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Russia Engages the World, 1453-1825
1453 Through the Reign of Ivan the Terrible (1533-1584) The Time of Troubles to the First Romanovs (1598-1682) Peter the Great and His Legacy (1682-1762) The Age of Catherine the Great (1762-1801) The Reign of Emperor Alexander I (1801-1825)

                                     

Explore this Section:

  Russia Events
Russia Symbol Revolt of the Musketeers (Strel’tsy)
Engagement Symbol The Battle of Poltava—Peter's Decisive Battle
Russia Symbol The Creation of the Holy Synod
Russia Symbol The Bironovshchina, Empress Anna's Reign of Terror
Engagement Symbol The Seven Years’ War (1756–63)
  World Events
World Symbol
 The Spread of Free Masonry
World Symbol
 Publication of the Encyclopédie
World Symbol
 The Treaty of Paris
World Symbol
 The Ottomans Defeated in Central Europe


Russia's Globalization:
A Key

Events marked Russia Symbol are specific to Muscovy/Russia's internal development.
Those marked World Symbol are important world historical or cultural events.
Engagement Symbol indicates specific points of sociocultural or military engagement between Muscovy/Russia and foreign powers or individuals.




















 

 

    

As the result of a realignment of European powers, Russia sided with France, Austria, Sweden, and Saxony to offset the growing influence and expansion of Prussia under the leadership of Frederick the Great, allied with Great Britain and Hanover. In 1756, the allies declared war on Prussia. Close to 300,000 Russian soldiers fought in the conflict, scoring impressive victories against the Prussians—even holding Berlin for a time. Prussia was about to collapse when Empress Elizabeth (r. 1741–61) suddenly died, and the crown went to her nephew, Peter III (r. 1761–62), who was an ardent admirer of the great Frederick. The new emperor pulled Russia out of the war, sparing the Prussian king and his realm.