Why was Russia different from the rest of Europe?

• Feudalism and serfdom cont’d in Russia until the 1800s.

• Russia was Eastern Orthodox and had been influenced by Constantinople not Rome – so no Reformation.

Why was Russia different from the rest of Europe?

• Mongol rule had shielded them from Renaissance and Exploration

• Only one seaport due to location and weather – so no Exploration.

• A series of Russian leaders called czars, including Ivan the Terrible, tried to strengthen Russia and weaken Russian boyars or nobles.

• After an initial “good” period, Ivan creates a ruthless police state & persecutes or severely punishes anyone who opposed him.

The Boyars• Russian nobles, most called

themselves Princes.• 10th – 17th Centuries were the

“real” rulers of Russia.• Positions in society were based

on service your family did for the Czar and owning land.

• Pretty much had no checks on their local power.– Could change your loyalty

to different princes, depending on what they would give you in return.

The Boyars

• Dressed more like Arabs with beards that you were never supposed to trim.

• Separate society from women.– Women weren’t often

seen – let alone heard!– Covered hair and no

shape to clothing.

The Boyars

• Lived on their feudal estates with their own armies and self-sufficient economies.

• Little interest in the outside world.

• Do you see Muslim influence?

The Church = Russian Orthodox

• One of the oldest Christian religions.

• Does not recognize the Pope or Catholic Church.

• They believe they practice the Christian religion of the Roman Emperor Constantine.

Russian Orthodox Church

• Ruled by the Patriarch.• Urged people to not be

corrupted by outside influences.

• Urged the serfs to remain loyal without questioning the Boyars.

• Life is suffering, but heaven will be your reward.

Russian Orthodox Church

The Serfs

• At the time of Peter the Great, they made up 95% of the population in Russia.

• They were essentially slaves – bound to the land and bound to the noble.

The Serfs

• Had absolutely no say about anything in their lives.

Over these three levels of society were the CZARS

• Czar = Caesar / Emperor.

• Sometimes in books as Tsar.

• Technically had absolute power.– But few czars had been

powerful enough to make the boyars and the church obey him.

Romanov DynastyRomanov Dynasty(1613-1917)(1613-1917)

Romanov Romanov Family CrestFamily Crest

• After Ivan died, Russia entered a Time of Troubles with no strong leaders. This ended when Romanov rulers restored order.

• 1696 Peter the Great becomes the ruler of Russia. Russia was still a land of nobles and serfs, and was isolated and backwards

Before Peter: The Time of Troubles

• The belief in “blue blood” was also with the Russian Czars.

• 1600 – the last of the “Rurik” czars died with no children.– Family had ruled since

900 AD.– WHO SHOULD BE

CZAR?

The Time of Troubles

• “Smutnoya Vremya”’• No czar and wars

broke out between the boyars.

• Sensing weakness and the chance to take land – Poland and Lithuania invaded.

• Russia was in chaos!

The Romanovs become Czar

• A distant relative of the last Rurik czar.

• Started a dynasty in 1613 that would last until 1918.– This is NOT the

Hapsburg double-headed eagle!

– It is the Romanov symbol.

The Pendulum The Pendulum of Russian Historyof Russian History

Pro-WestPro-WestFor Progress & ChangeFor Progress & ChangeEncourage New Ideas,Encourage New Ideas,

Technologies, etc.Technologies, etc.

Anti-WestAnti-WestIsolationistIsolationistXenophobicXenophobic

Ultra-ConservativeUltra-Conservative

Most TsarsMost Tsars

Russian Russian Orthodox Orthodox ChurchChurch

MilitaryMilitary

BoyarsBoyars

peasantspeasants

Intellectual elitesIntellectual elites

Merchants/Merchants/businessmenbusinessmen

Young members of Young members of the middle class.the middle class.

A few TsarsA few Tsars

REFORM-MINDEDREFORM-MINDEDLEADERLEADER DEMAGOGUEDEMAGOGUE

Would the daughter of Peter the Great let a baby rule?

• Elizabeth took the throne.• Infant Ivan was

imprisoned. – Never left his prison.– Not allowed contact except

with guards.– No education.– Effort to “rescue” him and

make him czar failed and he was killed by his guards in 1764.

Empress Elizabeth aka Czarina

• Continued her father’s westernization, but had censorship of ideas she did not agree with.

• Waged years of war against Prussia.– Frederick the Great

• Could be kind and generous.– Abolished the death penalty.

• “Had to be the bride at every wedding, the corpse at every funeral.”– “It is all about ME.”

Empress Elizabeth

• Selected a nephew to become the next czar.– The future Peter III

• Put some special thought into deciding who his wife should be.– Selected German Princess

Sophia Augusta Frederika of Anhalt – Zerbst.• Known in history as ___

Catherine the Great

Huh?

• How does a German princess become the Czarina of Russia?

• What happened to her husband?

Her husband Peter -

• Not very smart• Not good looking• Loved everything

PRUSSIAN not Russian.– Cheered on Frederick

the Great against his aunt.

Peter and Catherine

• Were NOT a good couple. • Peter preferred male-

looking German women for mistresses rather than being with his wife.

• Empress Elizabeth wanted a son from Peter and Catherine.– Blamed Catherine– What is a woman to do?

1762: Elizabeth dies

• Peter ends the war with Frederick the Great at a great loss to Russia.

• Peter puts his Prussian Guards above the Russian nobles.

• Plans to divorce Catherine.– Monastery for her!– Marry a German mistress.

Catherine’s current lover helps hatch a plan!

• Gregori Orlov• Stage a Coup d’Etat.– A takeover of the

government.– Imprison Peter.– Make Catherine the

Czarina.

The “bloodless” coup

• When Peter traveled to Prussia, Catherine, with the help of the palace guard, overthrew him.

• Three days later, Peter dies, and many accuse Catherine, who also murdered two other claimants to the throne.

It Worked!

• Peter was so hated that people welcomed Catherine to the throne. – Peter ended up being

murdered.• By Gregori Orlov

– Paul always harbored a hatred of his mother for not making him czar and killing his “father.”

Catherine the Great – what happened with Prince Orlov?

• She never married again.• She kept many lovers.

– Would enjoy, give them land, serfs, and money as a “pension”.

– But expected the men to be loyal to her for life.

– Some say 11 lovers, others say 300 lovers in her life.

Catherine and Orlov

• Had a son together.• He was raised by both his

parents and made noble. • Alexsai did a great deal of

traveling in the west.• Gregory Orlov, broken at

not getting Catherine to marry him, went west for five years, came home a “broken” man.– Died after marrying his niece

in retaliation against Catherine.

Catherine the Great

• Did not get along with her son at all.

• Took her grandsons, Alexander and Nicholas and raised them, intending to make one of them the czar over their father.

Catherine the Great

• Set forth new efforts with an effective ruler to keep going with Peter the Great’s reforms.

Catherine the Great

• Died before she could make her choice law in 1796. – Ruled Russia for 34 years– Not bad for a non-Russian

woman!• Paul took over and tried to

undo everything his mother had done.– Made it law no woman

could rule in Russia.– He was murdered five years

later.

Catherine the Great: An Enlightened Despot

Catherine the GreatAn Enlightened Ruler

Reorganized government, so she knew what was happening throughout Russia.

Codified laws (wrote them down!)

State-sponsored education for boys and girls.

Enlightened Despots• Catherine the Great of

Russia (r. 1762-1796)– German born wife of Czar

Peter III– Controlled government after

Peter III’s accidental(?) death– Increased European culture in

Russia– Peasant Reforms– Territorial Expansion– Corresponded with Diderot

Russia

• Catherine II became ruler, 1762• Dreamed of establishing order, justice, supporting education, culture

• Read works of, corresponded with Voltaire, Diderot

Limitations

• Intended to free serfs, but would lose support of wealthy landowners• Catherine had no intention of giving up power

• Became tyrant, imposed serfdom on more Russians than ever before

Reforms

• Drafted Russian constitution, code of laws• Considered too liberal, never put into practice

Catherine the Great

Catherine the Great of Russia• Modernized the Russian

army and government• Studied in France during the

Enlightenment• Tried to link Russia to the

West through trade and diplomatic relations

• Increased Russia’s territory, especially against the Ottomans (Turks) – sought to link Russia to its Slavic neighbors to the south

Catherine IIح Catherine IIم German by birth, husband of Peter III; easily assimilated م Practical sense and great energy (five in the morning); corresponded with Diderot ح Trained Alexander on the Western Model; Swiss La Harpe

ح continued Westernization, modernization started by Peter Iح Estrangement of upper class from their own people

ح Summoned a Legislative Commission from which obtained valuable informationح Legal codification, restrictions on the use of torture, religious toleration except Old Believers

ح Unscrupulous foreign policy but accepted practice of the day, main builder of modern Russiaم Eastern Question م Greek Projectم Defeated the Turks but checked by balance of powerم Three Partitions of Polandم Black Sea, Odessaم Potemkin villages

ح “You write only on paper but I have to write on human skin”

1762 – 1796

8

Catherine IIح Failure to reform serfdom; peasant rebellion discouraged further efforts

ح Pugachev’s rebellion (1773)ح Worked upon by Old Believersح Recalled Stephen Razin ح Class antagonism profoundح Emelian Pugachev, dubbed Peter III, headed an insurrection in the Uralsح Imperial manifesto proclaimed end of serfdom, taxes, and military

consription ح Famine dispersed rebels ح Betrayed, body drawn and quartered

ح Catherine responded with repression ح Conceded more powers to the landlords; shook off Peter I’s compulsory state

serviceح Culmination of serfdom,; Moscow Gazette “For sale, two plump coachmen”ح Russian Empire with the consent of the serf-owning gentry

1762 – 1796

8

Personality Traits of Catherine II• Spent hours alone reading French romances, Roman literature, and the works of

philosophers like Voltaire and Diderot• She was generous, considerate, and humane.• She was a German princess. When she married, she changed her name, religion,

and learned Russian to truly be a Russian czarina.• She was known as the “Little Mother” to her people.• She spoke freely with her advisers.• She was open about her lovers. There were at least 12 of them over her lifetime.

When she tired of them, she would send the off with money, gems, and thousands of serfs.

• Most likely had to suppress her longingsfor her homeland, but was a greatqueen for her adoptive country

Personality Traits (cont.)• She rose at 6 AM. She would rub her face with ice to wake up and would drink 5

cups of black coffee. She also worked 15 hour days.• She wanted to know everything. She was an avid learner.• She was passionate, energetic, curious, and had a desire to create and control.• She had a profound understanding of human nature and the impact of public

opinion.• She found her husband to be inept ruler. When she learned that he was going to

divorce her she planned to overthrow him. On June 28, 1762 the army sided with Catherine and Peter was arrested and murdered four days later and she took the throne in 1762 and she ruled until 1796.

• Her lovers included: Serge Saltuikov, a court chamberlain; Stanislav Poniatowski, a member of one of Poland’s grand families – would love Catherine his entire life; Simon Zorich, a major in the Hussars; Ivan Rimsky-Korsakov, a talented musician with an amazing voice; Alexander Lanskoy, the youngest of Catherine’s favorites, almost loved him like a mother, but then died of diphtheria

Russia’s next important ruler was actually a German princess who came to Russia to marry a grandson of Peter the Great. She became known as

Catherine the Great.

• Husband became Czar Peter III

• Catherine and many nobles grew angry at

his incompetent, weak rule

• Catherine seized power, was declared czarina of

Russia

Takes Power• Catherine saw self as true successor of Peter

the Great

• Worked to build on his westernization efforts

• To emphasize legitimacy of her claim,

built statue honoring Peter

Honoring Peter I• Influenced by European

thinkers—believed strong, wise ruler could

improve life for subjects

• Reformed legal, education systems

• Removed restrictions on trade; promoted

science, the arts

Early Reforms

Catherine the Great

Catherine Looking At Peter The Great’s Legacy

She was born a Germany, yet

married Elizabeth’s nephew Peter,

who was heir to the throne.

As a young girl and the rest of her life, she devoured books. Learning helped her to escape the palace intrigues of the Peter’s aunt, Tsarina Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth

died, Peter made peace with whom?

Yes, Frederick the Great.

Peter was assassinated within six months, and in a

military coup, Catherine took the

throne.

Conflicts• Catherine tried to reform Russia, was distracted by conflict

• Faced war in Poland, where people wanted freedom from Russian influence

• 1768, Ottoman Empire joined Polish cause

Strengthening the Monarchy• In the end, man captured, beheaded, rebellion put down

• Rebellion convinced Catherine she needed to strengthen monarchy in rural areas; put local governments in hands of landowners, nobles

War and Rebellion• Eventually won war, took over half of Poland, territory on Black Sea

• While war raging, Catherine faced popular rebellion inside Russia

• Man claiming to be Peter III traveled countryside, leading ragtag army

Challenges to Catherine’s Rule

Political Aspects of Catherine II• Many believed Catherine’s reign would not last long. She was not the least bit

Russian, and the rightful heir, the grandson of Peter the Great, had been murdered.

• Catherine knew her position was fragile, but handled the situation well.• She kept the statesmen who served under Empress Elizabeth and Peter.• She kept Chancellor Nikita Panin in charge of foreign affairs.

Political Aspects of Catherine II• When Catherine met with the Senate for the first time she was shocked by the

realities of Russia economic and social situation.• The majority of the army was abroad and hadn’t been paid for eight months.• The budget showed a deficit of 17 million rubles, in a country of only 100 million

people. No one knew what the revenues of the treasury were.• People complained of corruption, extortion and injustice.• No one knew how many towns there were in Russia, nor did they have a map to

check, so Catherine had the clerk go out and purchase one.

Political Changes of Catherine II• Overthrew her incompetent and unstable husband, arrested him, and he

was assassinated in jail• She reduced the Russian clergy to a group of state-paid government

workers.• Believed that people were innocent until proven guilty• She reorganized the 29 provinces under a central administration focused

on reform.• She introduced the legal philosophy of innocent until proven guilty.• She had laws written in simple vernacular language for all to understand,

were printed up in small books for all to have.• Local governments and courts were remodeled in 1775 with elected

government officials by nobles, merchants, and peasants.• She separated the courts from the nobility.• Worked to reunite all the Russian classes – this included

decentralization, the distribution of functions and power, and thegentry’s participation

As a builder of Russia’s borders, Catherine was more successful.

She gained an important port on the Black sea, which became Odessa.

Political Changes of Catherine (Cont)

• She set up jury courts, and separated the courts from the nobility• She had to put down the Pugachev Uprising in a brutal manner to

maintain political stability.• She eliminated the use of torture.• In 1767, she convened a convention of delegates from all social classes,

except serfs, to write a constitution. However, they could not agree on anything. She grew frustrated with their lack of progress. She disbanded the convention and wrote the constitution herself.

• She saw herself as the first servant to the state.• She created a stable government where people were free to express their

opinions.

Political Changes Continued

• She doubled the number of civil servants in the provinces.

• She set up a commission for the building of towns to reduce the risks of fires.

• To reduce the risk of fire, all side streets had to be 75 feet wide.

She also participate

d in the partition of

Poland.

Wars and Foreign Policies of Catherine II• Political:Political:• She wanted the empire to grow.She wanted the empire to grow.• She split Poland with Austria and Prussia.She split Poland with Austria and Prussia.• She gained more land in the Ukraine and Lithuania.She gained more land in the Ukraine and Lithuania.• She seized a small portion of land along the Baltic Sea from the She seized a small portion of land along the Baltic Sea from the

Swedes in 1787 and 1788.Swedes in 1787 and 1788.• She battled the Ottoman Turks for fertile land along the north coast She battled the Ottoman Turks for fertile land along the north coast

of the Black Sea from 1768 – 1774 and 1787 -1791. And eventually of the Black Sea from 1768 – 1774 and 1787 -1791. And eventually won the land from them.won the land from them.

• In 1783, she annexed Crimea.In 1783, she annexed Crimea.• SocialSocial: With her newly conquered lands, she expanded Russia’s : With her newly conquered lands, she expanded Russia’s

population by 20% or by 7 million people.population by 20% or by 7 million people.• Social:Social: She welcomed European immigrants to Russia to use their She welcomed European immigrants to Russia to use their

technical skills. About 40,000 Germans settled along the Volga River.technical skills. About 40,000 Germans settled along the Volga River.

Political: Pugachev , a Cossack, proclaimed himself the true tsar.

He said he was really Peter III, Catherine’s deceased husband.

This imposter promised that he would free the serfs, abolish

taxes, and forced military conscription (draft)

Tens of thousands joined his forces…

.

They were at first successful, but eventually Pugachev was

captured.

He was brought to Moscow in an iron cage.

He was drawn and quartered, though Catherine ordered that he not be tortured during the trial.

Pugachev’s rebellion was

the most violent peasant

uprising in Russian history.

Catherine responded by enforcing serfdom.

Economic Changes of Catherine II• In an effort to better the state of agriculture she sought to improve farming

techniques. She sent experts to study the soil and propose suitable crops.

• Made grants to landowners to learn the methods being devised in England and to buy English machines.

• Encouraged introduction of modern methods to sheep and cattle breeding.• The populated areas needed more workers so Catherine appealed to Europe,

mostly Germany, inviting settlers and offering attractive terms.• She then turned to mining and sent geologists to access the ores from Russia’s

seemingly barren lands.• She paid special attention to the mining of silver.

Economic Changes of Catherine II (cont)

• The fur industry was still large and she encouraged the existing trade in Siberia.

• In 1762 she decreed that anyone could start a new factory so long as it wasn’t in the two capitals.

• Soon state peasants were running large textile plants.• A whole range of industries began to immerge: linen,

pottery, leather goods, and furniture.• Catherine turned to English experts to set up more

sophisticated ventures.• Admiral Knowles came over to construct warships and

dockyards.

Economic Changes of Catherine II (cont)• Hundreds of factories were built. Some were so large that they employed over

1000 workers.• They produced clothes, shoes, rope, muskets, and ammunition.• She had 100 towns built. She renovated and expanded the older towns.• She expanded trade.• She increased communication systems.• She taxed the nobles. Then the nobles taxed the peasants and made the whole

village responsible.• She confiscated the property of the clergy. The Russian Orthodox Church

owned 1/3 of all the lands and serfs in Russia.• She founded the first School of Mines in St. Petersburg with a complete

underground mine to train miners.• She focused special attention on the mining of silver.• She expanded the fur trade in Siberia.• She had state textile factories run by peasants.• She encouraged the development of new industries: linen, pottery, leather

goods, and furniture.

Economic Changes Continued• She brought in experts from around the world to help her set up

and train Russians to work in the new industries.• She increased the number of factories from 984 to 3161.• She abolished export duties.• She increased trade between Russia and China through Manchuria:

Russian furs, leather, and linens for Chinese cottons, silks, tobaccos, silver, and tea..

• By 1765, she had repaid ¾ of Russia’s debt and had turned a budget deficit into a budget surplus

• She had an accurate census taken and updated maps to address needs in agriculture and trade.

• She built more roads and repaired existing roads and bridges.

Social Changes of Catherine II• She practiced religious toleration for Jews, Muslims, Protestants, and

Catholics. She even allowed Jews to hold elected local government positions.• She gave her support and power to the nobility, because she needed their

support to reform Russia.• Though she opposed serfdom, she ended up extending serfdom to win the

favor of the Russian nobles.• She imposed serfdom in the Ukraine.• However, she criticized nobles who overworked their serfs.• She was the first Russian monarch to ask advisers to research and find ways to

improve the lives of the Russian peasants.• She wrote the 1767 Great Instruction that defined the function of each social

class, so they served the state.• http://artsci.shu.edu/reesp/documents/nakaz.htm - Great Instruction• In 1785 the Charter of Nobility was passed, which recognized the gentry of

each province as a group with an elected leader that could directly petition Catherine. It also restored previous rights and privileges of the gentry

• She had the Russian nobility adopt French practices and gave them a common identity.

Cultural Changes of Catherine II

• Established schools, hospitals, and poorhouses.Established schools, hospitals, and poorhouses.• Promoted the education for women and founded the Smolny Promoted the education for women and founded the Smolny

Institute to educate the daughters of nobles.Institute to educate the daughters of nobles.• Was a patron of the arts and sciences.Was a patron of the arts and sciences.• Introduced the use of smallpox vaccinations to Russia, and she was Introduced the use of smallpox vaccinations to Russia, and she was

the first to be vaccinated.the first to be vaccinated.• Opened Russia to teachers, professors, scientists, actors, painters, Opened Russia to teachers, professors, scientists, actors, painters,

and writers from all over Europe.and writers from all over Europe.• Collected European art that was housed in the Hermitage Palace.Collected European art that was housed in the Hermitage Palace.• Built English-style parks.Built English-style parks.• Catherine’s court was very luxurious and she was the first to move Catherine’s court was very luxurious and she was the first to move

into the newly built Winter Palace, where she was loved by the elite into the newly built Winter Palace, where she was loved by the elite of the country and started a royal art collection which would later of the country and started a royal art collection which would later become the world-famous Hermitagebecome the world-famous Hermitage

• The most prominent embankments on the left bank of the Neva River The most prominent embankments on the left bank of the Neva River were upgraded to their present red granite look and the marvelous were upgraded to their present red granite look and the marvelous wrought iron fence of the summer gardenswrought iron fence of the summer gardens

Cultural Changes Cont.• Made French a popular language among Russian nobles.• Started orphanages.• Published a literary journal.• Promoted Russian culture.• The first professor of Russian law was appointed by her.• Created a national network of primary and secondary schools that were free

and open to men and women from all social classes.• Loved the theater.• Wrote plays and fairytales.• She brought Dr. Thomas Dindale, a specialist on smallpox, to Russia to vaccinate

herself and the Russian people.• To facilitate this, she bought houses in Moscow and St. Petersburg that were

converted into vaccination hospitals.• Founded hospitals for civilians.• She required that every county with a population between 20,000 and 30,000

have a hospital, doctor, surgeon, an assistant surgeon, and a student doctor.

Cultural Changes Continued• She built up the Imperial Art Collection to 3926 pieces of work.• She commissioned the building of palaces and the Hermitage

Palace/Museum.• The Hermitage held her private apartments, a conference chamber,

and theater, besides being an art museum.• The Hermitage was made of jasper, malachite, marble, and gold.• The Hermitage held 4,000 paintings, 38,000 books, 10,000 drawing,

and a natural history collection.• The Hermitage also held all her jewels, porcelain, and her favored

cameo collection of over 10,000 pieces.• She had a theatre built for operas and plays performed by artists

invited to Russia.• She wrote several operas herself.• In 1783, she appointed Princess Dashkova as the first Director of

the Academy of Science and then president of the Russian Academy. It was the first time a female held such positions

Catherine the Great’s Palace

82

Living quarters of the Russian Emperors

                                                                                  

Irina McClellan

84

The Hermitage Museum

• Catherine the Great• The largest Art Gallery

in Russia– 3 million works of art– 1.000 rooms

• Collection– Western European,– Ancient Egyptian– Oriental Art

                                                    

Irina McClellan

The Hermitage

The Hermitage

90

The Bronze Horseman

• Peter the Great• 1784, Catherine the

Great• Symbol– Form of a wave-symbol

of sea– Horse-Russia– Snake-symbol of

enemy

Irina McClellan

Cultural Changes Continued• She was penpals with Voltaire, Diderot, and Baron von Grimm.• She bought the first set of the French Encyclopedia by Diderot.• She commissioned a French artist, Etienne Falconet, to sculpt a

statute of Peter the Great.• She was tolerant of religions.• She turned a blind eye to the traditional practices of the

Eastern Orthodox Church.• She allowed reputable religions to build churches, run their

own schools, and practice their religion freely.• In 1786, she issued the Statutes for Schools which required

every district town to have a minor school with two teachers. And every provincial town had to have a major school with six teachers.

• She increased the number of grants to study abroad

And there were all sorts of nasty

rumors about her sexual appetites, passed about by her enemies, of

course.

Catherine’s Death?

• Catherine the Great actually died when she suffered a stroke at the age of 67, while using the bathroom

• She was found with her eyes closed and face congested, with foam at her mouth, and though the doctors tried to bleed her, they knew it was the end, for she died several hours later without regaining consciousness

• There was a big inquiry about the “horse story” about Catherine’s death. The popular rumor was that Catherine died having sex with a horse in her bathroom. This was completely untrue, but was spread by both wrong translations in Russian text, and also the false rumors spread by her French enemies.– The French were her enemies because of Catherine’s outrage that the

French King and Queen Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed during the French Revolution. She was completely against the revolution and was anxious not to transport the seeds of revolution to her own country. She even welcomed French refugees to St. Petersburg

She began as an enlightened

ruler…but had to put away those ideas when faced

with revolts by different groups

in her vast empire.