1708 in the history of Russia was a time of great defeats and equally glorious victories. Peter's reforms brought the country out of medieval stagnation and put it on a par with the European powers. How did he do it? Read the article to the end and you will learn about the most significant reforms of Peter the Great.
Provincial reform
After the Great Embassy, Peter decided to radically change the administrative division in Russia. Why did he carry out reforms that turned Russia into one of the leading world powers.
In the history of Russia, 1708 was marked by the provincial reform. The state was divided into 8 provinces. At the head of each was a governor, whom Peter chose independently. Thus, the whole country was under control, which prevented riots and uprisings.
The goal of the provincial reform was to abolish the old administrative division of the country and create a new European state. In addition, Peter not only strengthened the autocratic power, but also created an effective taxation apparatus.
Afterthe provincial reform, the army and navy began to be supplied with the necessary equipment in a timely manner, which contributed to the victory of the Russian Empire in the Northern War.
Prehistory of the Great Northern War
At the end of the 18th century, a conflict was brewing between the countries of the B altic basin. Sweden captured the B altic and occupied the B altic Sea. The Russian Empire, together with Denmark and Saxony, concluded the "Northern Alliance", according to which Russia pledged to start hostilities in 1700.
Main reasons for Russia's involvement in the conflict:
- access to the B altic Sea, which ensured the security of the state and economic development;
- resolving the territorial dispute over Karelia and Ingermanland.
Accession of Ingermanland
After the outbreak of the Northern War, Peter was determined to conquer the disputed Ingrian territory. By 1704, she went to the Russian Empire. And in 1706, Peter the Great developed a project on the provinces. To ascertain the practical implementation of the bill, the king introduced it for the first time in Ingermanland. Thus, the Ingrian province appeared in the decrees of 1706.
During the defeat in the Northern War in the southern regions of the country: Astrakhan, Don cities, Bashkiria, uprisings and riots break out. There were several reasons for unrest:
- long defeat in the Great Northern War;
- recruit kits;
- tax collection.
To stop the unrest, the provincial reform began. Peter the Great began to establish imperial power in the regions.
Ingria,which was located on the banks of the Neva, was limited by the Gulf of Finland, Lake Peipsi and Ladoga.
In the possessions of the first province there was a rather vast territory. It included not only Ingermanland, but also part of the Novgorod lands.
Later, the Ingermanland province was renamed St. Petersburg.
After the victory near the village of Lesnoy, the construction of the second capital, St. Petersburg, began.
Battle near the village of Lesnoy
Russia got involved in a long war without completing the reform of the army. In this regard, the Russian Empire suffered defeat after defeat for several years.
However, 1708 in the history of Russia completed a series of defeats for the Russian army. The battle near the village of Lesnoy is considered the "mother of the Poltava battle." This is the bloodiest and fiercest battle in the Northern War. Russian and Swedish soldiers fought to the last soldier.
The battle began on September 28, 1708. The Russian troops were commanded by Peter I, and the Swedish army by Karl. Levangaupt's detachment went to the aid of the enemy regiments. In order to prevent the Swedish armies from connecting, Peter gave battle at Lesnaya.
The battle took place in a small clearing near the forest. This circumstance did not allow the Swedes to completely transfer their troops and realize their numerical superiority.
The battle ended with the victory of the Russian army.
Conclusion
1708 in the history of Russia turned out to be a turning point for the state. The war continued until 1721, but during this periodRussia did not defend itself, but, on the contrary, seized new territories. Permanent defeats in the Northern War ended after the battle near the village of Lesnoy.
The events of 1708 in Russia strengthened and modernized the state. The country has become a European superpower.
Foreign and domestic policy strengthened the country and led it to victory in the Northern War and access to the Gulf of Finland. Since 1721, Russia has become the Russian Empire.
