geometry

Built the largest army in Europe, defeated Sweden in the Great Northern War

Bureaucratic reform Relied on nobles to serve as government

officials Established the Table of Ranks based on

merits Social reform

Abolished the terem (harem), encouraged social mixing of the sexes

Ordered women to wear western clothing and ordered men to shave beards

“Window to the West”

PORT! Great Northern War St. Petersburg Modern power at time of his death in 1725

Politics of the 17th century

England French Absolutism Habsburg Empire

The Limits of Westernization

Best emphasized by Catherine the Great The Czarina tried to westernize, but found

continuing these reforms impossible. Attracted to ideals of the West—Voltaire and

the Enlightenment. Unwilling to relinquish her absolutist control. “You write on paper, I have to write on skin

which is far more ticklish”.

Pugachev’s Rebellion

Peasant rebellion Protesting taxes Attacked nobles,

officials, and priests Crushed by the Czar’s

army Ended any ideas of

westernization in Russia.

Restrict foreign ideas in Russia

Russian Empire

Social matters in Russia

Similar to China in that their social system is dependent on the status of peasants (serfs)

Law Code of 1649 Serfs can be sold Fixed occupational castes Catherine gave greater control over serfs Nobility given near complete control over their

lives

Russian commerce

Began with European trade—primarily in fur. Russians interested in European wares and

manufactured goods. Russians gradually grew weary of trade and

demanded restriction on foreign trade

Russian Religion

Two primary views Avvakum and the

Old Believers refused to accept the views of Nikon and the New Believers.

Political influence over time.

Russian Empire under Pressure

Crimean War: Russia seeking a

warm water Mediterranean Port

At the expense of the Ottomans

Eastern Question Russia whipped—

demonstrates need to modernize

Attempts to modernize in wake of Crimean WarProblem Liberation of serfs by

Alexander the II Increasing agricultural

output by liberating serfs Give political rights in the

form of zemstvos

Outcome Serfs had to pay a tax

without political rights, preferred serfdom.

Agricultural production didn’t increase

Undemocratic bodies with no real authority

Attempts to modernize industry

Solution Sergei Witte’s system to

promote railway construction

Remodeled the state bank

Industrialization

Outcome Other industries

stimulated

Loans were easier to get and industry grew

Fell hardest on workers

Russo-Japanese War

Goal Territorial conquest in

goal of modernization

Outcome Significant, embarrasing

defeat.

Political Changes

Revolution of 1905 Bloody Sunday Massacre Peasant uprising and

Urban workers formed “soviets”

Outcome Establishment of Duma Socialism begins to

become a powerful force in Russia.