Russia and Westernization
Agenda
1. Bell Ringer: What is the major difference in
the Thirty Years War? (Cardinal Richeleiu)
2. Brief Lecture: Russian Absolutism
3. Absolutism in Russia Chart
4. Effects of Absolutism Graphic Organizer
5. Match Game Absolutism
6. HW:
Russia
• Muscovite men were tied
to the Orthodox church
and considered
themselves very
powerful.
• Tsars, complete rulers.
• Ivans show up during this
time
• They ended the Mongol
invasions of Europe by
creating an empire that
stretched to the Pacific.
Ivan the Terrible
• His wife died, he thought
she was poisoned.
• Created a secret police
force to kill anyone that Ivan
thought was a traitor.
• Accused Boyars of killing his
wife… So naturally they
were killed, along with their
families.
• Land given to loyal subjects.
Russia
• Romanov Dynasty focused
on Europe, and attempted
to make it to the Baltic.
• Struggled with Poland and
Sweden, win.
• Peter the Great, spread
Russia to the Baltic.
• St. Petersburg constructed
from land taken from
Sweden. 1721
• Catherine II takes over in
1763.
Catherine the Great
• Encouraged
Westernization
• Continued Romanov
policies.
Why are they vulnerable?
• Built on societies that
were poor.
• Always needed financial
help from the West.
• Cannot overcome rulers
attempting to abolish
serfdom.
• Ethnic melting pot, harder
to conquer people that
can’t understand you.