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====Westernization====
Many historians argue that Peter initiated a cultural revolution that transformed Russia and changed it from a traditionalist and even medieval society into one that was deeply influenced by the west. Certainly, Tsar Peter was deeply influenced by the west and 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 in his foundation and this was continued by his successors. 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 critics of the Tsar 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 reforms of the Tsar did not change Russia and it remained a feudal and traditional society until the reign of Tsar Nicholas II in the 19th century.
====Conclusion====
Peter the Great is widely regarded as one of the founders of modern Russia. There are no doubts of 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 curtailed the 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 center. 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 orientated towards Europe. The Tsar was an autocrat and he created an absolute monarchy in Russia, that resulted in a society that was feudal and highly stratified.
