AGE OF
ABSOLUTISM
RUSSIA
Russia = small city-state, but under EXPANSION policy
it became an empire
Site of first Russian state – KIEV (city) located on the
river DNIEPER
From 9TH - 13TH centuries (800-1200’s), Kiev had profitable
TRADE with the BYZANTINE empire
Result: Russia heavily influenced by BYZANTINES
( CULTURAL DIFFUSION )
Examples:
RELIGION & GOVERNMENT
EASTERN ORTHODOX
(Russian Orthodox church largest church in Russia)
Byzantine alphabet allowed Russians to read the
BIBLE; Alphabet called CYRILLIC
Government: ABSOLUTE rule
MONGOL INVASIONS:
In 1240 , the Mongols attacked & demolished KIEV
Mongols were lead by Genghis Khan’s grandson BATU
Khan – ruled Russia for 200 years
Biggest impact: ISOLATION
had few new IDEAS & INVENTIONS
1480 - end of Mongol rule; Russians now led by IVAN III
he refused to pay Mongols tribute & took the name
CZAR (Russian version of Caesar)
ABSOLUTE RULERS OF RUSSIA:
Ivan III - 1462 - 1505
MOSCOW becomes center of power in Russia
with the fall of CONSTANTINOPLE in 1453,
MOSCOW became the new headquarters of the
Orthodox Church
Ivan IV
Ivan III’s GRANDSON – 1st official Russian ruler
CZAR - 1533-1584 (known as Ivan the TERRIBLE
)
• Used BRUTAL & RUTHLESS force
• Set up SECRET police force – murdered anyone thought
not to be LOYAL
http://www.missedinhistory.com/podcasts/wh
o-was-the-infant-ruler-of-russia/
ABSOLUTE RULERS OF RUSSIA:
Peter the Great
When Ivan IV died, Russia fell into CHAOS
known as TIME OF TROUBLES until 1696
1697 - Peter travels to Europe to learn about their
CUSTOMS & MANUFACTURING
begins policy of WESTERNIZATION in Russia
Russian under Peter the Great
I. MODERNIZED army
II. Took control of the ORTHODOX church
III. Built new capital –ST. PETERSBURG
IV. Adopted western customs
http://www.missedinhistory.com/podcasts/what-wasin-peter-the-greats-cabinet-of-curiosities/