The Rise of Russia and Prussia: Crash Course European History #17

CrashCourse
27 Aug 201914:55
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThis episode of Crash Course European History explores the rise of Russia and Brandenburg-Prussia in the 17th century. Tsar Peter the Great's reforms modernized Russia's military and society, while the Hohenzollern family's state-building efforts in Brandenburg-Prussia led to a powerful, militarized kingdom. Both nations' growth impacted Europe's balance of power and contributed to Poland-Lithuania's decline, showcasing the complexities of state building and the varied effects of modernization on different social classes.

Takeaways
  • 🏰 The Hapsburgs and their allies drove the Ottomans out of Eastern Europe, initiating the Habsburg expansion eastward.
  • 🇷🇺 Russia sought stability after the Time of Troubles, and Tsar Peter the Great became a significant figure in its transformation.
  • 🤴 Peter the Great was not only an outsized monarch in terms of physical stature but also in his impact on Russia's modernization.
  • 👥 Peter's rise to power involved complex negotiations with various interest groups, including the Orthodox Church, the army, and the aristocracy.
  • 🎖️ Peter reorganized the military and the nobility, creating a meritocracy and diminishing the power of the Russian Orthodox Church's patriarch.
  • 🛠️ His curiosity and fascination with Western Europe led to a series of reforms aimed at modernizing and westernizing Russia.
  • 💪 Peter's military reforms included the establishment of a standing army and modernization of weaponry, which proved successful against Sweden.
  • 🏙️ St. Petersburg was built as a European-style city with an outlet to the Baltic, showcasing Peter's admiration for Western architecture and planning.
  • 👩‍🎓 Peter encouraged education in math, science, and engineering, and founded schools to support these initiatives.
  • 🧔 Peter ended the practice of men wearing beards, symbolizing a shift towards a more modern and European identity.
  • 👨‍🌾 Despite modernization, serfs faced increased hardships, with new regulations limiting their rights and subjecting them to landowners' brutality.
Q & A

  • What significant event marked the beginning of the Habsburg expansion eastward?

    -The Habsburg expansion eastward began with the help of Romanians and others driving the Ottomans out of large parts of Eastern Europe.

  • Which two states are the focus of the 17th-century discussion in the script?

    -The two states discussed are Russia, which sought stability after the Time of Troubles, and the House of Brandenburg-Prussia, a small state that grew to become powerful.

  • Why was Peter the Great's rise to power not initially promising?

    -Peter the Great's rise to power was not initially promising because he was born in 1672 and was not first in line to the Russian throne. His half-sister Sophia was ruling as regent at the time.

  • How did Peter the Great's reforms change the Russian nobility?

    -Peter the Great created a table of ranks for the nobility, where promotions depended on service to the state, aiming to end nepotism and favoritism and make the aristocracy more meritocratic.

  • What was Peter the Great's approach to the Russian Orthodox Church?

    -Peter the Great eliminated the power of the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church by leaving the post vacant and setting up a Synod of lay people overseen by the Tsar.

  • Why did Peter the Great travel to Western Europe in 1697?

    -Peter the Great traveled to Western Europe to observe and learn from Western rulers, particularly the Dutch, who were advanced in areas like canal building, fire control, architecture, and urban lighting.

  • What was the outcome of the Great Northern War for Russia and Sweden?

    -The Great Northern War resulted in Russia obtaining Sweden's continental territory, including Estonia and Latvia, and ended Sweden's continental influence, pushing it back to Scandinavia.

  • How did Peter the Great's vision for St. Petersburg contribute to the modernization of Russia?

    -Peter the Great built St. Petersburg as a European-style city with an outlet to the Baltic, which included museums, libraries, universities, and government buildings, symbolizing modernization and westernization.

  • What reforms did Peter the Great implement to develop his subjects as modern thinkers?

    -Peter the Great founded schools, including military schools, to teach math, science, and engineering. He also required sons in the aristocratic ranks to study these subjects and serve as officers in the military.

  • How did the rise of Brandenburg-Prussia contrast with the decline of Poland-Lithuania?

    -Brandenburg-Prussia rose by strengthening its military and centralizing power, while Poland-Lithuania declined partly due to its constitutional system where the nobility failed to fortify government institutions.

  • What was the significance of the general directory created by King Frederick William the First?

    -The general directory was a branch of government created to oversee the operation of the kingdom for the benefit of the army, including raising taxes, recruiting administrators, and soldiers.

Outlines
00:00
🏰 Tsar Peter's Reforms and the Rise of Russia

This paragraph discusses the significant reforms and state-building efforts of Tsar Peter the Great. Born in 1672, Peter ascended to the throne amidst a complex power structure involving various interest groups. His reign marked a shift from traditional to merit-based nobility, with the creation of a precise table of ranks. He also diminished the Orthodox Church's political power by establishing a Synod of laypeople. Peter's curiosity and fascination with Western Europe led him to modernize Russia, including the establishment of a standing army, which played a crucial role in the Great Northern War against Sweden. His ambitious project of building St. Petersburg, a European-style city, was a symbol of modernization but came at a great human cost. Peter's reforms also targeted women's roles in society and education, promoting a more modern and Western-oriented outlook.

05:00
🛠️ The Transformation of Brandenburg-Prussia

This section of the script focuses on the rise of Brandenburg-Prussia, a small state that expanded significantly over time. The Hohenzollern family, particularly the Great Elector Frederick William, played a pivotal role in consolidating power and building a strong military presence. Frederick William's strategy involved weakening the representative bodies to strengthen monarchical power, similar to developments in Russia. His grandson, King Frederick William I, further modernized the Prussian army, creating a government branch dedicated to its support. The script also highlights the state-building exercises of Prussia, which included establishing national symbols and institutions to solidify its identity and power. The narrative underscores the importance of state-building for the future of Europe and the decline of the Poland-Lithuania Commonwealth due to its failure to strengthen government institutions.

10:00
🌟 The Impact of Modernization on Different Social Classes

The final paragraph explores the varied impacts of Peter's modernization efforts on different social classes in Russia. While some benefited from advancements in science, art, and education, others faced increased hardships, particularly the serfs. New regulations curtailed the rights of serfs, subjecting them to harsher conditions and the brutality of landowners. Despite contributing to the cultural and artistic life of Russia, serfs were not afforded the same protections or power as the upper classes. The paragraph raises questions about the true meaning of modernization and its effects on the most vulnerable members of society, suggesting that the concept of modernity can vary greatly depending on one's social position.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Hapsburgs
The Hapsburgs, also known as the House of Habsburg, were one of the most influential royal families in European history. In the context of the video, they are noted for their role in driving the Ottomans out of Eastern Europe, which marked the beginning of their eastward expansion. This event is significant as it highlights the power dynamics and territorial ambitions prevalent during the 17th century.
💡Time of Troubles
The 'Time of Troubles' refers to a period of political crisis and social unrest in Russia that occurred at the beginning of the 17th century. It was characterized by the failure of the succession of the Rurikid dynasty, leading to foreign intervention and civil war. The video mentions Russia's quest for stability after this tumultuous period, indicating the nation's desire to move forward and solidify its governance.
💡Brandenburg-Prussia
Brandenburg-Prussia, ruled by the House of Hohenzollern, was a small state that grew to become a major European power over two centuries. The video emphasizes its transformation from a minor territory to a formidable kingdom, illustrating the theme of state-building and the rise of new powers during the 17th century.
💡Tsar Peter the Great
Tsar Peter the Great was the ruler of Russia who sought to modernize and westernize the country. His reign is marked by significant reforms in military, administration, and society. The video describes his physical stature and his impact on Russian politics, including his reorganization of the military and nobility, and his efforts to create a meritocracy.
💡Streltsy
The Streltsy were a corps of infantrymen in Russia, first initiated by Ivan the Terrible. In the video, they are mentioned as having risen up against poor conditions, hoping to revive the administration of the regent Sophia. Their subsequent suppression by Peter the Great helped pave the way for the modernization of the Russian military.
💡Great Northern War
The Great Northern War was a conflict in the early 18th century involving Russia, Sweden, Poland, and Denmark. The video discusses how Peter the Great fortified and modernized the Russian army, leading to a significant victory over Sweden, which marked a turning point in Russia's continental influence.
💡St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is a European-style city built by Peter the Great as an outlet to the Baltic Sea. The construction of this city is highlighted in the video as a symbol of Peter's modernization efforts, involving the reclamation of marshy land and the creation of canals, reflecting his admiration for Western European urban planning.
💡Serfdom
Serfdom was a system of agriculture known as 'second serfdom' in which peasants were bound to the land and subjected to the will of the landowners. The video describes how new regulations under Peter the Great made life more difficult for serfs, stripping them of rights and increasing their vulnerability to abuse, while also highlighting the skilled artisans among them.
💡Frederick William the Great Elector
Frederick William the Great Elector was a key figure in the development of Brandenburg-Prussia, known for his efforts to consolidate power and strengthen the military. The video points out his role in state-building, particularly in fortifying borders and weakening representative bodies to centralize authority.
💡Enlightenment
The Enlightenment was an intellectual and philosophical movement that dominated the world of ideas in Europe during the 18th century. While not directly discussed in the script, the video ends with a teaser for the next episode, suggesting a shift in focus to this period of significant cultural and intellectual change.
Highlights

The Hapsburgs, with Romanian support, drove the Ottomans out of Eastern Europe, initiating their eastward expansion.

17th century saw significant moves by Russia and the House of Brandenburg-Prussia.

Tsar Peter the Great, a towering figure at six feet nine inches, reorganized the Russian military and nobility to centralize power.

Peter the Great's ascension involved negotiation among interest groups and public demonstrations of support.

The Russian autocracy was intertwined with public support, illustrating the complexity of government-people relationships.

Peter's reforms aimed to transform the aristocracy into a meritocracy through a table of ranks and state service.

He weakened the Russian Orthodox Church's power by establishing a Synod of laypeople overseen by the Tsar.

Peter's curiosity and fascination with Western Europe led to a journey to learn from Dutch advancements.

The Streltsy rebellion was crushed by Peter, paving the way for a modernized Russian army.

Peter's military reforms resulted in a standing army of 200,000, significantly impacting European military dynamics.

Russia's victory over Sweden in the Great Northern War expanded its territory, including Estonia and Latvia.

St. Petersburg was built as a European-style city, symbolizing Peter's westernization efforts.

Serfdom intensified under Peter's rule, with new regulations limiting serfs' rights and increasing noble control.

The House of Brandenburg-Prussia rose to power, initially landlocked but expanding under the Hohenzollern family.

Frederick William, the Great Elector, focused on military strength and state-building for Prussia's survival.

Frederick William the First, known for his military focus, sought to modernize the Prussian army.

Prussian state-building involved creating institutions and reinforcing the state's image as powerful and real.

The Enlightenment will be the focus of the next episode, promising a brighter perspective on history.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
European HistoryTsar PeterPrussiaState BuildingModernizationAbsolutismMilitary ReformEnlightenmentSerfdomHohenzollern