 Analyze the
PERSIAGM
characteristics of
Absolutism in
Russia, Prussia &
Austria in the Age
of Absolutism
 Compare &
Contrast
Absolutism
between Western
and Eastern
Europe
• What system is still
firmly entrenched
in the East?
• Class Pyramid? 
• Why is there this
dichotomy between
West and East?
• What is the reason why an
absolute state will be
created here?
• What problems exist? 
• “The Great Elector”
• Will strengthen Prussia (?)
– Follows mercantilism 
– Build up the military!!
 40K army in 1678
 50% of budget!! $$$ (hmmm)
– Deal with…
 What does Frederick get?
 Less opposition from
Junkers (PERSIAGM?)
 What do the Junkers get?
 Gov Positions, Top Military
Positions, Tax Exempt
 What was preserved?
 Serfdom
 What kind of state is created?
• Principles of obedience, honor and service to
the King…(?)
•
•
•
•
“Sergeant King”
Increases absolutism
1713-1740
Junkers had power w/him
 “General Directory” =
Obedience, Honor, Service to
the King
• Efficient bureaucracy
• Army now up to 80K (4th!!!)
 “Prussia was not country with
an army, but an army with a
country”
 How do you accomplish this?
• Class System?
• Like Prussia, it is
impacted by…
• How does it do
during this time?
• What problems
does it encounter?
• 1658-1705
• What problems
does he have with
his empire?
• His Solution too??
 Increase the size
and power of the
military
 Take control of the
nobility…offer
them…
• Czar (Tsar)
– Means?
– First one is Ivan IV
(AKA)
• Ivan’s Contributions
– Increase Power of
Russia (beats who?)
– Conquered Siberia
and united Russia
– How did he look to
the west?
• 1584-1613
• Chaotic period where
political control was
uncertain
• Poland-Lithuania
fights back vs Russia
• 1613, Michael 
Romanov (1613-1645)
crowned Czar
– Starts a long dynasty
• Skinny 6’8, crude,
murderer
• Rules Russia from
1682-1725
• Goals for Russia?
(3)
– Westernize
Russia
– Expand Czar’s
Power
– Expand Russia’s
Power on the
world stage
• 1682, becomes czar
• 1697, goes west for 18
months…(why?)
– Hears about advancements
(which ones?) in western
Europe & and wants to see it
– Needs to form alliance against
Ottoman Empire
• Travels in disguise with
delegates
• Walks streets and learns
Western culture and military
• Returns and gets to work!!
• How many people 
benefitted from them?
• What were the
advancements?
– Women’s rights
– Calendar, numerals
etc
– Education and
technology
• Academy of
Sciences…made what?
• Recruits talent to
Russia 
– Culture? Advisors? 
• Increases his power in
Russia (?)
– Russian Orthodox Church?
– His son?
– Nobility?
• Table of Ranks – 1772
– Peasants? /
• Military!!!!
– 200,000 men
– Inspired by the Dutch to
create…
– Technology in Schools…
–…
• What is gained? Why does Peter want it?