Westernization of Russia

Question 1

Michael Romanov

Answer 1

• r. 1613-1645
• Michael restored internal order
• drove out foreign invaders
• recommenced imperial expansion
• increase the tsar’s authority by abolishing the assemblies of nobles and restoring state control of the church
• serfdom becomes hereditary

Question 2

Russia

Answer 2

• Russia remained mainly an agricultural state
• under Peter the Great, past policies continued, but with new interest in changing the economy and culture through imitation of Western forms
• Russia’s first Westernization effort
• Peter’s travels to the West gained an interest in science and technology brought back Western artisans
• reorganization by Western principle influenced politics, economics, and culture
• Russia created a navy
• Councils of nobles were eliminated and replaced by advisers under Peter’s control
• Law codes were systematized and the tax system reformed to increase the burden on peasantry
• Landlords were rewarded for using serfs in manufacturing operations
• Cultural reforms were aimed to bring Western patterns to change old customs
• Nobles (boyars) had to shave their beards and dress Western style
• Attempts were made to increase education in mathematics and technical subject
• Conditions improved for upper-class women
• There were no attempts to form an exporting industrial economy
• Westernization meant encouragement of autocratic rule not challenge it like ideas circulating in the West

Question 3

Peter the Great

Answer 3

• r. 1682-1725
• traveled to the west in disguise
• brought back artisans and scientists
• tried bring western ideas, manufacturing, and culture to Russia
• autocrat
• repressed any types of revolt
• created secret police
• got warm water port by going to war with Sweden
• devalued parliament
• attack Ottoman empire and Sweden
• Peter’s death in 1724 was followed by decades of weak rulers
• this encourage grumblings about westernization

Question 4

Westernization

Answer 4

• Political Changes:
• small bureaucratic dept
• military reforms: improved weapons, first navy
• got rid of noble advisers
• Tsar appointed local magistrates
• systematized law codes
• new training for bureaucrats
• Economic Changes:
• mining
• didn’t urbanize: limited middle class

Question 5

Catherine the Great

Answer 5

• significant change resumed during the reign of Catherine the Great
• she used the Pugachev peasant revolt as an excuse to extend central government authority
• was a Westerner and brought Enlightenment ideas to Russia
• serfdom remains strong
• expanded Russia

Question 6

How did the Russian leaders that followed Peter the Great respond to his westernization?

Answer 6

• they pushed back and resisted it

Question 7

What happened to the role of the czar under Russian leader, Peter the Great?

Answer 7

• it became stronger, central to government

Question 8

Which Country became part of Catherine’s empire in Russia?

Answer 8

• Poland