Chapter 14: The Rise of Russia

• Ivan III


  Ivan the Great, who had the title of tsar or emperor, freed Russia from the Mongols and began Russian expansion.
• Ivan IV


  Also known as Ivan the terrible; solidifed the power of the tsar and continued Russian expansion. By establishing contact with Western Europe, adapated commerce and culture.
• Cossacks


  The peasants recruited to migrate to new territory in Russia. Spurred additional conquests/settlements, combined agriculture with military conquests.
• Time of Troubles


  The time during the fight to fill a power vacuum Ivan IV left without an heir. Resulted the selection of Michael Romanov, beginning the Romanov empire.
• Romanov dynasty


  The dynasty established after the Time of Troubles. Had a 300 year reign and expanded Russia.
• Old Believers


  Russians who did not accept the ecclesiatical reforms of Alexis Romanov. They were exiled and became part of Russian colonization.
• Peter I


  Peter the Great; ruler after Alexi Romanov. Grew absolutism and continued conquest and imitated Western Europe.
• Catherine the Great


  18th century tsarina. Accepted Western culture and the Enlightenment as well as granting nobility power over peasantry.
• Pugachev Rebellion 


  The rebellion led by Cossack Emelian Pugachev. Emphasis on peasant unrest, as the rebellion was crushed.
• Partition of Poland


  The division of Polish territory among Russia, Prussia, and Austria. Eliminated Poland as an independent state and expanded Russian influence.
• The Russian state by taking advantage of vast plains and few natural barriers, expanded. They focused on military, and gave land to people (nobles) as a reward.
• The main goal of Westernization was to be seen as equal and caught up to the rest of Europe, as Russia used aspects of Western culture to change their appearance. They also wanted expansion and recognized how far behind they were economically. Peter did not want to Westernize their government, and preferred the system of advisors they already had.
• The Russians needed serfs to support their economy of manufacturing labor. They also needed to satisfy their nobility.