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Peter the Great Begins
In 1682 Peter had taken the throne at the age of 10 but had not taken control of the government unlike his half brother, Ivan. Unfortunately in Feburary 1696, Ivan had died of mental and physical illness leaving 23 year old Peter to rule alone. -
Peter the Great Westernzied
Peter had heard and discovered new technology from other ethnic groups (Dutch, Scottish and the English.) In 1697 Peter, left Russia to learn and expand his lnowledge of technology so Russian could modernize. When Peter returned to Russia new rules were set into play. For example boyars, (landowning nobles) had to shave their beards and wear western clothing. -
Serfdom
Nobles at the time were insecure about their lands so Peter the Great had passed laws to ensure the nobles they could retain control over land and serfs. By passing this law Peter has strenghtened Serfdom and was able to force some to work as laborers on roads, canals and other government projects.
* Serfdom: laborers that work on land in return for protection -
Improvements
Because Peter the Great had absolute power, he was able to import Western technology and improve education (setting up academic studies like mathematics, science and engineering.) He was also able to repair water ways and canals, develope mining and textile manufacturing. A world class navy had been bulit to extand Russia's borders, increased trade and tried gaining territory from the Ottoman Empire but was unable to defeat them. -
Great Northern War
A war against the kingdom of Sweden in order to gain territory had ended with a humiliating defeat on Russia's part. But, Peter wasn't inintimidated by Sweden's small army - he regrouped his soliders and in 1709 defeated the Swedes and won the territory along the Baltic Sea. After his win he built a new capital called St. Petersburg. Architects and Italian artisans were invited to desin palaces. St Petersburg had became a symbol of a modern Russia. -
Beginning of Catherine the Great
Catherine the Great was able to meet the expectations of an empress. She was able to organize provincial government, codified laws and give an education to young boys and girls. Catherine fully supported Westernization and encouraged European culture. For example she would ask people to speak in French and to have performances in that language. -
Fight for Poland
In the 1770's Catherine, King Frederick 2 of Prussia, and Emperor Joseph 2 of Austria were all looking to claim territory in Poland. In 1772 the 3 monarchs agreed to a partition to divide Poland. In 1795 the three countries had finished dividing Poland which no longer existed as an independent country. -
World War 1- 1914
World War 1 had quickly strained Russia of resources. Factories weren't making enough supplies and Russia had a weak transportation system. By 1915 soldiers were running low on weapons for battlemaking Russian casualties reach 2 million. In the time of panic Nicholas had turned to advice from a man named Gregory Rasputin who was believed to have mystical powers. In 1916 Rasputin had only damaged the government and was killed that same year out of fear by the Russians. -
Revolutions in Russia
In 1913 it was the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty honoring the tsar family. Russians thought that Alexandra was loved to much by the people to ever be threaten until 1917 when the first revolutions of two, shadowed appond the Romanov dynasty corrupting Russian monarchy -
Lenin and the Bolsheviks
V.I. Lenin was the leader of the Bolsheviks which was inspired by the work of Karl Marx. Lenin had created this group to lead the revolution and to set up a dictatorship. Since there was only a small percentage of people representing them they called themselves the Bolsheviks meaning majority. In March 1917 Germany had saw a way to weaken Russian's by sending Lenin back to Russia who was still in exile. -
Downfall of the Russian Government
Towards the end of World War 1 Russia, was still running low on food and supplies lead to monarchy to collapse. Women had left their jobs in the factories to protest in the streets shouting bread because of the lack of food. While Russia was battleing Germany they were perparing a new constitution to repair problems in the motherland. They had set up soviets- council of workers and soldiers who worked democratically within the government until the Bolsheviks- radical socialist group took charge -
Communist
In November, sailors from a Russian fleet attcked the preovisional government (government established after Nicholas the 2 abdicated) but, Lenin's forces were able to overthrow them without a struggle. The Bolsheviks were later on renamed Communist because they were giving Russians the chance to control mines and factories and become their own masters. -
Soviet Union
In 1928 Stalin had proposed a five year plan aimed to build a heavy industy, improving transportation and increasing crop output. The government agreed with this plan and pushed workers and managers to meet these goals. Those who didn't help would be punished. Production in oil, coal and steel grew. Mining expanded and new railroads were built. Still the standard of living was low. Stalin also brought agriculture under government control - the government would provide tractors and fertilizers. -
Terror Tactics
Stalin had constently used terror as his weapon for control and because there was no free press or safe methods there was nothing the Russians could do. Even though Stalin had absolute power he still feared rival parties leading him to launch the Great Purge. During the scare Stalin had sent out secret police to find any remines of the Communist party. They would torture former communist leaders to confessing their crimes. -
Control of the Arts and religion
Under the hand of Stalin, the government took control of what books were being published, what music was heard and what kind of art was saw by the people. The only artist view that was allowed was socialist realism which was a goal to show Soviet life in a positive light and promote hope. Nothing artistic could pass unless passed by Stalin many artist were imprisoned and tortured. The Orthodox religion was being persecuted as well- Communist were trying to replace religion with there own ideas.
