Russian Tsars

Peter I

Also known as Peter the Great; son of Alexis Romanov; ruled from 1689 to 1725; continued growth of absolutism and conquest; included more definite interest in changing selected aspects of economy and culture through imitation of western European models.

Peter II

Peter III

The husband of Catherine the Great, was mentally unstable and was murdered by a group of Russian army officers.

Catherine II

Empress of Russia who greatly increased the territory of the empire (1729-1796).

Alexander I

the czar of Russia whose plans to liberalize the government of Russia were unrealized because of the wars with Napoleon (1777-1825).

Nicolas I

He became Czar of Russia in 1825 and was immediately faced with the Decembrist Revolt, which he crushed. He was a firm follower of autocracy and stressed conservative policies that forced many of Russia's liberal intellectuals to flee. He died in 1855.

Alexander II

(r. 1855-1881) Emperor of Russia; advocated moderate reforms for Russia; emancipated the serfs; he was assassinated.

Alexander III

Politically reactionary czar who promoted economic modernization of Russia (1881-1894).

Nicolas II

The last tsar of Russia; executed in 1917 by the Bolsheviks, ending over 300 years of Romanov Rule. Blamed for the Russian defeat in the Russo-Japanese war.

Ivan the Terrible

(1533-1584) earned his nickname for his great acts of cruelty directed toward all those with whom he disagreed, even killing his own son. He became the first ruler to assume the title Czar of all Russia.

Ivan III

Moscow prince who led rebellion against the Golden Horde.

Elizabeth I

Daughter of Peter the Great. Got Russia involved in the war of Austrian Succession and The Seven Years War.