Peter the Great

(Peter I of Russia)

1672–1725

PETER THE GREAT.

Peter the Great was a reformer who redesigned the Russian navy, educational system, and government to suit his view of what a progressive Russia should be. He started several wars, which eventually resulted in a greatly expanded Russia. His mistress, Catherine, later became Catherine I of Russia, also a great leader. Although Peter was a reformer, he was not an idealist. The attempts of his half-sister Sophia to seize the reins of power early on gave Peter a close-up view of the ruthlessness that categorizes most political monarchies. This ruthlessness would also mark Peter as a ruler; it is most notable in his torture and execution of his eldest living son Alexei, on suspicion of treason. Peter I is also famous for his incognito tour of Europe, where he learned practical skills such as ship-building, and his founding of the city of St Petersburg.

Key events during the life of Peter the Great:

Year	Event
1672	Born June 9th, son of Alexis I of Russia.
1676	Tsar Alexis dies, crown passes to Peter's elder brother, Feodor III.
1682	Death of Feodor III. Peter I chosen as Tsar instead of his older brother Ivan V, with his mother acting as Regent.
1682	April-May, uprising of the Streltsy places Sophia Alekseyevna (Peter's older half-sister) in power.
1682	Declared co-ruler of Russia with Ivan V, with Sophia acting as Regent.
1689	Arranged marriage to Eudoxia Lopukhina. They had two children.
1689	Sophia overthrown and incarcerated in convent. Peter and Ivan continue to co-rule.
1694	Death of mother Natalya.
1696	Death of Ivan V; Peter I now sole ruler of Russia.
1696	Capture of Azov from the Ottomans.
1697	Travels incognito in Europe to seek help of European monarchs against the Ottomans, but is unsuccessful.
1698	Uprising of the Streltsy in favour of Sophia. Sophia's supporters executed and Sophia forced to become a nun. Founding of first Russian naval base, Taganrog. Eudoxia divorced.
1699	Institution of the Julian Calendar.
1700	Russia declares war on Sweden, seeking to acquire control of the Baltic Sea. Battle of Narva, Russia defeated.
1703	Founding of St. Petersburg. Takes Martha Skavronskaya as a mistress; she converts to the Orthodox Church and takes the name Catherine.
1707	Secretly marries Catherine, they eventually have 11 children.
1710	Russo-Turkish War. Russia defeated and forced to cede territory.
1712	Formally marries Catherine I in St. Petersburg.
1714	Institutes mandatory education for children of nobility and minor government officials between ages 10-15.
1718	Death of Tsarevich Alexei by torture on suspicion of conspiracy against the crown. Alexei's son would later become Tsar Peter II.
1721	End of Great Northern War. Russia defeats Sweden.
1721	Proclaimed Emperor of all Russia on October 22nd. Proclaims that no man may become a monk before the age of fifty.
1722	Establishes Order of Ranks.
1722-23	Russo-Persian War.
1724	Catherine crowned Empress of Russia.
1725	Death of Peter the Great, February 8th.

Other Resources

Story Links	Book Links
Early Years of Peter the Great  in	The Story of Russia  by  Robert van Bergen
How the Tsar Regained a City  in	The History of Russia  by  Nathan Haskell Dole
Stories of Peter the Great  in	Old Time Tales  by  Lawton B. Evans
Peter the Great  in	Famous Men of Modern Times  by  John H. Haaren
Boyhood of Peter the Great  in	Historical Tales: Russian  by  Charles Morris
Window Open to Europe  in	Historical Tales: Russian  by  Charles Morris
Buffooneries of the Russian Court in	Historical Tales: Russian  by  Charles Morris
How Peter the Great Learned Shipbuilding  in	The Awakening of Europe  by  M. B. Synge
Peter the Great Founds St. Petersburg  in	European Hero Stories  by  Eva March Tappan

Image Links
Peter the Great  in Peter the Great	Peter Among the Shipping  in Peter the Great	Peter turning Executioner  in Peter the Great
The Czar’s visit to Alexis in Prison  in Peter the Great	Peter the Great  in The Story of Russia	His third and greatest enemy, Czar Peter of Russia  in Historic Boys
Peter the Great  in Famous Men of Modern Times	Peter the Great as a shipwright in Holland  in Famous Men of Modern Times	Peter the Great Peter the Great  in Back Matter
The life of Peter the Great saved at the Foot of the Altar The life of Peter the Great saved at the Foot of the Altar  in Back Matter	Peter the Great  in Historical Tales: Russian	Peter the Great  in European Hero Stories
Peter the Great Learning ShipBuilding  in European Hero Stories

Contemporary	Short Biography
Catherine I	Wife of Peter the Great who rose from a low station to help Peter govern Russia, and succeeded him on his death.
Louis XV	Indulgent and dissolute monarch of France, whose corrupt reign set the stage for the French revolution.