Russian political and social reform

Analyze the methods and degrees of success of Russian political and social reform
from the period of Peter the Great (1689–1725) through Catherine the Great
(1762–1796).

Outline:

Thesis- Peter the Great and Catherine the Great had the most considerable impact on Russia between 1689 and 1725 in making Russia a great Western European Power.

1st Paragraph

Peter the Great

Embarked on a Grand European Tour for two years

Met many important people

Got a lot of information about Western European cultures that he brought back to Russia(industrial techniques, and state administration)

Determined to modernize Russia and westernize Russia

Opposed by conservative clergy and nobles who were attached to the status quo during his attempt at a transition

Modernized Russia's military

Organized postal service

Died in 1725

2nd paragraph

Catherine I of Skavronska

Peter II of Romanov-struggled over the terms of succession

Anna Romanova

Ivan VI Romanov

Elizabeth Romanova- banned purchasing of serfs by non-nobles

Peter III Romanov- issued the Manifesto of Rights on the Nobility

3rd Paragraph

Catherine II the Great Von Anhalt-Zerbst

Founding of German colonies on the Lower Volga River

Final Secularization of church lands

Peasants are forbidden to file complaints against their landowners

She publishes satirical journals

Much more progress during her reign

After she dies, the Alexander Palace is finished

Between 1689 and 1725, Russia went through a great change. Not all at once, and definitely not one change after another, but a great change nonetheless. Russia was once a very secluded country that was fine with where they were technologically and culturally, until Peter the Great changed it all. After him came many other rulers, but the only other to make an impacting change was Catherine II the Great. Peter the Great and Catherine the Great had the most considerable impact on Russia between 1689 and 1725 in making Russia a great Western European Power.

Peter the Great came into power after his sister, Sophia was confined to a convent. Instead of settling in Moscow, he went on the Grand European Tour to understand the western cultures. He met many important people along the way, like monarchs and conducting diplomacy. Peter also received a great deal of information about the western cultures including industrial techniques and state administration that he brought back to Russia. Peter's main goal was to modernize/westernize Russia, like the other western European countries already were. He was greatly opposed by conservative clergy and some nobles because of their liking of the already normal status quo. However, this did not stop Peter. He modernized Russia's military and also organized the postal services there. He died in 1725.

The next 37 years were not very successful in westernizing Russia. Catherine I of Skavronska came and went, and nothing happened. Peter II Romanov came and struggled with the terms of succession, but nothing else happened. Anna Romanova and then Ivan IV Romanov came into power, but again, nothing. Elizabeth Romanova banned the purchasing of serfs by non-nobles, but there was no other significant changes. The last of this unsuccessful streak was Peter III Romanov, who issued the Manifesto of Rights on the Nobility.

Then, in 1762 came a new ruler, and her name was Catherine II the Great. She was, like Peter the Great, intent on modernizing Russia. Catherine was there during the founding of Russian colonies along the Lower Volga River. There was also the final secularization of the church lands. The peasants were now unable to file complaints against their landowners. Catherine published satirical journals during this time. There was much more progress during her reign, then the past 37 years. She died in 1796, and during this year, the Alexander Palace was completed.

The only two people who had a great influence on the westernizing of Russia within 1689 and 1796 were Catherine II the Great and Peter the Great. Peter brought on the idea of westernizing Russia. He found out new techniques to make the military better as well. Catherine the Great also brought this goal back, and advanced it some more with the secularization of the church lands. Peter the Great and Catherine the Great had the most considerable impact on Russia between 1689 and 1725 in making Russia a great Western European Power.

DBQ Midterm

Analyze the concerns and goals of Participants in the Pilgrimage of Grace and those who apposed the movement.

The Participants of the Pilgrimage of Grace were those who felt that the new laws, taxes, and dissolution of monasteries were wrong. They were Catholics that decided to stage protests and armed demonstrations to show how displeased they were with the new changes. The people who apposed the movement felt that these new changes were good, and that what the King was doing was a good thing. During this time, there was great controversy between the two groups, and the participants of the pilgrimage suffered for what they had done. The people of the Pilgrimage of Grace had a right to feel displeased with the problem, but the consequences of their actions was also right considering the time period this happened, because of the way they acted out against the King.

In the first document, the participants of the pilgrimage stated that the march was for their love of God and the ousting of those who do evil against He and His church. They were doing the march to prove their undying loyalty to God. Document four is a poem about how they had been doing this for their faith, and now they were left homeless without anything to own. The monks were stating that they had been removed of all of their lands, animals, and crops, and that their faith was now placed in shackles. The marcher's proclamation in document two talks about how their own country did not defend them from the misdeeds done by the Scots and the thieves stealing what they still owned, even though they felt that what they were doing was right. This seems like a good thing, defending their beliefs, until they started with the protests and armed demonstrations.

In document five, the King's Council receives a letter asking for things to go back to the way they were. They Catholics wanted the Pope back as the supreme head of the church in Rome, for heresies against their leaders to be annulled and destroyed, as well as having the households and objects that were previously owned by the Catholics to be given back to them. They wanted things to be Catholic for them again, instead of them being treated like rebels and outcasts. Document eight is written by a Catholic parish priest, while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London. He talks about how the rebellious acts demonstrated by the Pilgrimage of Grace participants could have been stopped if someone had told them it was considered treason. He also says that the demonstrations were that against the Privy Council for the King, not against him. The rebellious demonstrations were beginning to become a problem.

The armed demonstrations and staged protests had become all too big of a problem. The people against the pilgrimage started to complain too. In the ninth document, King Henry says that the rebellions that occurred could have ruined the country. He also states that even though this was a great act of treason, he would pardon them as long as they repented and made humble submissions to he, King Henry VIII. The tenth document is the statistics for the First Treason Trial of the Participants of the Pilgrimage of Grace. In total, 223 people were tried for treason, 177 were commoners. Over half of them, 144, were convicted. In percentage, 65% of the people tried were convicted of treason.

The participants definitely paid the price for their actions. They were convicted of treason, which could have been stopped if they had known what they were doing was considered treason. The people against the pilgrimage got what they wanted, which was for the participants to stop and pay for what they did. The participants obviously had the right to feel displeased. However, they did not have the right to create rebellions and problems, which in the end, caused them to pay dearly.

Outline

Thesis- The people of the Pilgrimage of Grace had a right to feel displeased with the problem, but the consequences of their actions was also right considering the time period this happened, because of the way they acted out against the King.

1st paragraph:

1st document

Explain what they mean

4th document

Explain what they mean

2nd document

Outbursts had taken it too far

2nd Paragraph

Document 5

Explain more

Document 8

Describe it

3rd Paragraph

Rebellious acts were a problem

Document 9

Document 10

Free Response Midterm #4

Describe and analyze how overseas expansion by European states affected global trade and international relations from 1600 to 1715.

Outline:

Thesis- International relations and global trade were significantly affected by what was discovered, and how popular they were back in Europe.

1^st Paragraph:

France owned Quebec

Big on furs

This was a major trade

Important, as well as significant because of different furs now being traded

2^nd Paragraph

The ownage of Brazil by Portugal

New spices

New animals

New foods to trade

New plants and trees to be used

3^rd Paragraph

Spain owning the land of the Aztecs and Mayans in Mexico

Brought over diseases and new weapons

Helped for defeating the groups

New foods: corn, tomatoes, beans

The age of exploration caused countries to become more interested in gaining power and controlling more new land. They wanted new lands for new discoveries, and to increase their trades with other countries. Global trade would increase, because of the yearn for the new foods, furs, and other things coming back over from the Americas. International relations would also become much more important, now that people wanted more of what was coming back over from the new world. International relations and global trade were significantly affected by what was discovered, and how popular they were back in Europe.

France owned Quebec in Canada. Here, there were new furs to be traded. They were a huge part of what people wanted back over in Europe. New kinds of furs would sell for a great deal of money, due to the increase in yearning for the new kinds of coats, hats, and other accessories. It was a significant discovery in the new world now that people were over there. The increase in popularity of the new furs would increase the amount of sales, and the amount of money that was being made from these new trades.

Now that Portugal owned Brazil, there would also be a great deal more of trade. Brazil was a huge country, with a great deal of landscape that was yet to be discovered. The new foods that were found were a big hit in the trade back over in Europe. People wanted to try the new foods that were being shipped over, which made the relations so important. The new animals that were found were also a huge discovery and a plus for the increase of money that was made in Portugal. There were also new spices that were discovered, which was probably one of the greatest trades that was then started up, because of the different uses for it and the new assortment of dishes that could now be served for meals.

Spain owning the Aztecs and the Mayans land in Mexico was another one. When the Spaniards brought over their technologically modern weapons and alien diseases, the people were easy to wipe out. There was not too long of a fight for either of the groups, because they were immune to their homeland's diseases, while the Mexicans were not, which caused them to become weaker, making it easier for the Spaniards to win the battles. Now that they were in control, there were new foods to be traded. These foods included corn, tomatoes, and beans. These new foods were a hit back in Europe, so they were a massive part of the trade as well.

All three examples show how important the global trade and the international relations became. Because of the new trades that were being made, they became more popular. When the thing that was being traded, like fur, became popular, there was more of a desire for it in other countries. This caused relations to become stronger between countries, and more money to be made. The more popular the trade products were, the better for the relations, amount of trade, and income for a country.

Free Response Midterm #2

Compare and contrast the religious policies of two of the following: Elizabeth I of England & Catherine de Medici of France

Outline:

Elizabeth I of England & Catherine de Medici of France

Thesis-The similarities and differences between Elizabeth and Catherine caused them both to be great female leaders of their time, having the authority over others to see that their religions were the country's.

Elizabeth- strong leader

Protestant

Changed England’s religion back to Protestant from Catholic

Openly supported Dutch in the war against Phillip II and Spain

Phillip sent Spanish Armada, but less than half made it back

Elizabeth was a force to be reckoned with

Catherine- another strong leader

Also a mother

Catholic

Kept her son Catholic, so he could make France a Catholic country

Made her a powerful force

Comparisons and Contrasts- both were strong women

Wanted to keep their religion that of the country’s

Different religions

Different levels of power and authority

In the past, religious policies were a big deal. They were important, and they could cause a war, or keep the peace. Elizabeth the I and Catherine de Medici were two very different people. They came from different families, had different upbringings, and had different religious views. The similarities and differences between Elizabeth and Catherine caused them both to be great female leaders of their time, having the authority over others to see that their religions were the country's.

When Elizabeth I came into power, the main religion was Catholicism. She had grown up a Protestant, so this obviously had to change. Because the Church of England was Protestant, the majority was already Protestant, so it was not very hard to change back. She was a very powerful leader, who argued her point to win. Elizabeth's ousting Catholicism as the country religion was a great thing, and made the people like her. It also caused her to come into conflict with Phillip II of France, who was at war against the Dutch, trying to take over their country to make the country's religion Catholic. She was afraid that he would try to take over England as well. When Phillip found out that Elizabeth openly supported the Protestant Dutch, he was infuriated, so he sent out the Spanish Armada to attack England and kill Elizabeth. However, this did not happen. The Spanish Armada lost over half of their ships, and almost all of their dignity. Elizabeth was a force to be reckoned with when it came to her country's religion.

Catherine de Medici is a different story. She was from France, and her son was going to be a great ruler. Catherine was a Catholic, and wanted it to stay that way. She raised her son as a Catholic, so that when he ruled, he would change France to a Catholic country. A mother's rule over her son is always a great thing, because once the mother knows that her son will do what she wishes for him to, she can have a greater control over the actions that take place in the country. Catherine's specific action that she wanted to take place, was the change of the French Huguenots to Catholics. Because of her control over her son's actions, Catherine was at a great power over what went on.

Both women were very powerful in their time. Elizabeth was a queen, and Catherine was the mother of a French ruler. Both wanted their religions to be the country religion. However, they were of different religions. Catherine wanted France to be a Catholic country, and Elizabeth made England a Protestant one. Their levels of authority were also different. Elizabeth was the Queen of England, while Catherine was the mother of a French king. Elizabeth had more of a direct control over everyone and everything, while Catherine controlled over only some of her son's decisions.

Both Elizabeth and Catherine were great female rulers of their time. They had the authority over others to be able to make the country they lived in their religion. This was a huge power, because of the affect it had on others. It could either lead to a civil war, or it could lead to a more peaceful country. The change from Catholic to Protestant and from Huguenot to Catholic were huge steps in the way a country ran.

DBQ: scientists

Analyze how political, religious, and social factors affected the work of scientists in the 16th and 17th centuries...

In the 16th and 17th centuries, many learned facts were governed by the Scripture. They were also governed by the government itself as well as the views of the people. Science was regarded as something that was made "true" by the people and the Scripture. It was not something that was allowed much space to change and expand in its knowledge. Science was greatly influenced by how the Scripture and God described it's discoveries, along with how the government and the people thought of the discoveries, using their opinions instead of agreeing with newly proven facts that were falsifying their previous opinions.

Religion was a huge factor when it came to science in the 16th and 17th centuries. In reality, religion was the final say in an argument about physical facts, because people did not have the technological advancements to prove that their discoveries made the Scripture's sayings wrong. John Calvin wrote "for astronomy is not only pleasant, but also very useful; it cannot be denied that this art unfolds the admirable wisdom of God." He was a religious person, and believed that astronomy was something that could prove the genius in God's work. Others like Walter Charleton and Gottfried Leibniz also described their work based on that from the Scripture and God, like how "God governs minds"(Leibniz) and "The creation and arrangement of the atoms can be connected to no other cause, but to an Infinite Wisdom and Power"(Charleton). At times, like in 1543, religion was a great thing. Pope Paul III was a lover of writing and science. Nicolaus Copernicus said "by your influence and judgement, can readily hold the slanderers from biting" to the Pope. He was stating that the Pope, with his papal command, could keep the public from regarding his scientific breakthroughs with mockery and contempt. This was a fantastic advantage for Copernicus.

In the image of the drawing to commemorate XIV's visit to the French Royal Academy, it shows how the government really had an affect on the ideas and discoveries the scientists had. Louis XIV had actually gone to the Academy to see what was being discovered and thought up there. One could sum up from the drawing that he wanted to know what was going on there, and what he could use to his advantage in battle or economical advancements. To prove this point, a letter written by Jean Baptiste Colbert talks about how the State wants to maintain its power abroad and having an "abundant wealth" by creating a flourish of the arts and sciences to keep itself happy. They had actually had to persuade the people to create more academies for the arts and sciences. The government, in a way, was selfish in wanting so many advantages, but this was also an advantage for the people, who would have more job opportunities ascertaining to those two fields of work. People could make more money and live more lavishly than they had before because of the government's yearn for more power.

The people also had a great say in what went on with the sciences. They had group opinions that could sway another group into agreeing with their opinion on the matter, when it came to the science breakthroughs. Margaret Cavendish talks about wanting to start up a school herself, but there were problems with her idea. Because of the majority of the wealthy and powerful people being men, women would have a harder time being heard.

Thesis Statements

2. The Protestant views of the church and the state power was that of disdain, due to the way the church kept power because of it's influence on the state.

3. The economic gain of Western Europe due to the Atlantic Trade expansion increased drastically, because of how many new places that were opened up to trade by sea.

4.

5.

Free Response Answer #1

Analyze the ways in which European monarchs used both the arts and the sciences to
enhance state power in the period circa 1500–1800.

During the Renaissance, artistic and scientific discoveries began to flourish. They were great for building up the economy and broadening the horizons of the people. Leonardo da Vinci, as an example, was a man of many talents, whose work deepened the intellectual mind scientifically and artistically. He was twisted in the way that he used science and dissection in his drawings and other pieces to show the world the anatomy of humans. Science and art were the major two ways to enhance state power for the monarchs due to their increase of interest and advancement over the years starting with the Renaissance.

Art was a great way of increasing the power of a state. Monarchs found that with the advancement of artistic skills and techniques, they could sell pieces of artwork, as well as speed ahead of the other states in what their artists knew and what they could do with art. This was a great knowledge, because with the changing trends of the time and the need for something different then what was already being sold, artists could sell their work throughout other states to increase profit and income for the state. Monarchs knew this was a great source of power, because they would have more economic gain, since other states were not as advanced or skilled in the artwork that people now wanted. This increased their ability to spend more on other sources of power like trade, campaigning, and adding onto their armies, which would keep other states at bay from advancing ahead of them.

Science was another great source of power gain. Because of scientific discoveries, monarchs were able to change the way they did battle and even everyday living. With scientific discoveries about metals or physics, the monarchs could change their battle strategies to use these new discoveries and take out their opponents much easier than they would've been able to pre-scientific discovery. When scientists uncovered new information, it could change the way things were done. This could help the everyday people, who would in affect thank the reigning monarch for hiring the scientist to discover a new and better way to go through their everyday life. This would create more loyalty towards the monarch which also gave he and the state more power against the other states whose people were not as loyal and willing to do what the monarch asked as that of the other state.

The scientists and artists of the day also gained instead of lost in this time. They received more money due to their new discoveries or artworks. The monarch would also be pleased with the scientists and artists because of their work that increased the state power. There would be a great favor towards the artists and scientists who had these new great discoveries or masterpieces, due to the economic and power gain. So really, everyone won in the situation that was in the state.

When the Renaissance started, art and science started their big leap forward. They helped monarchs gain power, as well as helped the people. Art created more income for the state. Science created more power for the state when it came to military advances, as well as everyday help. Science and art were key advances in the power held by the monarchs of that time period, due to their economic and military gains.