How Did Peter I Reform Russia
The Reforms of Peter I of Russia
Scott MacLean
2
Peter I was tsar of Russia from 1682 until 1725. He introduced significant changes in the practice and policy of nearly every aspect of the Russian state and is generally seen as having reformed Russian society. His was a practical rather than an ideological revolution though; Peter 's real contribution to Russia was the implementation of his reforms, often inspired more by practical necessity than by idealism. Such concrete action and Peter 's incorporation of contemporary European theory and practice into Russian affairs contributed in large part to Russia 's modernization and her integration into Europe 's economic and political systems.
When Peter came to power as a child, Russia …show more content…
Voltaire, 95. Klyuchevsky, 26-8.
Voltaire, 99. Cracraft, James. The Revolution of Peter the Great. (Cambridge: Harvard University Press,
2003), 33.
7 Voltaire, 101 and 103.
8 Voltaire, 107. Klyuchevsky, 62-3(?).
9 Klyuchevsky, 60-1.
4 increased recruitment, allowing peasants and serfs to serve in the Russian military for the first time. He brought in more foreign officers and developed domestic industry to provide armaments and other necessities of war for the army and navy.10
These improvements paid off: Peter was able first to cut off the invading Swedes ' supply lines at Lesnaya, and then to win a major army victory over them at Poltava. He pushed forward the advantage this gave him, expelling the Swedish forces from both Russia and Poland. In 1714 his navy all but destroyed the Swedish fleet at Hängo, establishing
Russian naval dominance on the Baltic Sea and giving Russia ownership over the valuable northern ports.11 Although the Northern War dragged on until 1721, these battles paved the way to Russian victory and gave Peter control over the war 's direction.
The requirements of an army and navy at war as well as Peter 's determination to improve Russia 's general economy prompted him to begin a process of significant
Scott MacLean
2
Peter I was tsar of Russia from 1682 until 1725. He introduced significant changes in the practice and policy of nearly every aspect of the Russian state and is generally seen as having reformed Russian society. His was a practical rather than an ideological revolution though; Peter 's real contribution to Russia was the implementation of his reforms, often inspired more by practical necessity than by idealism. Such concrete action and Peter 's incorporation of contemporary European theory and practice into Russian affairs contributed in large part to Russia 's modernization and her integration into Europe 's economic and political systems.
When Peter came to power as a child, Russia …show more content…
Voltaire, 95. Klyuchevsky, 26-8.
Voltaire, 99. Cracraft, James. The Revolution of Peter the Great. (Cambridge: Harvard University Press,
2003), 33.
7 Voltaire, 101 and 103.
8 Voltaire, 107. Klyuchevsky, 62-3(?).
9 Klyuchevsky, 60-1.
4 increased recruitment, allowing peasants and serfs to serve in the Russian military for the first time. He brought in more foreign officers and developed domestic industry to provide armaments and other necessities of war for the army and navy.10
These improvements paid off: Peter was able first to cut off the invading Swedes ' supply lines at Lesnaya, and then to win a major army victory over them at Poltava. He pushed forward the advantage this gave him, expelling the Swedish forces from both Russia and Poland. In 1714 his navy all but destroyed the Swedish fleet at Hängo, establishing
Russian naval dominance on the Baltic Sea and giving Russia ownership over the valuable northern ports.11 Although the Northern War dragged on until 1721, these battles paved the way to Russian victory and gave Peter control over the war 's direction.
The requirements of an army and navy at war as well as Peter 's determination to improve Russia 's general economy prompted him to begin a process of significant