5.4

1. 5.4 Absolute Rules of Russia

2. Ivan the Terrible • Ivan IV comes to throne at 3-years old • Boyars (Russian landowning nobles) try to control Ivan • Ivan gains complete control at 16-years old • Names himself czar (caesar) • After wife dies, he rules by terror

3. Ivan the Terrible • Accused boyars of poisoning his wife • Begins reign of terror • Forms secret police to murder traitors • Executes many boyars, their families, & peasants working boyar lands • Ivan, in a rage, unintentionally kills his oldest son and heir to the throne • Weak son takes over throne

4. Peter the Great • Romanov family (related to Ivan the Terrible’s wife) chosen to control Russia (1613-1917) • Peter the Great eventually becomes czar (1696) • Russia very agricultural society • Boyars treat peasants like property • Russia isolated from western Europe • Mongols cut off contact with Europe • Only seaport covered in ice most of the year – no visitors

5. Peter the Great • Religious differences also separate Russia from Europe (Eastern Orthodox) • Peter has fascination of modern technology • Believes Russia needs a warm water port • Travels to western Europe to learn about their culture • Believes in westernization – changing Russian culture to match that of western Europe

6. Peter the Great • When he returns he reforms Russia • Brings church under his control • Reduces power of landowners • Hires European officers • Starts 1st Russian newspaper • Raises status of women • Introduces potatoes • Opens schools for arts, sciences, navigation • Forces nobles to dress in western clothes & shave their beards

7. Peter the Great • Peter wants seaport to encourage travel to and from Russia • Fights Sweden for control of St. Petersburg • St. Petersburg built on swampy land • Disease easily spread • Working conditions terrible • St. Petersburg becomes busy port and helps modernize Russia