Russian Russian Society Society

and and CultureCulture

1450-1750 Lesson 61450-1750 Lesson 6

Main Ideas:Main Ideas:• ““The Time Warp”: Mongol rule in The Time Warp”: Mongol rule in

Russia led to social & cultural Russia led to social & cultural retardation—Russia in 1500 is identical retardation—Russia in 1500 is identical to Russia in 1200to Russia in 1200

• Ivan IV & the Romanov dynasty Ivan IV & the Romanov dynasty established autocratic rule with the established autocratic rule with the boyars & the Orthodoxy in supportboyars & the Orthodoxy in support

• Russian society relied on coercive Russian society relied on coercive labor to provide for its needslabor to provide for its needs

Geographic IssuesGeographic Issues• Vast territoryVast territory• Extreme environmental challengesExtreme environmental challenges• No natural barriers = No natural barriers = constantconstant

invasioninvasion

The Nature of the The Nature of the Russian AutocracyRussian Autocracy

• Czar vs. Czar vs. boyarsboyars::– boyarsboyars in control until in control until

Ivan IVIvan IV– Ivan III: Orthodox Church Ivan III: Orthodox Church

is the key—they control the is the key—they control the people!people!

– Aristocracy concedes to Aristocracy concedes to Czar in theory, but often Czar in theory, but often have him “removed”have him “removed”

Russian SerfdomRussian Serfdom• Carried over from pre-Carried over from pre-

Mongol ruleMongol rule• Russia & the West:Russia & the West:

– Europe, 1450-1750:Europe, 1450-1750: rapid rapid pop. growth & urbanizationpop. growth & urbanization

– Russia:Russia: economically economically behind, sticks to agriculturebehind, sticks to agriculture

– Russian food imports to W. Russian food imports to W. Europe>>solidifies ag. Europe>>solidifies ag. econ. and thus, serfdomecon. and thus, serfdom

Russian SerfdomRussian Serfdom• 1400-1800: half of pop. 1400-1800: half of pop.

enserfed to enserfed to boyarsboyars, , another 40% owes some another 40% owes some allegiance to stateallegiance to state

• Similarities to Western Similarities to Western Serfdom:Serfdom:– worked manor-like estatesworked manor-like estates

– could form village govts.could form village govts.

Russian SerfdomRussian Serfdom• Contrasts to Western Contrasts to Western

Serfdom:Serfdom:– could be bought and soldcould be bought and sold

– no legal protection against no legal protection against abuseabuse

– Law Code of 1649—Law Code of 1649—abolished freedom for abolished freedom for runawaysrunaways

Russian Serfdom vs. Latin Russian Serfdom vs. Latin American LaborAmerican Labor

• Comparisons:Comparisons:– used for large-scale estate used for large-scale estate

agriculture or miningagriculture or mining– can be exchanged freelycan be exchanged freely– Obrok:Obrok: similar to Spanish similar to Spanish

mitamita system – labor system – labor obligation (owed labor to obligation (owed labor to landlords or govt)landlords or govt)

– subject to abuse at owners’ subject to abuse at owners’ whimwhim

Russian Serfdom vs. Latin Russian Serfdom vs. Latin American LaborAmerican Labor

• Contrasts:Contrasts:– have some legal status have some legal status

(taxes)(taxes)– typically aren’t worked to typically aren’t worked to

deathdeath– can organize as a can organize as a

communitycommunity– enslaved by other Russians!enslaved by other Russians!

Russia at 1750Russia at 1750• Legitimate world powerLegitimate world power

– large pop., strong ag. large pop., strong ag. producer, large militaryproducer, large military

• Developmentally behind Developmentally behind Europe (and not sure they Europe (and not sure they want to catch up)want to catch up)

• Are we Western or Eastern?Are we Western or Eastern?