Unit 3 Seminar Russian Absolutism

Kayla DuclayanPeriod 5

1989-Analyze the major ways through which Tsar Peter the Great (1689-1725) sought to reform his society and its institutions in order to strengthen Russia and its position in Europe.

ThesisTsar Peter the Great

sought to reform his society and its institutions in order to strengthen Russia and its position in Europe through attempts of military advancement with a standing army, gaining power over the nobility and providing education, forming an organized civil bureaucracy with a stable senate, and controlling the church under the state.

Reform within the Military

I. Creation of a trained standing armya) Disbanding of the old

amateur military unitb) Lifetime service in the

military from the nobles and peasants

c) Establishment of education for the boyars

Battle of Poltava in 1709: Russian and Swedes in Ukraine

Reform within the militaryI. Constant warfare

leads to Russia being the European Great Powera) Great Northern

War (17000-1721)1) Battle of

Poltava (1709)

Russian Army under Tsar Peter the Great

Reform within the nobility

I. Peter the Great forced the boyars to join the military

a) Needed to increase power through the military

b) By forcing the boyars, he ensured power over the nobles

Boyars: Russian Nobles

Reform within the nobility

I. Schools and universities for the Noblesa) Skilled technicians and experts were

neededb) Every young nobleman required to

take compulsory education

Reform through bureaucracy

I. Table of Ranks (1722) a) Promotion based

on meritb) Foreigners placed

in his service.II. Creation of a senate

a) Administrators who governed during Peter’s absence

b) Division of the empire into 50 provinces

Prince Eugene’s Summer Palace, Vienna

Reform within the

churchI. Abolition of the religious head of the Russian Orthodox Churcha) Gave Tsar Peter the Great power to

lead the churchb) Church Property was administered by

the state

Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow, Russia

ConclusionTsar Peter the Great primarily sought reform through ongoing warfare in attempt to seek more territory and power. He built a strong army of well educated nobles plus many peasants and talented foreigners selected by Tsar Peter the Great that made up Russia’s dominant power over Europe. His military-civilian bureaucracy held Russia stable and in check with a senate, which he used for his own ruling benefit. He also took control of the Russian Orthodox Church to gain the power that the church independently had. Tsar Peter the Great reformed his society to improve Russia and reach dominance within Europe