Peter the Great died on February 8, 1725. This article will help us to remember his contributions and great achievements for his homeland. Even before he became ruler, his limitless curiosity was a great asset. Nikita Zotov, his tutor, was never able to satisfy Peter’s endless curiosity. Because of this, Peter became a leader with a wide range of knowledge, such as math, navigation, fortifications military, carpentry work, blacksmithing, printing and more. He also understood the commoners because he had worked at a carpentry shop, blacksmith, and printing. When he was 17 years old, he began his great reign by putting down the streltsy rebellion. Sophia used this revolt to her benefit and attempted a coup. Peter stopped the rebellion and also banished Sophia to a convent in Novodevichy.
Peter’s reforms in the areas of national economy, trade, and military development were very successful. This was achieved by a series of brilliant and great reforms. The townspeople in the provinces were freed from the control of military governors, and allowed to choose their own leaders. The townspeople also were divided in regulars (employed labourers) and commoners. This reform increased economic activity in towns and increased population. He also made changes to the central state government. He dissolved the boyars council and made it the supreme body of the state. Military discipline was extended into civil institutions. All of these government reforms made it more effective and efficient. The changes he brought to the army were that he created a regular army instead of streltsy, by recruiting peasants, townspeople, and selecting officers from the nobility. He also replaced old weapons with newer and better ones. He did it so that Russia could be more easily controlled.
Peter did many things to improve our industry, not just the reforms he made and the things he did. Peter made use of The Grand Embassy in order to gain advanced industrial technology and invested a large amount of money into the industry. This improved our industry and made us the leaders in Europe’s metallurgical sector. Peter’s educational and cultural measures made him a great man. He modernized calendars and alphabets, sponsored education, allowed us study abroad, promoted translation of books in Western European languages. This helped us become a better educated and modernized nation.
Peter The Great also grew up in a war-torn Russia. Peter won numerous wars and expanded Russia. In his first campaign, he defeated Azov. The Northern War, his second war, lasted twenty-one years. Peter’s diplomacy, diplomatic abilities, statemanship, willpower and generalship shone through in this conflict. Peter’s genius and strategic thinking helped us win the battles of Poltava in five years and Narva four years later. Peter’s genius and strategic thinking allowed us to win the war. We ceded the eastern coasts of the Baltic, Sweden was made weaker, and we were able to take over Poland. Peter was also quick to put down the revolts of certain people. He also won a battle with the Turks. Peter went to Persia for help after the war. They gave us land because Peter’s army was so strong.
Peter is remembered forever as Peter the great. Peter the Great, a man of such influence, should be remembered!
