Aim: What were the limitations of centralization and

westernization in Czarist Russia?

“Russia has never been a nation state,

but always an empire, with

Muskovy gradually expanding its

borders since the 15th century.

Russia built a state as it built its

empire; the two were inseparable.”

Use of Cossack settlers – nation-building? Free “Russian” peasants vs. nomadic peoples

Russian boundaries at their greatest extent (19th century)

Comparing centralization – Russian state played “catch-up” to other

absolutist states

• Mongols encouraged centralization – to their regret• Control over Russian Orthodox Church – Avvakum• Asserted authority: “Czar” – Caesar (Russia as the “Third Rome”)

Russian state - nobility relations

• From “Chosen Council” (Ivan) to “Table of Ranks” (Peter) – asserted control over loyal nobility; abolition of boyars

• Oprichnina – confiscation of large estates and oprichniki – new aristocracy, loyal to the Czar

• “The Czar himself was an energetic servant of the state” – Peter had his own “weak” son executed

• Supported nobles control over their own estates – increased serfdom. Reasons? Vast extent of empire made it harder to control; support of nobility crucial - compare with Ottoman Janissaries

“Compared to the shoguns, Russia’s czars were more open to outside influences….”

St. Petersburg

Russian “Westernization”

• “Germantown” in Moscow: foreigners area – shows fascination yet control

• Technological modernization: military reform: Russian navy; industrial development under state guidance

• Western culture; Peter shaves nobles’ beards• Bureaucratic reform• St. Petersburg – easy access to western Europe; a

new city w/ new ways, not tradition

“Compared to the shoguns, Russia’s czars were more open to outside influences, yet they too sought to

control the introduction of ideas from western Europe.”

St. Petersburg

Moscow

Western Europe

Russian “Westernization”

• “Germantown” in Moscow: foreigners area – shows fascination yet control

• St. Petersburg – easy access to western Europe; a new city w/ new (western) ways, not tradition

• Technological modernization: military reform: Russian navy; industrial development under state guidance

• Western culture: Peter shaves nobles’ beards

Limits on “Westernization”

• Serfdom remained• Restrictions on social mobility limited power of

merchant class• Nobility remained powerful: “Table of Ranks” vs.

western centralized bureaucracy• Traded w/ west through St. Petersburg, but as a “periphery” - natural resources for higher technology goods