Chapter XIII: Peter the Great (1698 - 1725)

Part I. The Barbarian

what steps by which men passed from barbarism to civilzation

~ - Voltaire

highly educated in wide variety of disciplines
suffered siezures
very strong, nearly 7 feet tall
thought in grand scale and ignored minor distractions
very informal; had no refined manners
sometimes unnecessarily cruel
enjoyed drinking
wild sense of humor
insatiable curiosity and ideas – all geared towards utility and catching Russia up with the West
very economical; no wasted money on pomp or kingship
one love in his life, with Catherine I of peasant classs – she actively moderated his vices

practiced despotic authority
worked with extreme diligence
1712 – made St. Petersburg captial
singular purpose in life: to westernize Russia
- introduced Wester culture, manners, fashio and mindset
- migrated Russia to Roman calendar and Greek alphabet
lead the Russian Reformation, wresting power from the clergy which was part of a general process of secularization in Russia
Industrialized Russian economy
exhaustive taxation and currency depreciation in his reign
Peter reformed education and opened new universities

Peter's reforms faced growing resistance. The huge upheaval and embarrassing imitation forced on Russia was resented
Peter's heir, Alexis, was rebelious and died in Prison – imprisoned by Peter himself
peter died Feb 1725
much of the reforms were reveresed after his death
Nevertheless, he opened the door to Europe and oversaw a pivotal moment in Russian history, thought, and culture