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How Western Was Russia

Satisfactory Essays

Michael Lockwood
AP Modern European History
Mr. Gutelius
10/19/2015

Michael Lockwood
AP Modern European History
Mr. Gutelius
10/19/2015
How Western was Russia The question is not is not whether Russia was a western nation, it is to how Western was Russia? This question has no set answer, it changes over time. Often times, throughout history, situations change, often times change is made in order to perfect imperfect systems. Russia is no different in this regard. Russia was less Westernized under the Mongols and the rule of the Ivan’s up through Ivan IV, but became more westernized under the rule of Peter I. Russia under the rule of the Mongols was not Western in any significant way. The Mongol ruler over Russia were by Khans, …show more content…

Initially this is shown due to the fact that under Ivan I loaned his money to the nobles to help pay taxes to the Mongol’s. If he had to assist them in paying their taxes one could infer that the taxes are very high or substantially burdensome. In Western nations the nobles had more of a say over taxation so it is less likely that they would have allowed themselves to be taxed, or at least not at such a high rate. However they could not yet ignore the Khan’s and therefore had to acknowledge his rule despite disapproval. This however changed when Ivan III came around; he deposed the Khan and installed himself as the ruler of Russia. However, one key similarity does exist as an exception to the otherwise different style of the Ivan’s rule in Russia. The Ivan’s did claim that they were ruling as a God given right as did the rulers of western nations. Lastly Ivan IV ascends to the throne at the age of sixteen. He ordered extraordinarily heinous acts. He murdered major boyars who opposed his actions, which was a major difference from the action of Western nations, although there were political implications for their actions, it did not appear that noble individuals were murdered. This appears to be a uniquely Russian …show more content…

His accession to the throne appears to be a turning point. There appears to be a very small softening of attitudes and the style of rule used in regards to governing Russia. He sought to make nobles do their duty instead of merely leaching of the labor of serfs and of the state budget. Nobles were required to work and be productive such as performing service in either the military or in the government. Additionally Peter I also known as Peter the Great tried to gain the support of his people instead of ruling through force alone. He did this by explaining the decisions he made. This does not result in a participatory government but it does seek to remove the veil of secrecy that lingered over it. This was a small step towards the style of certain Western Governments such as the United Kingdom where the monarch was constrained by parliament. Albeit explanations did not allow popular participation in government, it was progress. Progress does not come over night; it is often the product of small changes such as

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