Absolute Monarchy in

Russia

Chapter 4 section 5

Ruler Peter the Great

Early life:

At age 10 came to the throne, but did not take control of government until 1689

In 1697 he studied western technology, and noted the manners and homes.

He adopted western ideas, technology, and culture or policy of westernization.

Leadership:Most autocratic of Europe’s absolute

monarchs.He wanted to do three things:1. Strengthen the military2. Expanded Russian borders3. Centralize Royal powerOne way to strengthen his power was to

make landowning nobles or boyars to serve the state.

Expansion: Search for warm-water port

Located along the Black Sea, a port that was free of ice all year was a warm-water port.

Peter the Great attempted to fight the Ottoman Empire and gain the warm-water port but was defeated.

War with Sweden

Peter the Great first suffered defeats over the Baltic region.

In 1709 Peter defeated the Swedes and won land along the Baltic Sea.

Peter’s CityPeter built a magnificent new capital city

called St. Petersburg

The city located on the swampy shores of Neva River was to open a “window on the west”

The city was symbol of Peter’s desire to forge a modern Russia

Toward the Pacific

Peter signed a treaty with Qing China to define their common borders east.

Vitus Bering a Danish navigator explored an area known as the Bering Strait between Siberia and Alaska

Russia After the Ruler:

Expanded Russian territory

Gained ports on the Baltic Sea

Created a mighty army

Ended Russia’s long period of isolation

Ruler: Catherine the Great

Early life:

German princess

At age of 15 wed to the throne of Russia

Czar Peter III was murdered and Czarina Catherine the Great took the throne

Leadership:An Efficient RulerShe reorganized the provincial governmentShe codified the lawsShe began education for boys and girlsShe embraced western ideasA Ruthless Absolute MonarchShe allowed boyars tax exemptionsShe allowed boyars to increase their powers over

the peasantsConditions for Russia grew worse during

Catherine the Greats’ reign.

Expansion:

War with Ottoman Empire where Catherine the Great expanded her borders and gained warm-water port on the Black Sea

Partition of Poland

Three Monarchs Catherine the Great, Frederick the Great, and Emperor

Joseph II agree to divide up Poland instead of fighting one another.

Russia After the Ruler:

Absolute Monarchs ruled 4 out of five leading powers in Europe.

Radical changes shatter French monarchy, upset the balance of power and revolutionize European societies.