Absolutism in Russia

• What was the primary religion in Russia during the 1400's to early 1600's?

  Eastern Orthodox Christianity
• How did the Eastern Orthodox Church view Catholicism?

  It hated Catholicism
• What alphabet did Russia use that made competition with the West difficult?

  Cyrillic Alphabet
• What was a significant economic issue for Russia during this period?

  Lack of Economic Development
• What impact did Mongolian domination have on Russia?

  Russia lost sovereignty and had to use resources to fight the Mongolians
• What geographical disadvantage did Russia face during this period?

  No Warm Water Port
• What is the title 'Tsar' equivalent to?

  Emperor or Caesar
• Who established a growing hold on land around Moscow in the 1450's?

  Ivan III
• What significant achievement did Ivan III accomplish?

  He defeated Mongolian Rule
• How did Ivan III contribute to the identity of Moscow?

  He made Moscow the "third Rome" by marrying the last Byzantine Princess
• Who were the Boyars?

  Nobles fighting for power
• Who reestablished Muscovy Russia after the Time of Troubles?

  Michael Romanov
• What did Michael Romanov achieve?

  He ended the Time of Troubles
• By 1650, how far did Muscovy Russia extend?

  Into a giant Asian Empire
• What did the 1649 Law Code do regarding serfdom?

  It extended serfdom and reduced liberties of non-Russian nobility
• How was Eastern Orthodoxy treated in the 1649 Law Code?

  It was nationalized
• Who were the Cossacks?

  Bands of outlaws who were once runaway Serfs
• What was Peter the Great's goal during his travels to Europe?

  To learn about economics and technology
• What did Peter the Great do in the Dutch Republic?

  Spent time as a shipbuilder
• What type of economy did Peter the Great develop?

  A mercantile economy
• What military reforms did Peter the Great adopt?

  He adopted the army reforms of the West
• What was a significant military achievement of Peter the Great?

  He focused on making the first Russian navy
• What was the Table of Ranks?

  A system where every person started at the bottom and worked their way up
• What educational reforms did Peter the Great implement?

  He made schools for Navigation, Medicine, Engineering, and Finance
• What was the goal of Peter's educational reforms?

  To make skilled technicians and experts that could rival Western Europe
• What was the Beard Tax?

  A tax that forced nobles to look Western
• What cultural changes did Peter the Great enforce?

  Women wore low necklines and men had to wear short coats
• What was a significant early failure in the Great Northern War?

  The Battle of Narva where they were demolished and humiliated
• What was the significance of the Battle of Poltava in 1709?


  Peter overwhelmed Sweden and won
• What treaty ended the Great Northern War?

  Peace of Nystad 1721
• What territories did Russia gain from the Peace of Nystad?

  Estonia and Latvia
• What city did Peter the Great establish in 1703?

  St. Petersburg
• What was St. Petersburg based on?

  Ideas of Versailles
• What did St. Petersburg become in 1721?

  Peter's "window to the west"
• What type of state did Russia become under Peter the Great?

  A two capital state
• With no warm water port what could Russia not do?

  • they couldn’t trade
  • had no usable water
• Who was the first person to use the title of Tsar?


  Ivan IV
• What was Ivan IV turning point?


  his wife dying
• What army did Ivan IV gain control of and what did he use them for?


  Cossack army. used them to extend into Asia
• What lands did Ivan IV gain?

  • Volga River
  • lands east of the Ural Mountains