Peter I or Peter the Great, 1672—1725, czar of Russia (1682—1725), major figure in the development of imperial Russia.
Early Life
Peter was the youngest child of Czar Alexis, by Alexis's second wife, Natalya Naryshkin. From Alexis's first marriage (with Maria Miloslavsky) were born Feodor III, Sophia Alekseyevna, and the semi-imbecile Ivan. On Feodor III's death (1682), a struggle broke out for the succession between the Naryshkin and Miloslavsky factions. The Naryshkins at first succeeded in setting Ivan aside in favor of 10-year-old Peter. Shortly afterward, however, the Miloslavsky party incited the streltsi (semimilitary formations in Moscow) to rebellion. In the bloody disorder that followed, Peter witnessed the murders of many of his supporters. As a result of the rebellion Ivan, as Ivan V, was made (1682) joint czar with Peter, under the regency of Sophia Alekseyevna.
A virtual exile, Peter spent most of his childhood in a suburb of Moscow, surrounded by playmates drawn both from the nobility and from the roughest social elements. His talent for leadership soon became apparent when he organized military games that became regular maneuvers in siegecraft. In addition, Peter began to experiment with shipbuilding on Lake Pereyaslavl (now Lake Pleshcheyevo). Peter learned the rudiments of Western military science from the European soldiers and adventurers who lived in a foreign settlement near Moscow. His most influential foreign friends, Patrick Gordon of Scotland, François Lefort of Geneva, and Franz Timmermann of Holland, came from this colony. In 1689, Sophia Alekseyevna attempted a coup against Peter; this time, however, aided by the loyal part of the streltsi, he overthrew the regent. For several years, until Peter assumed personal rule, the Naryshkins ran the government. Ivan V, whose death in 1696 left Peter sole czar, took no part in the government.
Personality and Achievements
Peter's personal traits ranged from bestial cruelty and vice to the most selfless devotion to Russia; his order to his troops at Poltava read, "Remember that you are fighting not for Peter but for the state." Despite the convulsive fits that plagued him, he had a bearlike constitution, was of gigantic stature, and possessed herculean physical prowess. He drank himself into stupors and indulged in all conceivable vices but could rouse himself at a moment's notice, and he was willing to undergo all the physical exertions and privations that he exacted from his subjects.
Peter subordinated the lives and liberties of his subjects to his own conception of the welfare of the state. Like many of his successors, he concluded that ruthless reform was necessary to overcome Russia's backwardness. Peter remains one of the most controversial figures in Russian history. Those who regard Russia as essentially European praise him for his policy of Westernization, and others who consider Russia a unique civilization attack him for turning Russia from its special path of development. Those impressed by imperial expansion and state and social reforms tend to regard Peter's arbitrary and brutal methods as necessary, while others appalled by his disregard of human life conclude that the cost outweighed any gains.
hope these will help u..
thanks!
2007-10-04 22:09:50
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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He completely transformed Russia!
Some of his more significant reforms were:
* The Table of Ranks- before Peter came along the social hierarchy was determined by birth.Peter changed that and connected elevation in the social order with service to the state in some way, usually through the military or through the bureaucracy. People from the 'old' families were still most likely to be at the top of the social order, but it meant that other people with talent were able to climb the ladder through promotion.
* The Navy- before Peter Russia had no Navy. Only a land army. Peter was greatly influenced by technological advances in Western Europe. He brought in experts from outside Russia to build a ships and to teach Russian the finer points of war at sea. By the time he was finished the Russian Navy rivalled England for dominance of the high seas.
* The annexation of the Baltic States, including part of Finland, following the successful war with Sweden. This allowed for the creation of the new capital- St Petersburg.
*He also outlawed many traditional 'Russian' practices and insisted that people behave 'more European'. This included forcing the men to shave their beards, making people wear Western clothes and insisting that women enter society at balls, parties etc.
2007-10-04 14:30:57
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answer #2
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answered by JLL1976 3
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Well, he tried to modernize Russia. He killed many people, including his son. He defeated the Swedish and seized the coast, building the city of Saint Petersburg and making it Russia's capital. It is said that 200,000 workers died during the building of the city.
In England, Peter saw a machine that killed people by crushing their bones. He asked to see it working, but when he was told that there was no one sentenced to die in it, Peter got impatient and said to bring one of his servants to make it work
2007-10-06 09:10:28
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answer #3
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answered by Der Schreckliche 4
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Modernized Russia.
2007-10-04 14:15:50
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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He initiated the building of St. Petersburg and helped to modernise Russia by introducing industry from western Europe
2007-10-04 18:47:56
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answer #5
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answered by brainstorm 7
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Wide spread reform of Russia in almost every way, effectively making modern Tsarist Russia.
2007-10-04 14:19:56
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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extraordinarily plenty each and every of the Beatles albums. The bass by way of McCartney became an extremely dominate tool. BQ - Paul McCartney or John Entwistle BQ2 - "Come jointly" - The Beatles "Paperback author" - The Beatles "Roundabout" - definite "Heartbreaker" - Led Zeppelin "Whipping positioned up" - The Allman Brothers Band
2016-12-14 07:52:15
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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Cuase he opened russia to out side thought and modernisation. Like building navy
Read about it here
2007-10-04 14:23:10
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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