Peter I the Great of Russia
Russia's Beardless Reformation
Accomplishments:
Expand Russian territory, gained ports of the Baltic Sea, created powerful military, first Russian navy, ended Russia's isolation.
Westernization
Adoption of western ideas, technology and culture.
Improved western technology, improved education, and simplified Russian alphabets.
Nobles
Made nobles boyars to serve the state in civilian or military jobs.
Made them shave their beards, and made them get rid of their fancy clothes, to replace them with western clothes.
Peasants / Surfs
Peasants took care of the boyars land. Forced surfs to become soldiers to work on roads, canals, and other government projects.
Beard Tax
Taxed for bathing, fishing, beekeeping, and having beards.
Peter the Great
All institutions under his control including the Orthodox Church. Adopted mercantilism policies to pay for the reformations. He became the most autocratic of Europe's absolute monarchs.
Reformations
Improved water-ways, developed mining and textile manufacturing, and backed new trading companies.
Goals
Strengthen military, expand Russian borders, centralize royal power, strengthen anti-Turkish coalition, westernize Russia.