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

TL;DR

Russia and Prussia, led by Tsar Peter and the Hohenzollern family, respectively, undergo state-building and modernization to establish themselves as influential European powers.

Transcript

hi I'm John Green and this is crash course European history so in our last episode we saw the Hapsburgs with the help of Romanians and some others drive the Ottomans out of large swaths of Eastern Europe which started the Habsburg expansion eastward but there were some other important States making big moves during the 17th century today we're gonn... Read More

Key Insights

• 👯 The relationship between the government and the people is complex, even in absolutist governments like the Russian monarchy.
• ✊ State-building and modernization efforts require the support of external institutions and individuals in order to retain power.
• ✊ Modernization does not always result in increased protection or power for the most vulnerable in society.
• 😮 The rise of Russia and Prussia was influenced by factors such as military strength, consolidation of power, and effective state-building strategies.
• 🥰 Both nations had different impacts on the lives of their citizens, with some experiencing advancements in education and arts while others faced harsh working conditions and limited rights.
• 💪 The downfall of Poland-Lithuania can be attributed, in part, to the failure of its constitutional system compared to the stronger government institutions in Russia and Prussia.
• 🥳 Building a strong state or empire requires convincing both internal and external parties of its legitimacy and power, which can be achieved through various means such as treaties and national symbols.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Peter the Great modernize Russia?

Peter implemented various reforms, such as reorganizing the military and nobility, building a standing army, establishing schools for math and science education, and founding the city of St. Petersburg as a symbol of Westernization.

Q: What role did the Hohenzollern family play in Prussia's rise to power?

The Hohenzollerns, starting with the Great Elector Frederick William, focused on strengthening the military and consolidating power. They weakened representative bodies and allowed nobles to have greater control over the lives of peasants.

Q: How did Peter the Great's reforms impact women's roles in society?

Peter ended the veiling of women and abolished traditional attire for the aristocracy. He encouraged women to attend public events and aimed to reform women's roles in society, although his goals were not fully achieved.

Q: What were the main factors contributing to the rise of Russia and Prussia in Europe?

Both Russia and Prussia prioritized state-building and modernization efforts, which involved building strong armies and government institutions. They also used methods of consolidating power, such as granting greater control to the nobility.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Peter the Great takes steps to modernize Russia, including reorganizing the military and nobility, building a standing army, and founding schools to teach math and science.

• Peter also establishes the city of St. Petersburg as a symbol of Westernization, leading to reforms in women's roles and the end of traditional practices like wearing beards.

• In Prussia, the Hohenzollern family focuses on strengthening the military and consolidating power, leading to the creation of a strong army and the weakening of representative bodies.

• Prussia becomes known for its large army and small state, while both Russia and Prussia prove to be effective at state-building and shaping the future of Europe.