The document summarizes the rule of several absolute rulers of Russia, beginning with Ivan the Terrible in the 1500s. It then focuses on Peter the Great's rule from 1696, during which he sought to westernize and modernize Russia. Peter visited Western Europe to learn their ways, brought the Orthodox Church under state control, reduced the power of landowners, established a new capital called St. Petersburg, and introduced reforms like potatoes, newspapers, education, and Western fashion to try to make Russia more like Western Europe. Through these reforms, by the time of his death Russia had become a force to be reckoned with in Europe.

1. Absolute Rulers ofAbsolute Rulers of
RussiaRussia
Chapter 21, Section 4Chapter 21, Section 4

2. Section OpenerSection Opener
 Peter the Great makes many changes inPeter the Great makes many changes in
Russia to try to make it more like westernRussia to try to make it more like western
EuropeEurope

3. The First CzarThe First Czar
 Ivan the TerribleIvan the Terrible
– In 1533, Ivan the TerribleIn 1533, Ivan the Terrible
becomes king of Russiabecomes king of Russia
– Struggles for power withStruggles for power with
boyarsboyars—landowning nobles.—landowning nobles.
– Seizes power and is crownedSeizes power and is crowned
czar, meaning “caesar”czar, meaning “caesar”
 Rule by TerrorRule by Terror
– In 1560, Ivan turns againstIn 1560, Ivan turns against
boyars, kills them, seizesboyars, kills them, seizes
landslands
 Rise of the RomanovsRise of the Romanovs
– Ivan’s heir is weak, leading toIvan’s heir is weak, leading to
period of turmoilperiod of turmoil
– In 1613, Michael RomanovIn 1613, Michael Romanov
becomes czarbecomes czar

4. Peter the Great Comes toPeter the Great Comes to
PowerPower The Rise of PeterThe Rise of Peter
– Peter the Great becomesPeter the Great becomes
czar in 1696, begins toczar in 1696, begins to
reform Russiareform Russia
 Russia Contrasts withRussia Contrasts with
EuropeEurope
– Cut off geographicallyCut off geographically
from Europefrom Europe
– Culturally isolated, littleCulturally isolated, little
contact with westerncontact with western
EuropeEurope
– Religious differencesReligious differences
widen gapwiden gap

5. Peter Rules AbsolutelyPeter Rules Absolutely
 Peter Visits the WestPeter Visits the West
– In 1697, Peter visits western Europe to learnIn 1697, Peter visits western Europe to learn
European waysEuropean ways
 Peter’s GoalPeter’s Goal
– Goal ofGoal of westernizationwesternization —using western Europe as a—using western Europe as a
model for changemodel for change
 Peter’s ReformsPeter’s Reforms
– Brings Orthodox Church under state controlBrings Orthodox Church under state control
– Reduces power of great landownersReduces power of great landowners
– Modernizes army by having European officers trainModernizes army by having European officers train
soldierssoldiers

6. Peter Rules Absolutely (continued)Peter Rules Absolutely (continued)
 Westernizing RussiaWesternizing Russia
– Introduces potatoesIntroduces potatoes
– Starts Russia’s first newspaperStarts Russia’s first newspaper
– Raises women’s statusRaises women’s status
– Adopts Western fashionAdopts Western fashion
– Advances educationAdvances education

7. Peter Rules Absolutely (continued)Peter Rules Absolutely (continued)
 Establishing St. PetersburgEstablishing St. Petersburg
– Peter wants a seaport that will make travel toPeter wants a seaport that will make travel to
West easier.West easier.
– Fights Sweden to win port on Baltic SeaFights Sweden to win port on Baltic Sea
– In 1703, begins building new capital called St.In 1703, begins building new capital called St.
Petersburg.Petersburg.
– Building city takes many years, many serfs dieBuilding city takes many years, many serfs die
in process.in process.
– By the time of Peter’s death, Russia is force toBy the time of Peter’s death, Russia is force to
be reckoned with in Europebe reckoned with in Europe

8. ““English Embankment,”English Embankment,”
St. Petersburg, RussiaSt. Petersburg, Russia

9. Palace Square, St. PetersburgPalace Square, St. Petersburg

10. Church of the Savior on Spilt Blood,Church of the Savior on Spilt Blood,
St. Petersburg, RussiaSt. Petersburg, Russia