Absolutism in Russia
By Brianna, Emily, Brody, Ewurakua, and Bill
The Romanov Dynasty
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Second imperial dynasty
Reigned from 1613 to March 15th 1917
Family fortunes soared through marriage
Family of Emperor Nicholas II were
executed by the Bolsheviks
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None thought to be alive
● End of direct family bloodline
Rulers
Peter the Great: Czar of Russia
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Born on June 9th, 1672 in Moscow, Russia
14th child of Czar Alexis, first child with his second wife
Special interest in military affairs, navigation, mathematics, sailing
Constantly under threat from mother and step mother
○ Theodore, Peter’s brother came into power, yet died in 1682
○ Sophia- sister of Peter and Ivan – since both Ivan and Peter were under age to rule
■ Had an unpopular domestic policy
At 17, Peter removed Sophia, in 1689
○ Technically shared throne with Ivan, until his death in 1696- when Peter gained full
power
Inherited a severely underdeveloped nation in comparison to European countries
Took extensive reforms in reestablishing Russia’s power
Peter physical presence indicated his rule
Rulers
Catherine the Great or Catherine II
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Born Sophie von Anhalt- Zerbst, on May 2nd, 1729
Daughter of German prince, commander of regiment of Prussian army
Arrived in Russia as the Grand Duchess Catherine Alekseyavna
Married Peter III, grandson of Peter the Great, heir to the Russian throne- unhappy
marriage
She was intelligent, ambitious, formal education
Peter gained power in 1762 - plans to get rid of her
She had the support of the public and army
Peter was captured and assassinated
○ Not fully known if Catherine was involved in the assassination
Catherine in power for 34 years, until 1796
○ One of the most influential leaders in the country
Expanded Russia’s borders and continued westernization
Peter The Great (r. 1682-1725)
Catherine The Great (r. 1762-1796)
Accomplishments
Peter the Great:
● Military
Formed Russia’s first standing army in 1699
Founded the first Russian Navy (invested in major training)
o Expanded Weaponry
o Captured the Ottoman city of Azov
o Expanded the size of Russia through war
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Accomplishments
Peter the Great:
● Transformed Russia into the Russian Empire and had great
military and power
● Helped with the foundation of the city of St. Petersburg (May
27, 1703)
o captured the Swedish Fort
● Great Embassy
o westernization-education, clothing, etc.
Accomplishments
Peter the Great:
● Introduced the Poll Taxes to increase the government revenue
● Introduced land reforms
o landowners have a sensible amount of control over peasants
● Many churches and universities were established
● School of Medicine, Engineering, Science and Navigation were
founded
● Russia’s first newspaper-The Vedomosti
● Russia gained a warm-water port, gained a strong army, and had a
strengthened economy
Accomplishments
Catherine the Great
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sponsored education programs
extended the Russian Borders
Directed the building of the Hermitage Museum
1776-created major cultural institution
o Great Theatre of Moscow
● After death of Peter the Great, further expanded and
supported westernizing Russia/expand territory
Failures
Ivan IV:
● was seen as major failure as the leader of Russia
● known as “The Terrible”
● gained very little land during his ruling
● was not able to gain port for Russian trade
Accomplishments of “Ivan the Terrible”
● seeked absolute control of Russia
Absolutism Examples
“Ivan the Terrible”
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was Czar at the age of 3
seeked absolute control of Russia
seized the Boyars’ lands
released the Oprichniki upon the nation
“Peter the Great”
● sought to “westernize” Russia
● imposed his aristocratic authority to make
changes
● forced the Russians to adopt Western
ethnics