Russia (Romanov dynasty)

Government: Absolute monarchy under the Tsar

Peter the Great (r. 1682-1725): Westernized Russia. Toured Europe in disguise to learn shipbuilding and technology. Built St. Petersburg as a "window to the West." Forced nobles to adopt Western dress and shave their beards. Modernized the military and government.

Catherine the Great (r. 1762-1796): Continued westernization, expanded Russian territory south to the Black Sea and west into Poland, corresponded with Enlightenment thinkers but maintained serfdom and absolutism