# {} Before Peter
### == Stuck in the Past ==

Russia was still very medieval
	- Isolated from many of the developments in Europe
	- Unaffected by the European Renaissance
Romanov Dynasty began in 1613, centralized authority under a Tsar
	- Nobles had elected Michael Romanov
		- He and his successors brought stability and some centralization

# {} Peter & Modernization
### == Peter the Great ==

Only 10 in 1682 when he came to the throne
	- Shared it with his brother Ivan until his death in 1696
		- Tumultuous beginning to his reign
	- Convinced he must secure power from the streltsy and boyars and increase the Russian Military
1697 he journeyed throughout Europe
	- Especially impressed by the maritime powers
	- Recruited a group and brought them back to Russia
		- Used them to westernize his country

### == Modernizing by Force ==

Enforced autocratic rule - rule with unlimited authority
	- Forced the boyars to be civil or military officials (Table of Ranks)
Cultural changes as well
	- Russian style made them the butt jokes in Europe
	- Boyars were forced to shave their bears, wear western style clothes, and mix with women in public
	- To ensure noble cooperation, he strengthened noble control over their lands
		- Stricter control over serfs spread the practice
		- Some serfs were used by his government as well - soldiers and laborers

### == Might Makes Right ==

Pushed through reforms modeled after the west
	- Technology, education, simplified alphabet
	- Mercantilist policies: encouraged exports and manufacturing
		- A trade surplus is necessary for healthy economy
Put down resistance with gruesome displays
Expanded his control to include the church
	- Abolished the patriarch, set up the Holy Synod which would govern the church with his influence

### == Expanding Russian Influence ==

Military - largest standing army in Europe and a modern navy
	- Goal: attain a warm water port on the Black Sea
		- Unable to defeat the Ottomans
		- Defeated the Swedes in the Great Northern War and ports on the Baltic and a place in European politics
		- Won lands to the west north of Manchuria and sent explorers along the Bering Strait
Built St. Petersburg
	- Constructed "window to the west" on the Baltic sea
### == Was Peter Successful? ==

Attained warm water ports
Built a large army and modern navy
Increased power over nobles
	- Some ground was lost after his death
Expanded holdings to the pacific
Left no heir
Serfdom increased
	- Widened the gap with Western Europe