He is regarded as one of the most outstanding emperors in the world, honored by the Russian people as the greatest historical figure of their nation (surpassing even Stalin and Lenin).
Few are aware that in the history of Russia, there is a figure who is esteemed even more than Lenin and Stalin: Peter the Great, who is often compared to Emperor Julius Caesar for his remarkable reforms throughout Russian history.
It can be said that to have a strong Russia as it is today, no one can deny the tremendous contributions made by this emperor.
Peter the Great – The Outstanding Reformer of Russia
The majestic Emperor Peter.
Peter (born June 10, 1672, in Moscow – died February 8, 1725, in Saint Petersburg) was the Tsar of old Russia and later the Emperor of the Russian Empire (from 1721).
He was the son of Tsar Alexei I’s second wife, while Fyodor was the son of the previous queen, and thus became king at the age of 15. However, Fyodor was weak and indecisive, lacking the qualities of a ruler.
As a result, the Boyar Duma council of the Russian nobility supported Peter to become king, but Princess Sophia (his half-sister) disagreed and organized a rebellion for power, becoming the most powerful figure at that time.
From then on, Sophia co-held power with her weak brother Fyodor. At just over 10 years old, Peter moved away from the capital Moscow to the countryside, where he grew up peacefully, enjoying mock battle games with friends.
Before, Russia was a backward country. (Image from the Internet).
Later on, he established the Preobrazhensky Regiment with the participation of childhood friends. Additionally, an elderly Dutch merchant named Franz Timmerman (who later became an advisor) taught Peter mathematics, geometry, and how to calculate ballistics…
Subsequently, Tsar Peter learned shipbuilding on the shores of Lake Plescheev. His passion for ships led him to travel to learn advancements from the West.
As for his sister, despite holding power, she was always worried about Peter and sought ways to harm him to become queen. Sophia lost credibility, while Peter gained support from the military and the nobility.
In 1689, Peter overthrew Sophia and officially ascended to the throne (also co-ruling with Fyodor, but in reality, power was solely in Peter’s hands).
In 1693 and 1694, Peter traveled to Arkhangelsk to observe the operations of a port and learn to navigate ships. After that, he ordered the first ship and began building ships for the Russian Navy.
The Western War. (Image from the Internet).
Recognizing the importance of maritime power, he became increasingly determined to learn from the West and focused on building seaports.
In 1696, Peter the Great became the sole Tsar, the supreme ruler of Russia when his brother died.
During 1697 – 1698, he traveled around Western Europe, learning new things there and bringing them back to Russia.
He implemented economic reforms, established a governance system (creating a parliamentary institution), and founded the Navy, helping Russia become a powerful empire in the world at that time.
Recognizing the limitations of not having coastline access to Western countries, he waged wars against the formidable Ottoman Empire.
“A day of travel brings a basket of knowledge.”
He learned shipbuilding experiences and brought them back home. (Image from the Internet).
After expanding the borders to the sea, Peter the Great formed a “anti-Ottoman alliance” with several Western countries to confront the Ottoman Empire and learn from Europeans.
In the places he visited, he connected with many scientists, artists, shipbuilders… With his thirst for knowledge, he applied what he learned to help his country transform.
He undertook comprehensive reforms, making Russia a significant force that influenced the very nations he learned from.
To expand and strengthen power, he declared war on Sweden. The conflict lasted 20 years, involving many Western countries.
He established seaports and shipyards. (Image from the Internet).
Historians later referred to this as the “Great Northern War”. Initially, Peter faced defeats, but this only made the young king recognize his weaknesses and quickly rectify them, leading Russia to defeat Sweden.
The Swedish king, Charles XII, after losing the battle, fled to the Ottomans and drew this empire into the war. In 1710, the Ottomans declared war on Tsarist Russia. Just a year later, Russia faced defeat and had to cede some captured territories.
In 1714, the Great Northern War resumed as Russia and Sweden faced off once more. Despite support from England, Sweden could not defeat Russia and was forced to sign a treaty ceding land.
Throughout the 21 years of war with Sweden, Tsar Peter also sent envoys to persuade Central Asian and Indian countries to submit.
Comprehensive Reforms of the Nation
The process of comprehensive reforms changed Russia. (Image from the Internet).
Domestically, he implemented reforms, changing outdated habits of Russians, such as cutting off traditional long beards and banning the wearing of baggy clothes.
Industries related to weapons, such as metallurgy and shipbuilding, received special attention. Peter the Great enforced a protective tariff policy and promoted exports.
He ordered the digging of canals and the building of ports, focusing on the military, weaponry, establishing schools, sending students to study in Western Europe, allowing civilians to receive education, and translating foreign books into Russian.
Peter the Great established the first Russian navy. (Image from the Internet).
Many significant achievements were made during Peter the Great’s reign, such as sailing ships that could sail against the wind. He also established the first surgical hospital in Moscow with operating rooms. Every city had pharmacies.
Peter I built museums, printing houses, libraries, and the first theaters in Russia. In 1703, the first newspaper in Russia was published, named Vedomosti; the old calendar was replaced with the European calendar.
In 1721, 30 cartographers received orders from the emperor to draw a map of Russia. In 1724, before his death, he was still dedicated to establishing the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Administratively, he abolished the cumbersome state apparatus, favored talented individuals, reorganized the administrative machinery and officials. He enacted laws benefiting civilians and women, reducing the status of the nobility.
In 1725, he began constructing the Summer Palace at Peterhof, dubbed the “Versailles of Russia.”
The Great Emperor Passes Away
Statue of Peter the Great. (Image from the Internet).
In the winter of 1724, a warship returning from Kronstadt to the capital Saint Petersburg ran aground in the Gulf of Finland. To save the ship, he and the crew jumped into the icy waters.
Later, although the ship and crew were safely returned, Peter caught a cold, and his condition worsened, leading to his death a year later at the age of 53.
How Posterity Views Him
History has bestowed many praises upon Peter the Great. Perhaps the foremost commendation is his strategic vision, followed by his awareness and determination to oppose the conservative government of his time.
He established the navy and merchant fleet from scratch: with no ships, no shipbuilding technology, and no one knowing how to navigate.
Together with Empress Catherine II, he is one of the two leaders most highly regarded by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin in the history of the country. He is compared to Roman Emperor Julius Caesar because both achieved great victories for their nations.
He is honored as the “Emperor of the East” or “Emperor of All Russia,” “Father of the Nation”… a figure credited with transforming backward Russia into a global power.
