Of Kings and Men: Peter the Great

Peter the Great

was 9 when chosen as Czar
in early life he witnessed the massacre of his family by soldiers in Moscow
resolved to leave the capital
was over 6 ft tall (considered a giant)
had only son Alexis imprisoned and refused to attend the funeral once Alexis died

Russian Woodcut depicting the cutting of beards on Russian nobles In 1692, he moves to St Petersburg (had been built on swamp by forced peasant labor)

Early in his military career he suffered a defeat by the Swedes, which convinced him of the need to bring western advances to Russia.

disguised himself and went incognito throughout England, France, & Netherlands
brought back court system
Academy of Sciences (1725)
Russian Newspaper
brings back Italian artists, Scandinavian army officers, German engineers, Dutch shipbuilders and has all of these teach the Russians how to do the various tasks. . . eventually the Russians no longer need the outsiders
forced all to westernize with him: had guards stand outside city walls, cut off long beards, cut long coats

Ruling

Ignored the Duma (Russian Parliament)
created a large parliament based on Prussian model instead
created ministries by department and area

Laid foundation for 2 class society

all peasants are on 1 level (poll tax, conscription, forced public works)
everyone else has life of privilege

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.