In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Russia differed from Western Europe in several key aspects:
Political System: While Western Europe was dominated by constitutional monarchies and parliamentary systems, Russia had an autocratic political system under the rule of the tsars. The Russian tsars had absolute power and were not accountable to a parliament or elected representatives.
Religion: Western Europe experienced the Reformation and subsequent religious conflicts between Protestants and Catholics. In contrast, Russia adhered to Eastern Orthodoxy and did not undergo a religious reformation. The Russian Orthodox Church played a central role in Russian society and was closely tied to the state.
Economic Development: Western Europe was undergoing significant economic growth and the emergence of capitalism during this period. In contrast, Russia's economy was largely agrarian, with serfdom being a prevalent system. Industrialization and urbanization were less developed in Russia compared to Western Europe.
Cultural and Intellectual Influence: Western Europe was the center of the Renaissance, Enlightenment, and Scientific Revolution during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Intellectual and cultural movements, such as humanism and the Enlightenment, had a profound impact on Western European society. Russia, on the other hand, was influenced by its own unique cultural and religious traditions, and its intellectual developments were more closely tied to its autocratic political system.
Geographic Expansion: Russia expanded its territory significantly during this period, particularly under the reign of Peter the Great. The expansion of the Russian Empire eastward and into Central Asia distinguished it from Western European nations, which were primarily focused on overseas colonization and exploration.
Overall, the political, religious, economic, intellectual, and geographical differences set Russia apart from Western Europe during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.