Peter the great russia biography

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Who Was Peter the Great?

Peter the Great was a Russian czar in the late 17th century who is best known for his extensive reforms in an attempt to establish Russia as a great nation. He created a strong navy, reorganized his army according to Western standards, secularized schools, administered greater control over the reactionary Orthodox Church and introduced new administrative and territorial divisions of the country.

Early Rule

Peter the Great was born Pyotr Alekseyevich on June 9, , in Moscow, Russia. Peter the Great was the 14th child of Czar Alexis by his second wife, Natalya Kirillovna Naryshkina. Having ruled jointly with his brother Ivan V from , when Ivan died in , Peter was officially declared Sovereign of all Russia. Peter inherited a nation that was severely underdeveloped compared to the culturally prosperous europeisk countries. While the Renaissance and the Reformation swept through europe, Russia rejected westernization and remained isolat

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Peter the Great&#;s visit to England

Peter was the first tsar to leave Russia for more than years.

He hoped to investigate and learn about all types of technology and science, especially the latest on shipbuilding and navigation. He also wanted to study the way fleets were organised, and recruit specialists to travel home with him to help build a Russian navy.

King William III of England meanwhile wanted to increase trade with Russia, which had plenty of pitch, potash, tallow, leather, grain and furs to trade.

In Peter stayed at a house in Deptford belonging to the writer and diarist, John Evelyn. The house suited Peter because it was close to the dockyards, where he could easily visit ships being built. He was especially keen to study the drawing of ship plans.

Peter was also given free tillgång to all naval and military bases, including the arsenal and gun foundry at Woolwich. He was also invited to review the naval fleet at Portsmouth.

Peter was interested in astronomy

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Peter I, the Great

Born: Moscow - 30 May (9 June)
Died: St. Petersburg - 28 January (8 February)

Reigned: ( as co-regent with his half-brother Ivan)

Peter the Great's significance in Russian history is difficult to overestimate. Books about the "Tsar Reformer" continue to be written to this day, and we will hardly be able to describe here all of his many accomplishments and achievements. Peter the Great (whom the Russians generally call Peter I - Pyotr Pervy) is beloved in Russia, and all the more so in St. Petersburg, where he is rightfully lauded as the Founder of the City, and honored with numerous memorials.

The Bronze Horseman. Monument to Peter the Great on Senatskaya Ploshchad. In the background is the Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, where Peter is buried

Peter the Great was the youngest son of Alexey I and his second wife, Natalya Naryshkina. Alexey was succeeded by the invalid Fyodor III, Peter's eldest half-brother, who lasted on the throne only