Chapter 13, Student Web Activities, Our World Today, Glencoe, 2003

Chapter 13: Russia and Its Neighbors
"St. Petersburg"

Introduction
In this chapter you learned about Russia and its neighboring countries. During the 1700s, Czars Peter I and Catherine II tried to modernize Russia and make it more like Europe. Peter built a new capital of Russia—St. Petersburg—in the early 1700s, designed like a European city with its elegant palaces, public squares, and canals. In this activity, you will learn more about the founding of St. Petersburg and its advancements under the reigns of Russia's great czars.

Destination Title: History of St. Petersburg

Note: Clicking on the link above will launch a new browser window.
Need help using your browser for this activity? Click here for tips.

Directions
Start at the History of St. Petersburg Web site.

Click on and explore the first six topics listed: Introduction, Pre-history of St. Petersburg, When and how was St. Petersburg founded?, The St. Petersburg of Peter the Great, Elizabethan St. Petersburg and The "Grand City" of Catherine the Great.
You will need to use the "Back" arrow to return to the main menu after reading each topic, or click where it says "Next" at the end of each page.
Use the information presented to answer the following questions.

1. Why did Peter the Great start the Northern War with Sweden in the early 1700s?

2. Why is St. Petersburg called the "Venice of the North"?

3. Describe St. Petersburg during the reign of Elizabeth, daughter of Peter the Great.

4. How did Catherine the Great come to power in Russia?

5. There are many famous museums, palaces, churches, and monuments in St. Petersburg. Choose one of St. Petersburg's famous sites, and create a 2-minute speech to present to your class. Detail the history of the site and its attractions for sightseers, and use pictures or other media to strengthen your presentation.