How Eastern Europe's Empires Rose and Fell

CrashCourse

This educational video from Crash Course European History explores the political and social development of Eastern Europe during the 17th century, specifically focusing on the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Ottoman Empire, and Tsarist Russia. Host John Green contrasts the different styles of governance that emerged in these regions: the decentralized, consensus-based constitutionalism of Poland-Lithuania versus the centralized, absolutist approaches of the Ottoman Sultans and Russian Tsars. The video delves into key historical themes such as religious toleration, the expansion of empires, and the consolidation of state power. It highlights how the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth offered a unique model of religious pluralism and limited royal power, while the Ottoman Empire built a stable, long-lasting state through a complex bureaucracy and the Janissary system. Simultaneously, it traces the rise of Russia under Ivan the Terrible and the Romanovs, examining how autocracy and serfdom became entrenched in Russian society. For educators, this resource provides a critical counter-narrative to Western-centric history by centering Eastern European powers. It effectively explains complex geopolitical shifts, such as the struggle for control over Ukraine and the expansion into Siberia. The video is an excellent tool for teaching AP European History students about the varieties of state-building, the consequences of political instability (like Russia's Time of Troubles), and the diverse religious landscapes of early modern Europe.