Russia Under the Tsars

1
Russia Under the Tsars

• In this lesson, students will be able to define
  the following terms
• Tsar (Czar)
• Peter the Great
• Westernization
• Catherine the Great

2
By the end of the 15th century, local rulers
around Moscow declared their independence from
the Mongols.
3
Even with independence from the Mongols, most
Russians were serfs or peasants bound to Lords
lands.
4
Russian nobles exercised almost absolute power
over their serfs in exchange for absolute loyalty
to the Tsar (Czar).
5
A tsar or czar was the Russian title for a king.
Russian tsars had absolute power.
6
Peter the Great was an important Russian tsar.
He tried to modernize and westernize Russia.
7
Peter the Great

• Peter the Great was an important Russian tsar or
  czar from 1682 -1725.
• He modernized Russia by introducing Western
  ideas, culture, and technology.
• He moved the capital of Russia from Moscow to St.
  Petersburg to have a window on the West.

8
Can you see why St. Petersburg gave Peter the
Great a window on the West?
9
Catherine the Great was a Russian Tsarina or
Czarina from 1762-1796.
10
Catherine the Great

• Catherine the Great continued Peter the Greats
  policies of expansion and Westernization.
• She also promoted limited reforms during her
  reign.
• However, she refused to part with any of her
  absolute power.

11
Like Peter the Great, Catherine the Great was an
absolute ruler.
12
During Peter the Greats reign, Russian nobles
were forced to dress and look Like Western
Europeans.
13
Russia is a country on two continents Europe and
Asia. Under Peter and Catherine, Russia turned
towards Europe.
14
Questions for Reflection

• Why did Russian noble have absolute power over
  their serfs?
• What was a Tsar?
• What were two of Peter the Greats goals for
  Russia?
• What did Catherine the Great accomplish when she
  was Tsarina?
• How were Russian tsars similar to Louis XIV?