1. Introduction of Russia

1598 (mid 16C) VS 1856 (mid 19C):

1598 - End of Rurik Dynasty

1856 - End of Crimean War

1598 - Slavic, Orthodox, internationally isolated, xenophobic elite.

1856 - Multi national, multi-denominational, European great power, westernised elite, impoverished peasants.

Course outline:

• Riurikid dynasty end, plunged Muscovy into civil war.

• Start of the 'time of troubles'.

• Analyses way the Romanov dynasty installed in 1613 restored stability and secured their territories against enemies.

• Some extent -> drew on Western models, but only Peter the Great (1682-1725) built a new capital at St Petersburg that Russia fully took in European civilisation ideas.

• Westernised transformed the Russian elite, bringing noble vulture into contact with European Enlightenment under Catherine the great (1762096).

• People paid the price for the cosmopolitan capital and territories.

• Alexander 1 defeat of Napolean in 1812-14 -> Russia became greatest continental power in Europe.

• Caused the Crimean War.

• Social, political, cultural, and diplomatic topics.

mid 16th century

• St Basil Cathedral in Moscow, profoundly religious views.

• Politics, state, power all came mainly from the bible (especially the old testament).

• Extremely orthodox and was the main centre of power in Russia.

• First testament is mainly on punishment against the people by God when they sinned. Protection was only given if you did not sin.

• The main ideas of politics was creating special relations with God and thus being successful. Favours were from God.

• Muscovite Boyar (high ranking individuals close to the tsar). Long bears were a sign of orthodoxy or older age. Petr Potemkin was the ambassador for the UK. Russia didn’t particularly have embassies so they gave out Muscovite delegations who were ambassadors.

church: 1598 did not have much things coming from the west, however their central hub was the Church.

• Those in the church were literate and thus created documents to share.

• Gave out religious documents.

• Wrote history of Russia, Saint lives, religion etc.

• Administrative - data on attendance, finances, tax records etc.

st petersburg

• Extremely different to the old Russia.

• Western style buildings, space and planning is extremely different (circle design of Moscow).

• Petersburg was in the west to be nearer to its Western neighbours as well as near the Baltic Sea.

• Can showcase Peter trying to create relations with the West.

• Grigorii Potemkin (clean shaven, much more modern looking) showcases the difference between the Muscovites who resided in Moscow.

Russian villages

• Huge gap between the elite and the vast majority of the Russian population.

• Late 16th century peasants accounted for more than 90% of the population.

• End of 16th century, most peasants became served:

  • No personal freedom

  • Extensive development of Russian society

  • Was it oppressive or was there some type of freedom/benefit/reward?

• Peasantry stayed impoverished throughout the periods (although they tried to protect economic and social security).

Peter the Great (1682-1725):

• Westernised.

• Created St Petersburg.

• Moscow vs St Petersburg:

  • Old vs new

  • Moscow as symbolic centre of opposition

  • Slavophiles (old Muscovites was a symbol of old good, opposed corrupt westernisation brought in) VS Westernisers(1840)

1598

• End of the Rurik- Vikings, Norse, start the dynasty which lasts for 700 years.

• Feodor I (last Rurik):

  • Son of Ivan the terrible

  • Seemingly unfit to rule (mental illness, down syndrome?)

  • Regency helps him rule (when the emperor is unfit to rule). Rule in his name.

  • Passes away with a dynastic crisis = succession crisis (who is supposed to rule).

• Next person to rule problems:

  • Legitimacy to rule.

  • Hostile power vacuum, opens Russia up to its enemies as it’s a vulnerable position.

1856

• End of the Crimean War:

  • First defeat in 50 years.

  • Was up against Britain, the Ottoman Empire, France.

  • Ottoman empire - 'sick man of Europe', but with coalition with other countries can be seen as significant.

  • Russia seems weak due to being defeated by such a weak force.

  • Country doesn’t seem very centralised with a lack of military cohesion, lack of government control.

  • Highlights weakness in the Russian economy.

Weaknesses that are evident with the loss:

• Technological

• Military and logistics

• Economic weakness

• 40 years ago, they were extremely dominant (as seen by the fact they beat Napolean, who took France arguably to their peak).

What is Nancy Kollmann’s argument about the development of the Russian Empire (1450–1801)?

Kollmann argues that the Russian Empire expanded to secure resources, trade routes, and strategic territory, while maintaining stability across diverse regions. Expansion was driven by competition with neighbouring empires (e.g. Ottoman Empire and Mughal Empire) and enabled by improvements in military power, bureaucracy, and communications.

Internally, rulers maintained control through flexible governance, rewarding elites with land and privileges, collecting taxes and manpower, and forming direct vertical relationships with local elites rather than integrating regions fully.

Rather than following a Western developmental path, Russia built institutions influenced by multiple traditions (including Mongol Empire political practices and Orthodox ideology), creating a multi-ethnic empire governed through negotiation, coercion, and local autonomy.