Peter the Tsar (Czar) Reforms
Instituted a forced and rapid modernization Worked to base Russian
industries on most advanced science and technology
Sent Russians to study abroad Traveled to western Europe to
learn about governments, military, and industries
Military reform Equipped better-paid and better-
trained armies with modern weapons
Ordered aristocratic officers to study mathematics and geometry
Built the largest army in Europe, defeated Sweden in the Great Northern War
Bureaucratic reform Relied on nobles to serve as government
officials Established the Table of Ranks based on
merits Social reform
Abolished the terem (harem), encouraged social mixing of the sexes
Ordered women to wear western clothing and ordered men to shave beards
“Window to the West”
PORT! Great Northern War St. Petersburg Modern power at time of his death in 1725
The Limits of Westernization
Best emphasized by Catherine the Great The Czarina tried to westernize, but found
continuing these reforms impossible. Attracted to ideals of the West—Voltaire and
the Enlightenment. Unwilling to relinquish her absolutist control. “You write on paper, I have to write on skin
which is far more ticklish”.
Pugachev’s Rebellion
Peasant rebellion Protesting taxes Attacked nobles,
officials, and priests Crushed by the Czar’s
army Ended any ideas of
westernization in Russia.
Restrict foreign ideas in Russia
Social matters in Russia
Similar to China in that their social system is dependent on the status of peasants (serfs)
Law Code of 1649 Serfs can be sold Fixed occupational castes Catherine gave greater control over serfs Nobility given near complete control over their
lives
Russian commerce
Began with European trade—primarily in fur. Russians interested in European wares and
manufactured goods. Russians gradually grew weary of trade and
demanded restriction on foreign trade
Russian Religion
Two primary views Avvakum and the
Old Believers refused to accept the views of Nikon and the New Believers.
Political influence over time.
Russian Empire under Pressure
Crimean War: Russia seeking a
warm water Mediterranean Port
At the expense of the Ottomans
Eastern Question Russia whipped—
demonstrates need to modernize
Attempts to modernize in wake of Crimean WarProblem Liberation of serfs by
Alexander the II Increasing agricultural
output by liberating serfs Give political rights in the
form of zemstvos
Outcome Serfs had to pay a tax
without political rights, preferred serfdom.
Agricultural production didn’t increase
Undemocratic bodies with no real authority
Attempts to modernize industry
Solution Sergei Witte’s system to
promote railway construction
Remodeled the state bank
Industrialization
Outcome Other industries
stimulated
Loans were easier to get and industry grew
Fell hardest on workers
Russo-Japanese War
Goal Territorial conquest in
goal of modernization
Outcome Significant, embarrasing
defeat.
Political Changes
Revolution of 1905 Bloody Sunday Massacre Peasant uprising and
Urban workers formed “soviets”
Outcome Establishment of Duma Socialism begins to
become a powerful force in Russia.