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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:

Peter the Great and His Legacy (1682–1762): A Summary of Russian History
Russia Symbol Introduction
Russia Symbol The Early Years
Russia Symbol The Drive Toward Westernization
Russia Symbol The Drive Toward Empire
Russia Symbol The Historical Assessment
Russia Symbol Immediate Successors
Russia Symbol The Reign of "the Daughter"
Peter the Great and His Legacy (1682–1762): A Summary of World History
Europe
Eurasia


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.




















 

 


    

  Petersburg's Majesty
NYPL, Slavic and Baltic Division

Elizabeth I (r. 1741–61) overthrew the “German” regime with ease. As the daughter of Peter I and Catherine I, she won great popularity as a Romanov and a Russian, and her policies returned to her father’s reforming style; for instance, she abolished capital punishment and founded Russia’s first university in Moscow. During Elizabeth’s reign, native culture also began to come of age with pioneering efforts in history, satire, journalism, poetry, novels, and plays, all of which added to the country’s status as a civilized member of the European family of nations. In addition, Russia was proving successful in the Seven Years’ War (1756–63), fought against Prussia to regain Silesia for Russia's ally Austria, but Elizabeth died on Christmas Day in 1761 before she could enjoy the fruits of victory.

 

 

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