Chapter 18
Pg. 388-402

Russian Expansion Under the Tsars
 late postclassical era: Moscow emerged as center of Russia & Mongol resistance

Ivan III (Ivan the Great)
 creates new gov based on military rule

Need for Revival (the Ivans)

Mongol rule created need for revival

Russian traditions remained

But cultural vigor declined
↳
Ivan the Great reclaims Byzantine traditions
↳
Ivan IV (the Terrible) expanded autocracy against boyars

Patterns of Expansion

Russia expanded eastward into C. Asia

New lands settled by pioneer spirit & Cossacks

Expansion brought social & economic benefits

Question
Russia claimed it was the heir to Chinggis
Khan as the unifier of Central Asia?

How accurate is this claim? Compare & contrast the Mongol Empire & Russian Empire.

Use the maps on pg.311 & 393 if needed

Western Contact

Tsars add careful contact with the West to aid revival:

Trade

Architecture


Romanov Dynasty (1613-1917)

Ivan IV’s death w/o heir → rise of Romanov’s

Expands tsarist control while limiting boyars
Russia’s 1st Westernization

Russia = large, agricultural empire by 1690

Trends of territorial gain & Westernization amplified by:

Peter the Great

Catherine the Great

Peter the Great (1689-1725)

Autocratic ruler

Suppressed power of boyars

Fascinated by Western manufacturing, science

Westernization

Concentrated on…

Making bureaucracy more effective,

Building heavy industry, &

Encouraging Western standards & technical training

Yet, changes were selective

But fostered resentment

Catherine the Great (1762-1796)

Complexly expanded tsar’s imperial power & boyar’s local power

Increased serfdom

Finalized territorial expansion to E & W

Westernization

Selectively balanced Enlightenment &
Russian traditions

Western ideas of law & government?

Western intellectual ideas?

Themes in Early Modern Russia
Serfdom

Serfdom increasingly common for masses

Used as a form of social control

Slave-like system, but communal gov remained active

Trade & Economic Dependence

Overall, economy subordinated to West

Rural, no middle class

Little incentive for innovation
Social Unrest

Serfdom bred discontent & calls for reform

Growing intelligensia

Peasant rebellions

Eastern Europe

Borders fluctuate as empires expand

Region of weak central government & little economic development

Ex= Poland
Global Connections - Russia & World

Russia becomes key international player