During the period of 1650-1815, Eastern Europe and Russia primarily experienced various forms of autocratic and absolutist governments. The key characteristics of the political systems during this time were centralized authority and limited political freedoms.
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Absolutism: Many Eastern European states, including Russia, Poland-Lithuania, and the Habsburg Monarchy, were ruled by monarchs who held absolute power. This meant that the kings and queens had the final say in governance and often sought to strengthen their authority over the nobles.
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Tsarist Autocracy in Russia: The Russian Empire was characterized by a strong autocracy under the Tsars. Notable rulers such as Peter the Great (reigned 1682-1725) and Catherine the Great (reigned 1762-1796) centralized power, reformed the military and administration, and pursued imperial expansion.
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Partitions of Poland: The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth experienced significant political decline and fragmentation during this period, ultimately leading to its partitions in the late 18th century by Russia, Prussia, and Austria. The weakening of noble power and the inability to effectively respond to external threats contributed to its dissolution.
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Varied Systems: Other regions, such as the Habsburg Empire, had a more complex system with varying degrees of regional autonomy, but central authority was still predominant, especially concerning the ruling Habsburg monarchs.
Overall, the dominant political structure in Eastern Europe and Russia during this time was characterized by centralized monarchy and absolute power, with varying degrees of influence from nobles and local authorities.