Russia 1400-1725

Get a hint

Ivan III

Click the card to flip 👆

1 / 15

Also called "Ivan The Terrible." Ruled fairly well initially. He became the terrible when his wife died. Executed hundreds of people. Was extremely cruel.Created the Oprichniki, which were a secret police made up of his own loyal people who terrorized the country wearing all black. He increased trade and contacts with western Europe, imported certain occupations from Germany and England. Introduced the first printing press. Expanded Russian borders 50 sq. miles per day.

Peter the Great

(1672-1725) Russian tsar (r. 1689-1725). He enthusiastically introduced Western languages and technologies to the Russian elite, moving the capital from Moscow to the new city of St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg

Capitol city created by Peter the Great to resemble a French city. It was built on land taken from Sweden. Was his "Window to the West."

Peterhof

splendid palace in St. Petersburg which symbolically faced west; essentially Peter the Great's version of Versailles.

Grand Embassy

Peter's 18 month visit to Western Europe to learn about European customs and manufacturing techniques to help westernize Russia.

Reforms in Russia after the Grand Embassy

Shaved/yanked out beards, shorter coats, women no longer wear veils, women converse with men in society, education reforms, creation of an Academy of Sciences, westernized military, created a navy with shipyards, fought wars against Sweden and won.

The Kremlin

A massive fortress at the heart of Moscow that served as the center of Russian government until Peter moved the capital.