Peter the Great

Study Notes

Peter the Great

Peter the Great, born on May 30, 1672, in Moscow, Russia, was one of his country's greatest statesmen, organizers, and reformers. His reign lasted from 1689 to 1725. He was the son of Tsar Alexis by his second wife, Natalya Kirillovna Naryshkina. Peter was known for his interest in practical activities such as carpentry and sailing from a young age, which later influenced his reforms in the Russian Empire.

Early Life and Accession

When Tsar Alexis died in 1676, Peter was only four years old. His elder half-brother, Ivan V, then succeeded to the throne, but power fell into the hands of the Miloslavskys, who deliberately pushed Peter and the Naryshkins aside. When Ivan V died childless in 1682, Peter's faction struggled against the Miloslavskys to place Peter on the throne. Representatives of various orders in society declared for Peter, who then became tsar jointly with his half-brother Ivan. However, events led to renewed struggle for power between the two factions.

Military Reforms and Interests

Peter grew up in an open atmosphere instead of being confined within the narrow bounds of a palace. His first tutor could not satisfy his curiosity, but he enjoyed noisy outdoor games and took interest in military matters, especially carpentry, joinery, blacksmith work, and printing. He also developed a passion for seafaring and navigation due to acquaintance with foreigners in Moscow. Mathematics, fortification, and navigation were the sciences that appealed most strongly to him.

Youth and Marriage

In June 1689, Sophia Alekseyevna arranged Peter's marriage to the beautiful Eudoxia Lopukhina. It was a political act intended to demonstrate that the 17-year-old Peter was now a grown man, with a right to rule in his own name. However, the marriage did not last long, and Sophia tried to use another revolt of the streltsy to her advantage for another coup d'état.

Military Campaigns

In August 1689, after a new revolt of the streltsy, Peter and his men returned to the fortress of Azov, this time with almost double the number of men and ships. They successfully captured Azov, marking the first successful battle involving a Russian army since Tsar Alexis's reign. Later in 1698, Peter made peace with Turkey and turned his attention to Sweden, beginning the Second Northern War. He regained Ingria and Finnish Karelia, acquired Estonia and Livonia, including the ports of Narva, Revel, and Riga.

The Grand Embassy

In 1697, Peter embarked on a trip throughout Western Europe known as 'The Grand Embassy'. His purpose was to further his education and learn about the latest developments in military technology, especially shipbuilding and navigation. During this trip, he visited countries such as Sweden, Germany, Holland, England, Austria, and Poland, meeting royals, religious leaders, and politicians along the way. He met William III of England and Prince George of Denmark, among others.

Reforms in Russia

After returning from his travels, Peter implemented several reforms in Russia to modernize the country. He aimed to eliminate long beards and introduced new military regiments with a modern uniform. He established industries such as textiles, leatherwork, and weapon making to reduce reliance on international trade. He sent Russian artists to Italy and the Netherlands to study and founded institutions like the Academy of Science and the University of St. Petersburg.

The Great Northern War

After making peace with Turkey, Peter turned his attention to Sweden, marking the beginning of the Great Northern War in 1700. He regained Ingria and Finnish Karelia, acquired Estonia and Livonia, including the ports of Narva, Revel, and Riga. However, Russia faced failure on the Black Sea, losing Azov and Taganrog to the Ottoman Turks. On the Caspian, Russia occupied Dagestan, Gīlān, and Māzandarān after defeating Persia in 1722. In eastern Siberia, Russia annexed Chukchi territory and Kamchatka.

Economic and Military Developments

During Peter's reign, Russia established its first regular army recruited by conscription and had a navy consisting of ships built mostly in Russia after 1700. The cost of the army was the chief item in Russia's budget, with a deficit gradually reduced until a surplus was obtained. Financial and administrative reform went hand in hand, with the creation of central administrative departments called 'kollegii'.

Peter the Great is remembered for his significant impact on Russian history, especially through his military reforms and expansion of the empire. His visits to Western Europe and adaptations from foreign practices shaped Russia's modernization process, making him a crucial figure in the country's development.

Description

Test your knowledge on the life, reign, reforms, and military campaigns of Peter the Great, a prominent figure in Russian history. Learn about his early life, military interests, marriage, 'The Grand Embassy' trip, and the Great Northern War. Explore his impact on Russian modernization through economic, military developments, and reforms.