Ch 5:4 Peter The Great Flashcards

Study Notes

Westernization Efforts

Peter the Great aimed to strengthen Russia by emulating Western Europe’s economic and social structures.
He implemented reforms to modernize various facets of Russian society.

Absolute Monarchy and Power Expansion

Introduced changes across the state, consolidating power as an absolute monarch.
Brought the Russian Orthodox Church under state control and established a Holy Synod to oversee church affairs.
Weakened the influence of the Boyars by introducing a merit-based system, opening opportunities for lower classes.
Educated Boyar children in Europe and enacted a beard tax, among other reforms.

Military Modernization

Expanded and modernized the Russian military by hiring European officers for training.
Created a standing army and established a navy to enhance military capabilities.

Taxation for Military Financing

Imposed heavy taxes primarily to fund the expansion and maintenance of the large army.

Strategies for Westernization

Completed a European tour to learn shipbuilding and other trades.
Launched a Russian newspaper and encouraged higher social status for women in public life.
Mandated Western attire for nobles and advanced education through arts and sciences schools.
Implemented cultural changes, such as moving New Year's Day from September to January and introducing potatoes into Russian cuisine.

Challenges of Isolation

Russia lagged due to geographic barriers, including frozen seaports, and an entrenched Orthodox Catholic religion.
The feudal system and a cultural focus on Constantinople limited exposure to Renaissance and Reformation ideas from Rome.

Enhancing Western Access

Fought Sweden for control of Baltic territory, resulting in the establishment of St. Petersburg, built under harsh conditions causing significant loss of life.
Engaged in conflict with the Ottomans for access to the Azov Sea and Black Sea, facilitating easier trade routes.

Decreasing Boyar Influence

Established a merit-based social order to reduce the power of the Boyars.
Disbanded the elite Streltzy after they rebelled, and required Boyar families to move to St. Petersburg.
Enforced Western customs among the nobility, including clothing regulations.

Enemies in Expansion

Engaged in military conflict with Sweden to acquire land for the development of St. Petersburg.

Key Terms

Boyar: A Russian noble, part of the landed aristocracy.
Czar: The title for the Russian emperor, denoting absolute power.

Ivan IV "The Terrible"

Known for his tyrannical reign, characterized by bouts of madness.
Established a secret police to eliminate perceived threats among the Boyars and killed his own son in a fit of rage.

Description

These flashcards cover key concepts related to Peter The Great's efforts in westernizing Russia and consolidating his absolute power. Explore how he modeled his reforms after Western Europe to strengthen the economy and society, while also reforming the Russian Orthodox Church. Test your knowledge of this transformative period in Russian history.