Russia Brief History of an Empire

1450s to 1700s

CULTURAL & POLITICAL INFLUENCES on RUSSIASlavic, Viking, European and

Central Asian cultural influences

Parts of Asian Russia had converted to Islam

Orthodox Christianity was eventually dominant.

Early Russia & Mongol Invasion

In the 600s-1200s, feudal warlords were loosely organized into what was called Kievan Rus.

The Mongols invaded and Russia became part of the Mongol Empire from the 1200s to 1400s.

Russia 1450 – 1600sAfter the Mongols withdrew,

conflicts over the rule of Russia between powerful boyar families led to a series of civil wars and outside invasions.

The RomanovsThe Romanov Dynasty began in 1613,

when Russian independence was restored (lasting to 1914).

The power of the Tsars increased – toward ABSOLUTISM

Councils of Russian nobles were eliminated

Trained bureaucrats came from the “lower classes”

The secret police & the Tsar’s special forces suppressed rebellion.

Russia became one of the great land empires 1500s-1800.

Russian armies took control of new territories.

“Pioneers” expanded Russian territorial control

The Russian Empire, like Euro Maritime Empires, . . .

Expanded for profit, to spread Christianity, and gain power.

Had a powerful military with gunpowder weapons

Demanded tax (tribute or yasak) from conquered peoples (furs)

Oversaw the development of new territories through settlers

The Russian Empire, UNLIKE Euro Maritime Empires,

was NOT a distinct European state before it built its empire

conquered some regions for “security”conquered regions “close” to their

heartlandabsorbed conquered people or

“Russified” themWas less intense in its efforts at

converting natives to Christianity.

Russian interaction with . . .Ottoman Empire, Eastern

Europe, and Central Asia Russian war victories led to

territorial gains (especially Poland and around the Caspian sea)

China – mutual agreement on boundaries

Russian interaction with . . .

• Western Europe – Westerners carried on much of the trade in Russia, Western styles from architecture to the military were mimicked in Russia, but Russia remained politically isolated from Western Europe.

New Openness to the West 1689-1725 Tsar Peter the Great

Forced Westernization

Modernized the army, built a navy, and continued expansion

Instituted an educational system and offered freedom for women.

•Pushed for Western dress, architecture, science &•Shaved BEARDS!

Allowed mobility in government based upon merit

Built St. Petersburg as a new capital Organized and modernized trade and

commerce.

Reform, then Repression:1762-1796 Catherine the Great (Tsarina)Continued expansion

and westernizationWas initially open to

social reforms as an “Enlightened Despot”

The French Revolution & rebellion at home caused her to become more oppressive

However, Russia remained a traditional

agricultural society.Nobles continued to control the

lower classes.– Serfdom was expanded and rural

peasants suffered– Little freedom was offered to the

lower classesSocial unrest and revolt was

common