How the Rise of Absolutism Changed Russia

While the 1600’s in Europe were characterized by economic growth, expansion in the New World, and rapid development of technology, much of Eastern Europe struggled to maintain equal standing with the other countries. After various principalities liberated themselves from the Mongols in the 15th and 16th centuries, the Grand Duke of Moscow created the centralized state of Russia. After Ivan the Terrible established himself as the first czar of Russia in 1547, the newly-formed state was able to gain more territory but continued to fall short compared to many westward European countries. One of the main reasons for this was that much of the territory surrounding Russia was controlled by the powerful Swedish, while the Russian coasts off of the Pacific were often too cold or frozen over for ships to sail. However, when the other European country’s successes with westernization pressed the Russian monarchs to adapt, this all began to change.

The rise of absolutism in Russia and its resulting prosperity is commonly associated with the early 18th century, and the westernization that had become prominent at this time. Although several later rulers are often credited with Russia’s adaptation of westernization and absolutism, the fundamental aspects of absolutism had already begun to be ingrained in Russia prior to their rules. Many of these such elements were introduced by Tsar Alexis, who ruled from 1645-72. This began with Russia’s victory against the seigneurs (feudal lords) of Moscow, which won them the rights to the surplus product produced by peasants, both material and agricultural. By collecting surplus, the peasants had a motivator to increase their productivity and whatever wasn’t used profited the government. Additionally, Alexis was able to continue gaining territory; he often gave out this land to trusted nobles in exchange for allegiance and support, not unlike the feudal systems of past centuries.

After Alexis’ death in 1676, rule of Russia was handed over to Feodor (Theodore) III, his eldest surviving son. However, when Feodor died in 1882 his power was then handed onto Ivan V, Peter I, and Sofia Alekseyevna, who was Peter’s regent as he was only ten at the time of his eldest brother’s death. Unfortunately, by the age of twenty-seven Ivan’s health continued to rapidly decline, and he died two years later. This left the Russian throne in the hands of Peter I, who was now 24. In 1697, only a year after Ivan’s death, Peter embarked on his famous 18 month long journey west. With his Grand Embassy, a Russian delegation, he traveled in disguise and learned the cultures and developments that had sprung up in Western Europe. He interviewed scientists and other professionals to examine what had exactly let these other countries progress so suddenly. In 1698 Peter returned to Russia, and with what he had learned on his trip, set about modernizing his state.

By the end of his reign, Peter had built up a standing army of 300,000 men, in which peasants were required to serve 25 years in the army. To supplement his forces, he also hired Europeans and Russians to serve as officers. Meanwhile, Peter saw to the construction of St. Petersburg as his “Window to the West” and named it the country’s capital after its completion. Peter waged war on the territories surrounding St. Petersburg, the most notable of which was Sweden. At the time, Sweden was directing most of its resources into fighting Lithuania and Poland, so they were underprepared for the growing Russian forces. The Russians and their allies were able to drive the once powerful Swedish King into exile, and The Treaty of Nystad ended the war against Sweden in 1721, giving Russia Estonia. His victory against the Swedes led Russia to be recognized by many as a significant state.

Peter’s westernization of Russia also affected cultural factors beyond land, agriculture, and military. One of the largest changes that was made under Peter’s regime was a shift in Russia’s religious views, or at least those that were recognized by the state. Russia’s main religious body, the Russian Orthodox Church, had been led by the patriarch of Moscow since the mid 1400s following liberation from the Mongols. The serving patriarch Adrian (Andrey) had been a vocal critic of Peter’s efforts to change the core aspects of how Russia functioned, and having the Church against him did not help Peter gain respect nor allegiance from his citizens. Opposingly, Peter also pushed back against Adrian, and claimed that several clergymen would better serve the Church than a single man. This ultimately led to the end of Russia’s religious patriarchy, and when Aidan died, Peter put a layman in charge. Having a high figure in the Church under his control greatly added to Peter’s power and influence, although many peasants disagreed with his choices.

Although Peter’s rule helped Russia expand greatly as an empire, people’s views of him differed throughout the social classes, and some of his greatest failures were in the eyes of the peasants. Peter the Great’s power may have been too expansive, and ended up causing him to spread the country’s already lacking finances thin. His reforms were expensive and only benefited those who had the wealth to compensate for them. He also risked citizens lives and did not show them compassion, such as when he threatened imprison workers until St. Petersburg was finished. Additionally, he also lost alliances with other countries and frequently started wars, endangering poor border towns. He also tried, and somewhat failed, to make Russia less reliant on foreign imports, becoming more centered around wealthy merchants. However, the country still ended up losing money because his navy and army cost so much- in fact, 80% of what the country earned was needed to fund them. To compensate for this, taxes were raised even higher and created a worse burden on peasants.

Peter’s alternative and absolute rule did little in favor of the peasantry, but in many ways altered Russia’s place in history. His reforms turned Russia into a significant military power and important member of the European system, also setting a precedent for later similarly strict rulers. However, his attempts to modernize Russia were not completely successful, and overall only the upper classes embraced Western culture, while the rest of the Russian people did not adopt Western culture until much later. His creation of oppressive legislation like poll taxes on the poor and even on more trivial things such as beards characterized the all-encompassing power of an absolute ruler. He also, like many other absolute monarchs, certainly valued nobility over his average citizens. Although Peter’s reforms hugely benefited the nobility over the peasantry and was not in any regards lenient, his alternative rule changed Russia’s future on a great scale.