Unit 3 Seminar Russian Absolutism Kayla Duclayan Period 5 1989-Analyze the major ways through which Tsar Peter the Great ( ) sought to reform his society and its institutions in order to strengthen Russia and its position in Europe. Thesis Tsar Peter the Great sought to reform his society and its institutions in order to strengthen Russia and its position in Europe through attempts of military advancement with a standing army, gaining power over the nobility and providing education, forming an organized civil bureaucracy with a stable senate, and controlling the church under the state. Reform within the Military I. Creation of a trained standing army a) Disbanding of the old amateur military unit b) Lifetime service in the military from the nobles and peasants c) Establishment of education for the boyars Battle of Poltava in 1709: Russian and Swedes in Ukraine Reform within the military I. Constant warfare leads to Russia being the European Great Power a) Great Northern War ( ) 1) Battle of Poltava (1709) Russian Army under Tsar Peter the Great Reform within the nobility I. Peter the Great forced the boyars to join the military a) Needed to increase power through the military b) By forcing the boyars, he ensured power over the nobles Boyars: Russian Nobles Reform within the nobility I. Schools and universities for the Nobles a) Skilled technicians and experts were needed b) Every young nobleman required to take compulsory education Reform through bureaucracy I. Table of Ranks (1722) a) Promotion based on merit b) Foreigners placed in his service. II. Creation of a senate a) Administrators who governed during Peters absence b) Division of the empire into 50 provinces Prince Eugenes Summer Palace, Vienna Reform within the church I. Abolition of the religious head of the Russian Orthodox Church a) Gave Tsar Peter the Great power to lead the church b) Church Property was administered by the state Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, Russia Conclusion Tsar Peter the Great primarily sought reform through ongoing warfare in attempt to seek more territory and power. He built a strong army of well educated nobles plus many peasants and talented foreigners selected by Tsar Peter the Great that made up Russias dominant power over Europe. His military-civilian bureaucracy held Russia stable and in check with a senate, which he used for his own ruling benefit. He also took control of the Russian Orthodox Church to gain the power that the church independently had. Tsar Peter the Great reformed his society to improve Russia and reach dominance within Europe