The history of Russia is diverse and interesting. Peter 1 was able to have a huge impact on her. In his reform activities, he relied on the experience of Western countries, but acted on the basis of the needs of Russia, while not having a definite system and program for reforms at all. The first Russian emperor was able to lead the country out of the "troubled" time into the progressive European world, forced to respect the power and reckon with it. Of course, he was a key figure in the formation of the state.
Politics and government
Let's consider the policy and reign of Peter 1 briefly. He was able to create all the necessary conditions for a wide acquaintance with Western civilization, and the process of abandoning the old foundations was rather painful for Russia. An important feature of the reforms was that they affected all social strata, this made the history of the reign of Peter 1 very different from the activities of his predecessors.
But in general, Peter's policy was aimed at strengthening the country, introducing it to culture. True, he often acted from a position of strength, however, he was able to create a powerful country, with an emperor at the head,having absolute unlimited power.
Before Peter the Great, Russia lagged far behind economically and technically from other countries, but conquests and transformations in all areas of life led to the strengthening, expansion of the empire's borders and its development.
The policy of Peter the Great was to overcome the crisis of traditionalism through many reforms, as a result of which the modernized Russia became one of the main participants in international political games. She actively lobbied for her interests. Her authority grew significantly, and Peter himself was considered a model of a great reformer.
He laid the foundations of Russian culture and created an effective system of government that lasted for many years.
Many experts, studying Russian history, believe that the implementation of reforms by force was unacceptable, although the opinion is not denied that otherwise the country simply could not be raised, and the emperor should be tough. Despite the reconstruction, the country did not get rid of the system of serfdom. On the contrary, the economy rested on it, a stable army consisted of peasants. This was the main contradiction in the ongoing reforms of Peter the Great, so the prerequisites for a crisis in the future appeared.
Biography
Peter 1 (1672-1725) was the youngest son in the marriage of Romanov A. M. and Naryshkina N. K. Learning the alphabet began on 1677-12-03, when he was not yet five years old. Peter 1, whose biography was full of bright events from childhood, later became a great emperor.
The prince studied very willingly, loved different stories and reading books. When the queen found out about this, she ordered to give him history books from the palace library.
In 1676, Peter 1, whose biography at that time was marked by the death of his father, remained in the upbringing of his older brother. Romanov Ivan Alekseevich was appointed heir, but because of poor he alth, ten-year-old Peter was proclaimed sovereign. The Miloslavskys did not want to accept this, and therefore the Streltsy rebellion was provoked, after which both Peter and Ivan were on the throne.
Peter lived with his mother in Izmailovo, the ancestral home of the Romanovs, or in the village of Preobrazhensky. The tsarevich never received a church and secular education, he existed on his own. Energetic, very mobile, he often played battles with his peers.
In the German Quarter, he met his first love and made many friends. The beginning of the reign of Peter 1 was marked by a riot organized by Sophia, who was trying to get rid of her brother. She did not want to give power into his hands. In 1689, the prince had to take refuge in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. The regiments and most of the court joined him, and sister Sophia was removed from the government and forcibly imprisoned in a monastery.
Peter 1 was established on the throne. From that moment on, his biography becomes even more eventful both in his personal life and in state activity. He participated in campaigns against Turkey, went as a volunteer to Europe, where he took a course in artillery sciences, studied shipbuilding in England,made many reforms in Russia. Married twice and had 14 officially recognized children.
Peter I's personal life
Lopukhina Evdokia became the first wife of the king, whom they married in 1689. The mother chose the bride for the great sovereign, and he did not feel tenderness for her, but only hostility. In 1698, she was forcibly tonsured a nun. Personal life is a separate page of the book, in which the story of Peter 1 could be described. On his way he met Marta, a Livonian beauty who was captured by the Russians, and the sovereign, seeing her in the Menshikov house, no longer wanted to part with her. After their wedding, she became Empress Catherine I.
Peter loved her very much, she bore him many children, but after learning about her betrayal, he decided not to bequeath the throne to his wife. The king had a difficult relationship with his son from his first marriage. The emperor died before leaving his will.
Hobbies of Peter I
Even as a child, the future great Tsar Peter 1 gathered "amusing" regiments from peers and launched battles. In later life, it was these well-trained regiments that became the main guard. Peter was very inquisitive by nature, and therefore he was interested in many crafts and sciences. The fleet is another passion of his, he was seriously engaged in shipbuilding. Mastered fencing, horseback riding, pyrotechnics, turning and many other sciences.
Start of reign
The beginning of the reign of Peter 1 was a dual kingdom, as he shared power with his brother Ivan. After the deposition of sister Sophia, Peter at first did notruled the state. Already at the age of 22, the young king turned his eyes to the throne, and all his hobbies began to take on real shapes for the country. His first Azov campaign was undertaken in 1695, in the spring of 1696 - the second. Then the sovereign begins to build a fleet.
Appearance of Peter I
From infancy, Peter was a rather large baby. Even as a child, he was handsome both in face and figure, and among his peers he was above all. In moments of excitement and anger, the king's face twitched nervously, and this frightened those around him. Duke Saint-Simon gave his exact description: “Tsar Peter 1 is tall, well-built, a little thin. Round face and high forehead, beautifully shaped eyebrows. The nose is a little short, but not striking, large lips, dark skin. The king has black eyes of beautiful shape, lively and very penetrating. The look is very welcoming and majestic.”
Era
The era of Peter the Great is of great interest, as this is the beginning of the growth and all-round development of Russia, turning it into a great power. Thanks to the transformations of the monarch and his activities, a system of administration and education was built over several decades, a regular army and a navy were formed. Industrial enterprises grew, handicrafts and crafts developed, and domestic and foreign trade improved. There was a constant supply of jobs to the population of the country.
Culture in Russia under Peter I
Russia changed a lot when Peter ascended the throne. The reforms he carried out had a huge impact on the country.meaning. Russia has become stronger, constantly expanding its borders. It has become a European state that other countries had to reckon with. Not only military affairs and trade were developed, but there were also cultural achievements. The New Year began to be calculated from January 1, there was a ban on beards, the first Russian newspaper and foreign books in translation were published. Career growth without education has become impossible.
Having ascended the throne, the great emperor made many changes, and the history of the reign of Peter 1 is diverse and majestic. One of the most important decrees stated that the custom of passing the throne to descendants only through the male line was abolished, and anyone could be appointed an heir at the will of the king. The decree was very unusual, and it had to be substantiated and the consent of the subjects forced to be given under oath. But death did not give him the opportunity to bring it to life.
Etiquette in the time of Peter
There were significant changes during the time of Peter the Great and in etiquette. The courtiers wore European clothes, a beard could be kept only by paying a large fine. It became fashionable to wear Western-style wigs. Women who were not previously present at palace receptions have now become obligatory guests, their education has improved, as it was believed that a girl should be able to dance, know foreign languages and play musical instruments.
Character of Peter I
The character of the monarch was controversial. Peter is quick-tempered and at the same time cold-blooded, wasteful and stingy, toughand merciful, very demanding and often condescending, rough and gentle at the same time. This is how those who knew him describe him. But at the same time, the great emperor was an integral nature, his life was completely devoted to serving the state, and it was to him that he dedicated his life.
Peter 1 was very thrifty when he spent money on personal needs, but he did not skimp on the construction of his palaces and his beloved wife. The emperor believed that the easiest way to reduce vices was to reduce his needs, and he should set an example for his subjects. Two of his hypostases are clearly visible here: one is the great and powerful emperor, whose palace in Peterhof is not inferior to Versailles, the other is a thrifty owner, setting an example of an economical life for his subjects. Avarice and prudence were evident to European residents as well.
Reforms
The beginning of the reign of Peter 1 was marked by many reforms, mainly related to military affairs, often carried out by force, did not always lead to the desired result. But after 1715 they became more systematic. They touched upon the reform from the first years of the Boyar Duma, which turned out to be ineffective in governing the country. If we consider the reign of Peter 1 briefly, we can highlight several important points. He organized the Near Office. Many boards were introduced, each responsible for its own direction (taxes, foreign policy, trade, courts, etc.). Judicial reform has undergone radical changes. The post of fiscal was introduced to control employees. Reforms affected all sideslife: military, church, financial, commercial, autocratic. Thanks to the radical restructuring of all spheres of life, Russia began to be considered a great power, which was what Peter 1 wanted.
Peter I: important years
If we consider important dates in the life and work of the monarch, then Peter 1, whose years were marked by various events, was most active at some time intervals:
- 1700: Treaty of Constantinople on peace, Northern War, near Narva - defeat of the troops.
- 1721: Industrialists are allowed to buy peasants, the establishment of the Synod, the Peace of Nystadt with Sweden, Peter's receiving the title of Great Emperor.
- 1722: The Caspian campaign and the historical annexation of the coast of this sea to Russia.
The beginning of the reign of Peter 1 was built from the very beginning on the struggle for the state. They didn't call him the Great for nothing. Dates of the reign of Peter 1: 1682-1725. Being strong-willed, resolute, talented, sparing no effort or time to achieve the goal, the king was strict with everyone, but first of all with himself. Often ruthless, but it was thanks to his vigor, determination, assertiveness and some cruelty that Russia changed dramatically, becoming a Great Power. The era of Peter 1 changed the face of the state for many centuries. And the city he founded became the capital of the empire for 300 years. And now St. Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Russia and proudly bears its name in honor of the great founder.
