1672-1725
Statue of Peter the Great in St. Petersburg

Words To Know
• czar: title used for all-powerful rulers in Russia
• modernize: to become more up-to-date (modern=today)
• westernize: to become more like "the West" (at this time, we were talking about western Europe)
• reform: changes that are made (remember: during the
Reformation, people wanted to make changes to the Catholic
Church)

Early Life
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Birth: in Moscow, Russia on
June 9, 1672
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14th child in his family
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Dad: the czar of Russia
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Part of ruling Romanov family

Sharing Power
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Began joint rule with brother Ivan at age 10 (1682)
• mom made most decisions
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Ivan died 1696, making Peter the czar
•
Known as Peter I

Russia At Time of Rule
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Years Peter ruled alone: 1696-1725
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Underdeveloped compared to Europe o did not participate in Renaissance or
Reformation o o remained isolated and didn't modernize o doesn't have much contact with Europe
•
In order to make Russia a great nation once again, Peter challenged the nobility and undertook several reforms
Changed almost every aspect of Russian life

Peter's Goals
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Westernization o Reforms
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Get warm-water port o War o St. Petersburg

Goal 1: Westernization
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Primary goal: wanted to westernize Russia
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Visits Europe in 1697
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To westernize Russia, Peter...
o simplified the alphabet o o o o o o made men shave their beards introduced turnips & potatoes started Russia’s first newspaper raised women’s status adopted Western fashion advanced education

Reforms for Westernization
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Brings the Orthodox Church under the czar's authority
(increasing his own power)
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Reduces power of great landowners
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Creates strong navy
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Modernizes army by having European officers train soldiers
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Secularizes schools
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Introduces new administrative and territorial divisions of the country
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Focuses on science and technology

Goal 2: Warm Water Port
• wants a port to make travel to West easier
•
But...
o Baltic Sea is controlled by Sweden o Black Sea is controlled by Ottoman Empire
•
Goes to war with both during his rule o Gets first Russian naval base at Taganrog (on o
Black Sea) in win against Ottoman Empire
Gains territory in win against Sweden

Russian Expansion

Establishing St. Petersburg
•
In 1703, begins building new capital called St.
Petersburg.
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Building city takes many years, many serfs die in process.
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"Window to Europe"

"English Embankment," St. Petersburg

Palace Square, St. Petersburg

Church of the
Savior on Spilt
Blood, St.
Petersburg

Death
• died on February 8, 1725
• did not choose an heir
• is entombed in the
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in St. Petersburg

Accomplishments
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By the time of Peter’s death, Russia was force to be reckoned with in Europe
•
Expanded territory and got port on Black
Sea
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However: known as a cruel leader o reforms often meant high o taxes ----> peasant revolts -----
> suppression had his own son executed (for treason)

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Resources
• http://www2.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/tips/t5prod/djanpp4_files/frame.html
http://www.biography.com/people/peter-the-great-9542228 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Young_Peter_the_Great_parsuna.jpg
http://abeonaforum.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/russia-under-peter-the-great.gif
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/75276110.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Peter_and_Paul_Cathedral.jpg/399px-
Peter_and_Paul_Cathedral.jpg