When Peter the Great came to power in 1682 Russia had been experiencing social turmoil for a hundred years. Traditionally an epitome of absolutist government, Russia was in the midst of grueling struggles between members of the noble class when Peter reestablished the uncompromising rule that Moscow was known for. He immediately set upon instituting sweeping reforms that were meant to strengthen the power of the state and military. Peter’s motivations came from the internal and external conflicts that had marked Russia for a century since the death of the last absolutist ruler, Ivan the Terrible. After Ivan’s heir died with no son of his own to pass the crown to, violence and bloodshed erupted in the court of Moscow as claimants to the throne fought for the right to govern. Eventually a dynasty was established in the person of Michael Romanov, but the turmoil didn’t end. Again, murder marked the behavior of Michael’s descendants while religious conflicts and social revolts all prevented Russia from consolidating its vast territories. This was the environment that Peter grew up in, even witnessing firsthand as a child the horrific violence that defined the times. And while many dispute the “greatness” of Peter, none can deny the determination he exhibited in the reforms he put in place.
The major reforms Peter brought to Russia during his reign all served one basic purpose; to strengthen and build the state and military, while at the same time bringing the motherland into the Western European fold. After a year-and-a-half tour of Europe, Peter came back with many ideas on how to modernize the army and organize the government. His first goal was to crush what he conceived to be his most immediate foreign threat, Sweden. After an embarrassing early defeat in what would be a two decade campaign, Peter set upon his quest for absolute state power and military excellence. He required every nobleman to serve the state for life – either in the army or the civil bureaucracy. He also built many new schools and universities to supply the government with skilled and educated persons, again for the purpose of strengthening the state, not because of any benevolent intentions. The peasantry was also affected as commoners were required to serve longer tours in the army while at the same time paying higher taxes at home. Eventually Russia was able to subdue Sweden and make minor territorial gains, but Peter’s goals had been accomplished; he had consolidated power, strengthened the armed forces, and with his new capital in the north, St. Petersburg, established the Romanov court as an example of fine culture along the lines Versailles.
When judging if Peter’s reforms were positive or not, it is important to separate our own contemporary moral definition of the term from that of what Peter himself considered positive. There is no doubt that what he did was effective in regards to his intentions. He brought Russia to the center of the European power-sphere, a fact that would become evident through the Seven Years War all the way up to World War II. But all of his reforms had elements of tyranny. For one, serfdom increased under Peter’s rule as he built new factories and mines that these people were forced to labor in. Nobles from the upper class were subjected to this tyranny as well - they were forced to serve Russia for life and were even told how to dress and shave their beards, while their young sons were made to leave home for five years to attend academy. Most tragic though is draft Peter inflicted upon the peasantry. Sadly, as one historian has said, “[t]he departure of a drafted peasant boy was celebrated by his family and village almost like a funeral, since the recruit was drafted for life".
