Lecture Notes: Imperial Expansion in Russia and China

Introduction

• Focus on comparing imperial expansion in Russia and China during the late agrarian early modern period.
• Historical context of political systems and transitions in both regions.

Russian Expansion

Before the Russian Empire

• Political system of principalities led by princes in the post-classical period.
• Mongol influence led to the power shift to the Grand Prince of Moscow.

Formation of the Russian Empire

• Ivan the Great
  • Unified Russian principalities and expelled Mongols.
  • Used ties to Orthodox Church and took the title of Czar, linking to Byzantium and Rome.
• Ivan the Terrible
  • Consolidated power into an autocracy, akin to an absolute monarchy.
  • Conflict with boyars (wealthy landowners) leading to increased taxes and emerging serfdom.

Expansion Motives and Methods

• Eastward Expansion
  • First Wave: Into Central Asia for security from pastoral nomads; used some gunpowder technology and settlers.
  • Second Wave: Into Siberia for fur trade and market expansion; used military force and Cossack settlers.
• Westward Expansion
  • Peter the Great: Westernization of Russia; emphasis on maritime ports and gunpowder usage.
  • Catherine the Great: Continued western expansion and ruled as an 'enlightened despot'.

Effects of Expansion

• Russification: Spread of Russian language, culture, and Orthodox Christianity.
• Introduction of new crops like potatoes aiding settlement.
• Systematic cultural assimilation efforts despite ethnic diversity.

Chinese Expansion

Ming Dynasty Background

• Attempted to remove Mongol influence, restored Confucian system.
• Built the Forbidden City for security in Beijing.
• Limited European contact and trade.

Transition to Qing Dynasty

• Manchu invasion led to the establishment of the Qing dynasty.
• Maintained traditional Chinese governance with neo-Confucian elements.
• Continued to enforce the 'single whip' tax policy (taxes paid in silver).

Imperial Expansion under Qing Dynasty

• Motive: Security from Central Asian pastoral nomads.
• Method: Military conquest without extensive use of gunpowder; relied on local leaders and warriors.
• Bureau of Colonial Affairs: Centralized control from Beijing; local leaders kept in place with conditions.

Effects of Expansion

• Multi-ethnic empire but discouraged assimilation (unlike Russia).
• Central Asians sandwiched between expanding Russian and Qing empires.
• Qing policy discouraged settlement and cultural integration.

Conclusion

• Both empires expanded significantly during this period, but with differing strategies and impacts on local populations.
• Russian empire focused on assimilation, while Qing China maintained separation between ethnic groups.
• Overall impact on regional dynamics and the societies within these empires.

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Note: Remember to explore the parallels and contrasts between Russification and Qing China's separation policy. Consider how the introduction of European ideas and goods affected these empires differently.