Russian Rulers

Question 1

Peter the Great

Answer 1

(1672-1725; ruled 1682-1725) the Great pushed for Westernization. Led Russia in the Great Northern War, reformed bureaucracy. He built St. Petersburg, defeated the Swedes and Finns, and modernized Russia’s army and economy. Ultimately well-liked even though he tortured musketeers and executed his son.

Question 2

Catherine the Great

Answer 2

Catherine II, (1729-1796; ruled 1762-1796) born German and selected to be the wife of Peter III. “Russianized” herself when he came to power and disposed of him. Was an Enlightened despot and expanded the empire. Had a notably extravagant love life. (Horse rumor)

Question 3

Alexander II

Answer 3

(1818-1881; ruled 1855-1881) Took throne near the end of Crimean War. Emancipated serfs in 1861. Tried to improve court system, eased censorship, and reorganized the army. Became reactionary after an assassination attempt. Actually assassinated in 1881.

Question 4

Tsar Nicolas II

Answer 4

(1868-1918; ruled 1894-1917) Led country through Russo-Japanese War and World War I. Rasputin treated his hemophiliac son, Alexei. The last tsar of Russia, Nicholas made several blunders which led to the Russian Revolution and the downfall of the Russian empire. Abdicated in 1917 and shot in 1918.

Question 5

Alexander I

Answer 5

(1777-1825; ruled 1801-1825) Took throne when father Paul was assassinated. Liberal. Fought against Napoleon. Wanted to establish Holy Alliance. Eccentric and mystic religious person. Rumored to have not died, and instead became a monk.

Question 6

Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible)

Answer 6

(1530-1584; ruled 1533-1584) notoriously unstable: he temporarily abdicated in 1564, killed his favorite son, created a state-within-the-state, and tortured his enemies. Had St. Basil’s Cathedral built

Question 7

Nicholas I

Answer 7

(1796-1855; ruled 1825-1855) “embodiment of Russian autocracy”. Pursued policy of nationality, established secret police called The Third Section. Helped Habsburgs in Hungarian Revolution.

Question 8

Alexander III

Answer 8

(1845-1894; ruled 1881-1894) Kind of a jerk. Launched “counter-reforms”; enacted temporary regulations, increased censorship, tightened control on universities. Possibly an anti-Semite.

Question 9

Boris Godunov

Answer 9

(ca. 1551-1605; ruled 1598-1605) Married one of Ivan IV’s favorites; arranged his sister’s marriage to Ivan’s son, Fyodor. Elected tsar when Fyodor died. Maybe arranged murder of Fyodor’s brother Dmitrii. Subject of a Pushkin play and a Mussorgsky opera.

Question 10

Michael I

Answer 10

(ca. 1551-1605; ruled 1613 - 1645) elected and succession marked the end of the Time of Troubles. election marked the return of stability and succession of Romanov dynasty