Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Peter I the Great
(Library of Congress)
Russia's emergence as a great European power. While Peter was a fervent
believer in Westernization, many of his initial reforms were also guided by the
need to mobilize the Russian population for military success. The process of bor-
rowing from the West, already under way in previous reigns, increased enor-
mously, spurred on by the czar himself. At the same time, through a series of
reforms, Peter expanded the authority and influence of the Russian government
over its own population. The church was subordinated to the state, and the gen-
try were placed under an obligation to provide either civilian or military service.
Like Ivan the Terrible, Peter has been accused of murdering his own son,
Alexis, whom he believed to be guilty of conspiring against him and the state.
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