Peter the Great
He ruled the Tsardom of Russia and later the Russian Empire
Accomplishments
Foundation of st.petersburg
Peter acquired territory in Estonia, Latvia and Finland; and through several wars with Turkey in the south, he secured access to the Black Sea.
- Defeated the Swedish Army
Interesting Facts
- Peter the Great is credited with dragging Russia out of the medieval times to such an extent that by his death in 1725, Russia was considered a leading eastern European state.
- Russian Czar
- Best known for his extensive reforms in an attempt to establish Russia as a great nation.
Personality
- He had a unique personality
- He was one of the most simpleminded who can be read at a glance and are easily understood.
- Had serious nervous disorder due either to the memories of the bloody scenes of 1682, or to his all too frequent debaucheries, or to a combination of both, ruined his health.
Policies
- Policy of Westernization- the adoption of Western ideas, technology, and culture. Peter became the most autocratic of Europe’s absolute monarchs- he ruled with unlimited authority.
- Peter passes laws to make sure nobles had control over their lands, including the serfs on their lands
- To pay for his reforms, Peter adopted mercantilism policies, such as encouraging exports. He improved waterways and canals, developed mining and textile manufacturing, and backed new trading companies.