How Has Russia S Geography Affected Its History?

Czars of Russia WHAP/Napp Objective: To identify and describe the reigns of significant Russian Czars Do Now: Discuss two significant events in Russian history between 600 – 1500 C.E.

Cues: Notes: I. Two Continents A. Russia has been a nation “standing” on two continents: Europe and Asia B. When the Turks conquered Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire fell, the center of Orthodox Christianity moved northward to Moscow C. Moscowthe “Third Rome” (after Rome itself and then Constantinople) D. At around the same time, Russian leaders were overthrowing the Mongols E. In 1480, Ivan III of Moscow refused to pay tribute to the Mongols and declared Russia free of Mongol rule F. He, and later his grandson Ivan IV, established absolute rule in Russia, uniting it and expanding it ever eastward G. They recruited peasants and offered them freedom from their feudal lords if they agreed to settle in new lands to the east H. The catch was that these peasants had to conquer the land themselves I. Known as Cossacks, peasant-soldiers expanded Russian territories in 16th through 18th centuries into Siberia and southward to Caspian Sea II. Ivan the Terrible A. Ivan IVstrong leader and held such absolute power that he became known as Ivan the Terrible (as in formidable not necessarily bad) B. Taking on the title of czar (Russian for “Caesar”), Ivan the Terrible expanded Russia’s holding, but not without cost to the Russian people C. By the 1560s, he ruled under a reign of terror, regularly executing anyone whom he perceived as a threat to his powerexecuted his own son in 1580 D. After the death of Ivan IV in 1584, Russia’s feudal lords continually battled over who should rule the empire E. From 1604 to 1613, known as the Time of Troubles when one pretender to the throne would be killed by another pretender and yet another F. In 1613, subsided when Michael Romanov was elected czar by feudal lords III.The Romanov Dynasty A. Ruled until 1917 B. Consolidated power and often ruled ruthlessly C. Peasants, now serfs, were practically slaves D. By 1689, Russian territory spread from the Ukraine to the Pacific Ocean E. Peter the Great 1. Ruled from 1682 through 1725Convinced he needed to westernize Russia 2. Built Russia’s first navy and founded St. Petersburg on the Baltic Sea as his new capital “window to the west” 3. Aim to overtake developed countries of western Europe quickly 4. Broke resistance of boyars, or members of the ancient landed aristocracy Summaries: Cues: 5. Established a regular army on completely modern lines for Russia 6. First ruler of Russia to sponsor education on secular lines and to bring an element of state control into that field 7. Russians were also permitted to go abroad for their education and indeed were often compelled to do so (at the state’s expense) 8. Enforced superficial Europeanization too; for example, when he decreed that beards should be shorn off and Western dress worn 9. Personally cut beards of boyars and skirts of their long coats (kaftany) 10. Raskolniki (Old Believers) and merchants who kept beards had to pay a special tax, but peasants and Orthodox clergy allowed to remain bearded 11. In 1721, in order to subject the Orthodox Church of Russia to the state, Peter abolished the Patriarchate of Moscow 12. A secular official – ober-prokuror, or chief procurator – appointed by tsar to supervise Holy Synod’s (spiritual college in charge of church) activities 13. Church was thus transformed into a pillar of the absolutist regime 14. Material position of landed nobility was strengthened under Peter 15. Almost 100,000 acres of land and 175,000 serfs were allotted to it in the first half of the reign alone IV. Catherine the Great A. Ruled from 1762 until 1796considered an Enlightened Despot because incorporated some ideas of Enlightenment but kept her absolute power B. Saw very quickly that emancipation of serfs would never be tolerated by owners and who would throw the country into disorder C. Imposed serfdom on the Ukrainians who had until then been free D. At the end of her reign, there was scarcely a free peasant left in Russia E. Continued aggressive westward territorial expansion, gaining ground in Poland and, most significantly, territory on the Black Sea V. Comparisons to Western Europe A. Despite centralization of authority under the Ivans, Russia remained very much a feudal arrangement, with local lords exercising considerable power B. Russia wasn’t part of the Renaissance because it was under the control of the Mongols at the time C. Russia wasn’t part of Reformation because wasn’t part of Catholic Church D. Wasn’t until the late 17th century that Russia turned its eyes westward E. With collapse of Soviet Union 1991, Russia is again undergoing great changes, attempting to blend traditional ways with ideas from abroad VI. Serfs A. Serf’s lack of freedom of movement; he could not permanently leave his holding or his village without his lord’s permission B. Neither could the serf marry, change his occupation, or dispose of his property without his lord’s permission C. Could become freed only through manumission, enfranchisement, escape D. Lords made heavy demands for peasant labor services E. Serfs of Russia were not given their personal freedom and their own allotments of land until Alexander II’s Edict of Emancipation of 1861 Summaries: Questions:  How has Russia’s geography affected its history?  How did the Ivan III and Ivan IV change Russian history?  What was the Time of Troubles?  How did the Romanov Dynasty change Russia?  Discuss significant changes implemented by Peter the Great.  Describe Catherine the Great’s reign as an Enlightened Despot.  Compare and contrast Russia to the West.  Discuss the plight of the Russian serf. 1. Which monarchy constructed the 4. Which of the following best describes largest contiguous land empire in the attitude of Peter and Catherine history, second in size only to the the Great toward adopting change Mongol Empire? along Western lines? (A)British (A)It was a waste of time and an (B) Mughal insult to Russian tradition. (C)Russian (B) Its harmless influence was (D)French allowed to spread without (E) Qing interference. (C)It was a source of new ideas and 2. In which neighboring region(s) did methods to increase the power of the Russian Empire gain the most the ruling family at home and land during the Romanov dynasty? abroad. (A)Poland (D)It was a key step on the road to (B) Baltic States Russian democracy. (C)Black Sea region (E) Emulation of Western gender (D)Siberia and Central Asia roles but not economic practices (E) Scandinavia would be pursued.

3. The shift of the Russian imperial 5. Which Russian territorial possession capital to which city indicated a shift lay farthest from the center of power in orientation toward the West under in St. Petersburg? the rule of Peter the Great? (A)Alaska (A)Moscow (B) Finland (B) Kiev (C)Crimea (C)Vladivostok (D)Siberia (D)St. Petersburg (E) Poland (E) Belgrade 6. Which end result of industrial development was most important to Peter the Great? (A)Russian capacity to produce modern weapons (B) Growth of a vibrant merchant class (C)A raised cultural level of the resultant urban masses Excerpt from departments.kings.edu Perhaps one of the most important leaders of the Russian Empire, Catherine the Second, or "The Great," helped set the foundations for the Russian “Westernization” in the 19th and 20th centuries. Known for her intelligence and ambitions to rule the Russian Empire, Catherine not only challenged the social norms of the time but also set the precedent for women in powerful positions. Catherine ruled through corruption, scandal, political reforms, and land expansion. She consolidated power from the serfs and feudal lords by continuing the political reforms started by Peter the Great. Land expansion dramatically increased during the Polish civil war in the late 1760's and again in 1768 when a Russian victory over the Ottoman Empire resulted in new territory stretching to the banks of the Black Sea . In addition to this, Catherine imported many great works in literature, art, and print from the Western European nations…Education and law codes further developed under her reign. At the end of her thirty-four year reign from 1762 to 1796, Catherine had catapulted Russia into the world scene as a major world empire. Born on May 2, 1729, in the German city of Stettin (Szczecin, Poland today), into the family of Prince Christian August of Anhalt-Zerbst, Catherine was christened Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst a daughter of a minor German prince in Prussian service. Immediately following her birth Sophie faced many challenges in a society which legally subjugated its female population. Although she had society stacked against her, she was recognized by her father for her great ability to learn and remember concepts and ideas. Only after she had proven her abilities did she receive formal education. In 1744, she married Grand Duke Peter of Holstein, heir to the Russian throne. Although Sophie was a German, she like her mother strove to be as Russian as her mother in-law Elizabeth the I. Sophie not only studied the Russian language but also took the name Catherine II in honor of her mother Catherine the II. In addition to this Catherine converted the Russian Orthodox Church in order to be married into the imperial line. Using her sexuality to obtain legitimacy for her position, Catherine was encouraged to produce an heir to the line. In 1754, during an affair with Sergey Saltykov, Catherine bore a child named Paul. It is not altogether clear whether Paul is the legitimate son of her husband Peter, or the son of Saltykov. Emperor Peter III and Catherine II came to power in 1761 after Empress Elizabeth died. The marriage to Peter was further put into jeopardy because Peter was ill equipped to handle ruling Russia Empire. Lacking common sense and alienating the Russian Court, Peter further compounded his mistakes by withdrawing from war with Prussia in 1762. This event coupled with the seizure of Church lands and disinheriting his son Paul resulted in Catherine’s coup on June 28, 1762. Peter III was sent to prison where he died at the hands of his captures. In its own right the reign of Catherine the Great was impressive, but it was made all the more important because she was a women. She continued Peter the Great's reforms of the Russian state, further increasing central control over the provinces. Her goal was to rationalize and reform the administration of the Russian Empire. One of the most prosperous periods for Russia, Catherine undertook a wide range of internal political reforms, and waged two successful wars against the Ottoman Empire and extended the borders of Russia. Thesis Statement: Change Over Time: Russia (500 – 1800 C.E.) ______