1. Czar of Russia, a giant of a man nearly 7 feet tall Accomplishments: Westernized Russia, “a wannabe” Strengthened the military; expand borders Pushed through social/economic reforms Improved the infrastructure of Russia Peter the Great

2. Peter the Great, cont. • An autocratic ruler: • Showed no mercy for anyone who resisted his order in Russia (execution of 1,000 palace guards). • Serfdom spread in Russia during his rule in order to achieve the ‘progress’ that he wanted (worked to build St. Petersburg).

3. Peter the Great, continued • Expansion under Peter: • Searched for a warm water port along the Black Sea; not successful in defeating the Ottoman Empire. • War with Sweden to gain land along the Baltic Sea; would eventually build St. Petersburg there after thousands of serfs drained the swamps. • St. Petersburg was a symbol of “modern” Russia that Peter wanted. Invited architects and artists to design great palaces in western style.

5. Catherine the Great • Peter died without naming a successor and various Romanovs sought power. • Catherine was a German princess and came to Russia at 15 to wed Czar Peter III. He was mysteriously murdered. • Became an autocratic ruler, similar to Peter; serfs suffered under her rule.

6. Catherine the Great, continued • Accomplishments: • Reorganized the government • Sponsored education for boys and girls • Embraced western ideas • Secured a warm water port for Russia on the Black Sea • Seized territory from Poland