Summary of Russian History (pre 19th century) Before the 18th century, Russia was considered a part of Europe

only by courtesy . Hemmed in by Sweden (on the Baltic Sea) and the Ottoman Empire (on the Black S ea), the country had no warm water ports. Also, there was very little trade with the bordering countries. Aside from the physical separation, Russia was separated by the customs and the cultural differences that it had to the rest of the world. During the 18th century, the Russian Empire became political power. This was due to Peter I (Peter the Great) because of his accomplishments forced the West to take notice of his nation. Peter The Great When Peter I came into power in 1689, he had two basic goals for his country: Modernize his country in the western fashion. Gain warm water ports to access to the west, thus, bringing more trade, recognit ion, and respect by the other European powers. Dealing with the West Peter set out his plans by sending a grand embassy to the European powers in 169 7 to enlist their help against Turkey. He went along too, pretending to be a shi p's carpenter, and worked in English and Dutch shipyards. He studied everything from anatomy and engraving to European industrial techniques in order to gain as much information as possible. He was determined to give Russia an outlet to the sea, both on the Baltic Sea an d Caspian Sea. He brought European shipbuilders to Russia. Then in 1696, with a new fleet, he was able to capture Azov, the chief Turkish fortress on the Sea of Azov. As Captain Peter Alekseevich, he commanded from the Principium a ship bui lt by his own hand. In 1700, he felt ready to attack Sweden. With Poland and Denmark as allies, he s tarted the Great Northern War, which lasted until 1721. Peter defeated the Swede s and gained an outlet to the Baltic Sea. The Treaty of Nystad (1721) ended the war and gave Russia the prized Swedish provinces on the eastern shores of the B altic Sea. Sweden became a second-rate military power, and Poland was reduced in status. As a result of the victory, the Russian Empire was formed on October 22, 1721. O n that day Peter was acclaimed Father of the Fatherland, Peter the Great, and em peror of all the Russias, by the Russian Senate, in gratitude for victory in the war. Internal Affairs Peter was organizing and modernizing his country internally as well as externall y. He was ruthless when he ruled Russia as he was so determined for his country to be recognised. He forced his subjects to conform to his ideas, founded a navy , introduced factories, and organized a modern army. He also created a new Russi an capital, St Petersburg. In 1703, Peter began construction a fortress on territory that he had won which became the new capital city of St Petersburg and moved his imperial court there in 1712. In order to populate St Petersburg, Peter forced all upper-class Russia ns to move there. One problem was that the country had no proper means of transportation. What roa ds there were only ran east to west, and even then, they were difficult to trave rse, especially during the Russian winter.

Peter westernized his subjects by using taxation and implementing new laws. Some examples are: He put a high tax on beards and Oriental dress to force the people to adopt West ern dress. He modernized the calendar, simplified the alphabet, unified the currency, and i ntroduced universal taxation. He built Russia's first modern hospitals and medical schools. He encouraged the rise of the private industry and the expansion of trade. He forced education upon his officers and members of his court because many coul d not read. By implementing and enforcing these changes upon his subjects and gaining warm w ater ports for his navy, during his reign, Peter first achieved a sea to sea emp ire. Peter died in 1725. His work survived more than half a century of incompetent ru lers. Succession was unsteady and the male line died out under the rule of Eliza beth (ruled 1741-61). The name was kept, however, by her successor Peter III. Wh en he died, his widow, Catherine II came to throne in 1762. She took up the task of reform and was widely respected for her charm and intelligence. Catherines so n, Paul I took the throne afterwards when she died in 1796. His rule was quite s hort and he was unpopular at court. He made many wrong decisions while on the th rone and died at the beginning of the 19th century.