Question

Which is an example of absolutism under Peter the Great?

A.) the time of troubles
B.) defeating the Mongols
C.) reorganization of the Russian Orthodox Church
D.) the Inquisition

Answer 1

The correct answer is C: Reorganization of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Peter the Great was determined to reform the domestic structure of Russia.

While his military reforms were ongoing, he reformed the church, education and areas of Russia's economy.

One of the bastions to change from Peter's point of view was the Church. In bygone years it had been semi-autonomous. For someone who believed in royal absolutism this was unacceptable. The subordination of the church within Russia was completed without a problem.

Here are some reasons to explain Peter's interest in the church:

• It was a very rich institution and Peter wanted its wealth
• It refused to be modernised.
• It owned vast amounts of lands and serfs and could be seen to be a rival to the tsar.

Answer 2

An example of absolutism is statement “C”. Absolutism means holding absolute power. In this case, it refers to the holding of absolute power over a Nation. Reorganizing the Russian Orthodox Church without following settled laws or having consent is a representative example of absolutism carried out by a king, in this case, the Russian King Peter the Great who ruled during the XVII century.

During that century, the traditional leader of the Church was the Patriarch of Moscow. When the office fell vacant, the King or Tsar, Peter refused to replace it since he could not tolerate that the Patriarch had in some duties, more power than him. After that, he designed different changes to keep the Church under tight governmental control.