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==Introduction==__NOTOC__[[File: Peter der-Grosse 1838.jpg |250px|thumbnail|left|Portrait of Peter the Great]]Peter the Great is one of the most important figures in Russian History. He was a larger -than -life figure , and he became a legend in his own lifetime. This Tsar more More than any other person , this Tsar changed the direction of Russian history , and many believe that he transformed the country and opened it up to the west. This article will discuss the background of  ==What was Russia like before Peter and to understand the Great?==Russia of his youthwas a vast and sprawling country, but it was backward and traditional. It then discusses Under the Romanov Dynasty, the main historical events of his reign country had expanded and then to outline the main reforms introduced by the Tsarhad become a vast kingdom. The work will identify the areas of Russian life that changed forever While Europe was modernizing and developing new technologies and how Peter changed his vast domainsideas, but Russia remained insular. It had few urban centers, no real infrastructure, and it will argue that despite his reforms, he did not really open-up Russia to was an agrarian society. Much of the west.==Context==Russia country was a ruled by Boyars or nobles who ruled vast and sprawling country but it was backward and traditionalestates almost as independent sovereigns. Under They regularly defied the Romanov DynastyTsar’s orders, and they competed for influence over the country had expanded and had become a vast kingdomTsars. While Europe Russia, despite being rich in resources, was modernizing and developing new technologies and ideaspoor.<ref> Bushkovitch, Russia remained insularPaul. It had few urban centresPeter the Great: The Struggle for Power, 1671–1725 (Cambridge, no real infrastructure and it was an agrarian society. Much of Cambridge Press, 2001), p 6</ref>  This was because the government of the country was ruled by Boyars or nobles who ruled vast estates almost as independent sovereignsarchaic. Much of the population were serfs, who were not legally free and effectively owned by the landowning class. They regularly defied the Tsar’s orders and they competed for influence over Russia was still very much a feudal society even as Europe was about to enter the TsarsEnlightenment. Russia despite being rich in resources The Russian Orthodox Church was poor <ref> Bushkovitchalso mighty, Pauland its Patriarch was second in power only to the Tsar. Many enemies encircled Russia. Peter the Great: The Struggle for PowerIt was menaced by many powerful enemies, 1671–1725 (Cambridgeincluding the Swedish and Ottoman Empires, Cambridge Press, 2001)who frequently threaten its territories.<ref>Bushkovitch, p 6. 134</ref>. This  ==Who was because Peter the government of the country was archaic. Much Great?==[[File: 640px-Lomonosov Poltava 1762 1764.jpg |250px|thumb|left|Mosaic of Peter the population were serfs, who were not legally free and they were effectively owned by the landowning classGreat at Poltava]]Peter was born in Moscow, Russia in, 1672. Russia He was still very much a feudal society even as Europe was about to enter the Enlightenmentthe 14th child of Tsar Alexis by his second wife. The Russian Orthodox Church was also very powerful After the death of his father, he jointly ruled with his brother Ivan V from 1682. Ivan died in 1696, and its Patriarch then Peter ruled alone. The Tsar was second in power only a giant of a man and was unpredictable and prone to the Tsarviolent outbursts. Russia Peter was encircled a curious man by many enemiesnature, it was menaced by and he wanted to make his kingdoms strong and protect them from their many powerful enemies including the Swedish and Ottoman Empires. To do this, who frequently threaten its territories <ref> Bushkovitch, phe wanted to modernize his realm. 134</ref> He also wanted to strengthen his own position regarding the local aristocracy. [[File: Peter der-Grosse 1838.jpg |200px|thumb|left|Portrait As a youth, he and his brother were dominated by the Boyars, and for the rest of his life, he distrusted them. Early in his reign, Peter the Great]]==Peter the Great==Peter was born in solidified his rule crushed a rebellion by Moscow, Russia in, 1672's soldiers who supported his half-sister. He was the 14th child of Tsar Alexis by his second wifehad her later sent to a nunnery. After Peter, in the death first years of his fatherreign, he jointly ruled with his brother Ivan had to suppress many rebellions. He remained a ruthless leader.<ref> Anisimov, Evgenii V from 1682. Ivan died in 1696 and then The Reforms of Peter ruled alonethe Great: Progress Through Violence in Russia (London, Routledge, 2015), p. The Tsar was a giant of a man and was unpredictable and prone 187</ref> This did not stop him from modernizing his country. The Tsar appointed many western advisors to violent outbursts. his court and made western dress compulsory. Peter later toured Europe, which was a curious man by nature known as the Great Embassy, and he wanted to make his kingdoms strong learned much about the west and to protect it from especially its many enemiesnew technologies. To do thisWhen he returned, he wanted was ever more determined to modernize his realmcountry. He also wanted Perhaps the main motive that drove the Tsar to strengthen transform his own position in regard realm was to the local aristocracysecure a military advantage. As a youthTsar Peter was an expansionist, and he and his brother were dominated by wanted to secure warm water ports that would improve Russia’s access to the Boyars sea. He fought wars with Sweden and for the rest of his life, he distrusted themTurkey to secure these ports. Peterseized territory in Estonia, Latvia, early in his reign to solidify his rule crushed a rebellion by soldiers in Moscow who supported his half-sister, he and Finland and land from the Ottoman Empire.  By 1710 Russia had her later sent access to a nunnerythe Baltic and the Black Sea. In the Great Northern War, the Swedish King, Charles XII, inflicted a humiliating defeat on Peter in at the first years Battle of his reign had to suppress many rebellionsNarva. The Swedish monarch, he remained who was a ruthless leader<ref> Anisimovmilitary genius, Evgenii Vdefeated Poland and Denmark. The Reforms of Peter A Swedish attempt to march on Moscow was defeated, but this did not deter the Great: Progress Through Violence in Russia (London, Routledge, 2015), pSwedes.  Charles invaded Ukraine to join up with rebellious Cossacks. 187</ref>. This did not stop him from modernizing his country. The Tsar appointed many western advisors Peter defeated the Swedish army by purposely directing their troops to his court and made western dress compulsory. Peter later toured Europethe city of Poltava during an unbearable Russian winter, this was known as the Great Embassy and there he learned much about the west surrounded them and especially its new technologiesannihilated Charles XII's army. When he returned he was ever more determined to modernize In the aftermath of his country. Perhaps the main motive that drove victory over Sweden, Peter founded a city on the Tsar to transform his realm Baltic Coast and named it Petersburg. This city was to secure a military advantage. symbol of the pivot that Russia was making under the Tsar Peter was an expansionist , and he wanted to secure warm water ports that would improve it became known as Russia’s access to the sea‘window on Europe. He fought wars with Sweden and Turkey to secure these ports’<ref> Anisimov, p. Peter seized territory in Estonia159</ref>  By this time, Latvia and Finland and land from Peter was the Ottoman Empire. By 1710 absolute ruler of Russia had access to the Baltic , and in 1721 he named himself as Emperor of All Russia, Great Father of the Black Sea. In Fatherland, and "the Great Northern War." Peter was a reformer, the Swedish Kingbut he was like previous Tsars, Charles XII inflicted and he had a humiliating defeat on Peter at the Battle of Narvareputation for being bloodthirsty and cruel. The Swedish monarch who He was even cruel to his own family. He sent his first wife to a military genius defeated Poland nunnery and had a son convicted of treason, and Denmark. A Swedish attempt to march on Moscow was defeated but this did not deter the Swedessecretly executed in 1718. Charles invaded Peter the Ukraine, Great died on February 8, 1725, without nominating an heir. He is entombed in order to join up with rebellious Cossacks. the Cathedral of Saints Peter defeated the Swedish army by purposely directing their troops to the city of Poltavaand Paul, during an unbearable Russian winter and there he surrounded them and annihilated Charles XII armylocated in St. In the aftermath of Petersburg. It is reported that when asked who should rule after his victory over Swedendeath, Peter founded a city on the Baltic Coast and named it after himself Petersburghe whispered ‘the strongest.’<ref> Masie, p. This city 214</ref> Stability was a symbol of the pivot that Russia was making under the Tsar and it only restored after many years when his daughter Elizabeth became known as Russia’s ‘window on Europe’ <ref> Anisimov, pTsarina. 159</ref>. By this time  ==Why did Peter was absolute ruler of Russia and in 1721 he named himself as Emperor of All Russia, the Great Father of give landowners more power over Serfs?==Peter's reign saw even great controls imposed on the Fatherland, and "the Greatserfs." Peter was a reformer but he was like previous Tsars gave the Boyers and he had a reputation for being bloodthirsty and cruelthe landowning class more powers over the serfs. He was even cruel to his own family. His sent his first wife to a nunnery Peter passed laws that formalized the landowners' rights about the serfs, and had as a son convicted of treason and was secretly executed in 1718result, the unfree class became ever more dependent on their masters. Peter the Great died on February 8, 1725gave estate-owners new powers, including requiring no serf to leave his master’s lands without nominating an heirtheir written permission. He is entombed in also placed new financial burdens on the Cathedral of Saints serfs.  The tax system that Peter established was very oppressive to the poor and Paul, located in in Stthe serfs. Petersburg. It is reported that when asked who should rule after his death, he whispered ‘the strongest’ <ref> MasieThe Tsar who owned extensive estates created a class of state serfs or state peasants. They had more freedoms than the average serf, pand they paid their rent and dues directly to the state. 214</ref>. Stability was only restored after many years when his daughter Elizabeth became Tsarina. ==Peter Despite his reputation as a modernizer, the Great and Tsar helped to strengthen the Serfs==Peter's reign saw even great controls imposed on the serfs. Peter gave the Boyers feudal order in his country and reinforced the landowning class more powers over institution of serfdom that had a fall into abeyance in western Europe in the serfsMiddle Ages. Peter passed laws that formalized the rights of the landowners about the serfs and as a result<ref>Anisimov, p 115</ref> <dh-ad/> ==How did Peter the unfree class became ever more dependent on their mastersGreat change the Russian Economy?==[[File: 598px-Sankt Petersburg Peter der Grosse 2005 a. Peter gave estate-owners jpg |250px|thumb|left|Statue of Peter the Great]]The Great Northern War required unprecedented economic resources, and Peter needed new powers, including a requirement that no serf could leave revenue streams to pay for his master’s lands without their written permissionreforms and wars. He also placed new The government was in a dire financial burdens on the serfsposition because of Peter’s lavish expenditure. The tax system that was established by To raise money, Peter was one that was very oppressive on monopolized the poor salt, vodka, and the serfscoal industries. The Tsar who owned extensive estates created Peter devised many ways to raise revenue, even a class of state-serfs or state-peasantstax on beards that caused an uproar among traditional Russians. They had more freedoms than the average serf and they paid their rent and dues directly  The Tsar was persuaded that he needed to the stateengage in major taxation reform. Despite his reputation as The solution was a modernizer, the Tsar helped to strengthen new poll tax that replaced all other taxes. The tax burden on the feudal order in poorer orders increased dramatically. Peter introduced many new technologies into his country and reinforced from the institution of serfdom that had fall into abeyance in western Europe in west, which helped boost the Middle Ages <ref>Anisimov, p 115</ref>economy.[[File: 640px-Lomonosov Poltava 1762 1764.jpg |200px|thumb|left|Mosaic of Peter However, the Great at Poltava]]==Economy==The Great Northern War required unprecedented economic resources country remained agrarian and private enterprise was stymied by the vast state monopolies and heavy taxation. Peter needed new revenue streams to pay for began industrialization in his reforms country when he set up state workshops in the cities and his warstowns. The government was in To boost, Russian manufacturers also pursued proto-protectionist trade policies, placing heavy tariffs on imports and trade to maintain a dire financial position because of Peter’s lavish expenditure. To raise moneyfavorable environment for Russian-made goods. As a result, Peter monopolized did not really modernize the saltRussian economy as he tightly controlled it, vodka and coal industriesthe country’s economy did not fundamentally change.<ref> Robert K. Massie, Peter devised many ways to raise revenue even a tax on beards that caused an uproar among traditional Russiansthe Great: His Life and World (London, Random House Publishing Group, 2012), p. The Tsar was persuaded that he needed 22</ref> ==Which Administrative Reforms did Peter the Great Institute?==Peter’s administrative reforms all sought to engage in major taxation reformcounter the influence of the Boyars. The solution was a new poll taxTsar hated the nobles and did not trust them, that replaced all other taxesand many were opposed to his reforms as they threatened their privileges. Peter the Great established the Table of Ranks. This was a complex system of titles and offices. The tax burden on table had twenty-four ranks. Each rank had its own level of service to the poorer orders increased dramaticallyTsar. Peter introduced many new technologies into his country from The Table of Ranks' establishment was an attack on the west Boyars' power and they helped to boost the economytransformed Russian society. However<ref> Masie, p. 113</ref> The reform abolished hereditary office holding and allowed new people to join the country remained agrarian bureaucracy and private enterprise was stymied by the vast state monopolies and heavy taxationservice.  Peter did begin established a meritocracy in the process of industrialization in his country when he set up state-workshops bureaucracy and to a lesser extent in the cities and townsmilitary. To boost Russian manufacturers also pursued proto-protectionist trade policiesA new generation of technocrats emerged that dominated Russia's civil service and who were, unlike the nobles, placing heavy tariffs on imports and trade loyal to maintain a favorable environment the Tsar. The new civil service governed Russia for Russian-made goodstwo centuries. The Communists only abolished the Table of Ranks in 1917. Peter did not really modernize also established a series of ministries for the first time based on the Russian economy as European model.  He also set up a Senate which was designed to counsel the Tsar. The Tsar was an autocrat, and he tightly controlled it gave sweeping powers to the bureaucracy and the country’s economyelite. He also ended the autonomy of the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church, and he turned the Church into a department of the state. The Tsar totally dominated the Church just as a result, he did not fundamentally change all other aspects of Russian life.<ref> Massie, p. 156</ref> Robert K. Massie, Peter > Despite his reforms, Russia remained an autocracy, and Peter was an absolute ruler. ==How did Peter the Great change the Russian Military and Navy?==The Russian army that Peter inherited was a semi-professional militia that was recruited from villages and estates. The soldiers were poorly trained and armed. Peter knew that they were not able to match the Swedes and Ottomans on the battlefield. The Tsar turned the military into a professional force.<ref> Anisimov, Evgenii V. "The Reforms of Peter the Great: Progress through coercion in Russia, trans." John T. Alexander (Armonk, NY: ME Sharpe, 1993), p. 186 </ref> He appointed western officers to his army and trained them.  Peter also established arsenals and workshops that produced modern weapons for the new army. Tsar Peter established a standing army in 1699, and he passed a law that conscripted some serfs and nobles for life. Despite his many reforms, the nobles officered many units in the new army. Peter was particularly eager to establish a new navy. Before his reign, Russia did not have a real maritime presence and was essentially landlocked. Peter imported skilled artisans and established shipyards. In doing so, the monarch created the first Russian Navy, which allowed Peter to project his military power and helped boost maritime trade. ==How Peter the Great Westernize Russia?==Many historians argue that Peter initiated a cultural revolution that transformed Russia and changed it from a traditionalist and even medieval society into one deeply influenced by the west. Certainly, Tsar Peter was deeply influenced by the West. He introduced many new ideas and technologies into his country. Many westerners came to settle in the country. Many point to the City that he founded, St Petersburg, which became a truly European city. Peter build many churches and stately buildings on his foundation, and his successors continued this. Indeed, the city was to become Russia’s cultural center. It became the home of many great Russian writers and composers.  However, Peter did not really modernize his country. He was an autocrat, and he became an absolute ruler. Some Tsar critics state that he created a police state in Russia and created a rigid and stratified society, where most of the populace were serfs.<ref> Meehan-Waters, B. "The Russian Aristocracy and the Reforms of Peter the Great." Canadian-American Slavic Studies 8, no. 2 (1974): 288-302 </ref> The Tsar reforms did not change Russia and remained a feudal and traditional society until the reign of Tsar Nicholas II in the Great: His Life and World (London, Random House Publishing Group, 2012), p. 22</ref>19th century. [[File: 1200px-Bronze Horseman and St' Isaac's cathedral 1890-1900. |200px|thumb|left| Statue of Peter the Great in St Petersburg]]

Peter the Great is widely regarded as one of the founders of modern Russia. There are no doubts of about his many and varied achievements. He defeated the Swedish Empire and turned his realm into a true Empire. Peter opened Russia to the west and he West, curtailed the nobility's power of the nobility , and he created a modern state, one that could compete with the other European countries. The Tsar also established the great city of St Petersburg , which became one of Europe’s great cultural centercenters.  However, Peter should not be a true modernizer. The Tsar turned Russia into a feudal society at a time when the rest of Europe was liberalizing. Individuals had very few rights , including members of the nobility. There was no opposition tolerated in Russia , and not even the Church had any freedom. Peter the Great did create a Russian Empire , but it was not a modern society, nor one that was or orientated towards Europe. The Tsar was an autocrat , and he created an absolute monarchy in Russia, that which resulted in a society that was feudal and highly stratifiedsociety.  ====References====<references/> <div class="portal" style='float:left; width:35%'>====Related Articles===={{#dpl:category=Russian History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=10}}</div>[[Category:Wikis]] [[Category:Russian History]] [[Category:European History]]