Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

25

Transcript of Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

Page 1: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750
Page 2: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

Russia Brief History of an Empire

1450s to 1700s

Page 3: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

CULTURAL & POLITICAL INFLUENCES on RUSSIASlavic, Viking, European and

Central Asian cultural influences

Parts of Asian Russia had converted to Islam

Page 4: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

Orthodox Christianity was eventually dominant.

Page 5: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

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.

Page 6: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750
Page 7: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

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.

Page 8: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

The RomanovsThe Romanov Dynasty began in 1613,

when Russian independence was restored (lasting to 1914).

Page 9: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750
Page 10: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

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.

Page 11: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750
Page 12: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750
Page 13: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

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

Russian armies took control of new territories.

“Pioneers” expanded Russian territorial control

Page 14: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

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

Page 15: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

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.

Page 16: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

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

Page 17: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

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.

Page 18: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

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.

Page 19: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

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

Page 20: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

Allowed mobility in government based upon merit

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

commerce.

Page 21: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750
Page 22: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750
Page 23: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750
Page 24: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

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

Page 25: Russia - Empire Building 1450-1750

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