The Basis for Russian Military Thought: from the Late 18th to Early 20th Century

     Peter the Great had many strengths, but his best was he modernized Russia. By seeing Europe, he changed many things. He changed the calendar so the New Year would be January 1. He increased agriculture by growing new crops and increased the number of factories in Russia. He also started the first Russian newspaper and enlarged their army to 200,000 men. He also got a warm water port for his “window on the sea.”

Peter the Great was born to Tsar Alexis and grew up differently than many people of his time. “Peter proved a healthy child, lively and inquisitive. It is probably significant to his development that his mother’s former guardian, Artamon Sergeyevich Matveyev, had raised her in an atmosphere open to progressive influences from the West” (Britannica Academica). The fact that he grew up with a significant figure in his life who favored the west shaped his views in a major. Later in his reign, he focused on western civilization and how they thrived. Peter tried to implicate the same influences in Russia to further try and modernize and advance the culture, society, and government. Peter was a very lively and energetic child. “When Alexis died in 1676 Peter was only four years old. His elder half-brother, a sickly youth, then succeeded to the throne as Fyodor III” (Britannica

Peter the Great was born to Tsar Alexis and grew up differently than many people of his time. “Peter proved a healthy child, lively and inquisitive. It is probably significant to his development that his mother’s former guardian, Artamon Sergeyevich Matveyev, had raised her in an atmosphere open to progressive influences from the West” (Britannica Academica). The fact that he grew up with a significant figure in his life who favored the west,shaped his views in a major way. Later in his reign, he focused on western civilizations and how they thrived. Peter tried to implicate the same influences in Russia to further try and modernize and advance the culture, society, and government. Peter was a very lively and energetic child. “When Alexis died in 1676 Peter was only four years old. His elder half-brother, a sickly youth, then succeeded to the throne as Fyodor

Peter recognized that his country was falling behind the European countries in knowledge, technology, trade, and governing ability. Using his absolute power as a czar, he brought in foreign advisers to help him modernize, westernize and educate his people. Peter had a great respect for Europe, and his reforms had a lasting influence in Russia, though there was of course opposition from the more conservative nobles.

A strong Military provides a strong reputation for a country. Peter knew that, that is why he took control of Russia and changed their military. Peter’s strong military allowed Russia to gain more territory and to win more wars. “He eliminated slavery, making all former slaves into serfs, who were thus subject to the soul tax, and military recruitment”. This contributes to the drastic change in the country’s economy.

Peter the Great ruled over Russia from 1682 to 1725. Known as a key force in the reformation of the Russian economy, and the country as a whole, Peter wished to bring his country into a new era. Up until his reign, Russia had been trapped in a medieval like state, cut off from its European neighbors; the Renaissance that revolutionized the rest of Europe had very little to no effect on the Russian government or its citizens. Peter realized that Russia could never be the world power that he wished it to be until they were on the same level as the rest of Europe. Seeing the dilemma, Peter left Russia for a period of time to travel Europe, work among the people of different nations, and study the cultures and governments of Russia’s neighbors.

Peter knew as a fact if the education in Russia did not get better then Russia would have no chance at becoming a world power. This was because he believed that if the military officers were not educated then his army would not be strong enough to become a world power. Though his time as the Russian monarch he created at least 30 advanced math school along with a school of modern medicine, artillery, and foreign languages. He also created a school of science because he was tired of all the foreign scientist and he want them to be from “the motherland”. Secondly, he started a Russian educational newspaper called the “Vedomosti” for the common people because he believed that Russia would be stronger if everyone was partially educated. Many young noblemen inspired to do as Peter did and go to the west to know the new technology and philosophy. Instead of shunning it because of fear of being taken over he encouraged noble to go to the west and believed it would be great for the development of Russia. He also expected the young nobles to shun all of the old Russia traditions and encouraged people to take the traditions of the Europeans. Peter was right and Russia became much more modern and powerful as more people started to become

From Russia, the politics and systems of Western Europe seemed worlds away, yet the differences between the two realms had become compelling enough for the young Tsar to be convinced of Russia’s need to change. Perhaps, even without the Atlantic system, or if a different monarch sat on the Russian throne, Russia might have developed into its own distinctive society with the ability to rival Western Europe. With history unfolding the way it did, however, Peter I, inspired by his experience with a changed West, acted as the catalyst Russia needed to begin its ascent to power. Despite flaws and drawbacks, Peter I managed to shape Russia into a modern nation with the ability to enter the world stage in the coming years all the way into the present. Little did the seafaring, Western European nations know that, in surging forward in pursuit of wealth and power in the Atlantic, they also awakened a behemoth that would soon come knocking on their

In 1679, Peter Alekseyevich, famously known as Peter the Great, visited western Europe in an attempt to establish and strengthen Russia’s position in the modern world, such as ideas that would reform the domestic structure of Russia. Through Europe's customs and industry, Peter the Great sought to westernize Russia. Decrees such as the new calendar and compulsory education for Russian nobility transformed daily lives.

As a result, Peter toured Europe seeking to use Western ideas in order to help Westernize Russia. Peter was able to work with Germans who lived in Russia and studied the German army. In addition, Peter also studied Europe’s philosophy and science. He was so involved in refining Russia’s structure, that he visited various European countries under an alias in order to be one with the crowd and study European customs and methods. Peter’s goal was “to make his country a great power commensurate with its size and potential so that it might forever be safe from foreign invasion or domination.”

Peter The Great had many had major achievements, goals, and did many actions. One major achievement, goal or action that Peter The Great did or had was he disguised himself as a normal guy to improve the country of Russia. Peter The Great was the Czar of Russia in 1696 and he realized that Russia was isolated from the other countries. Peter wanted to see what Europe was like since Russia was isolated and he wanted to see what he can do to make things better in Russia. Peter decided to dress up as a normal person and traveled to Europe. He was disguised very well and no one realized who he was. Peter arrived in Europe and looked around to see what can make things better for his country. One last major achievement, goal, or action that Peter The Great did or had was he is focusing now on modernizing Russia. Peter, while he was looking around, noticed all the advanced technology Europe had, how their military worked, and more. Peter The Great then returned to Russia and made many changes to everything. The time period where Peter The Great was changing everything after seeing Europe was

He has left his large imprint on Russian history, science, culture and foreign policy. But critics believe the changes were too brutal and costly to the Russian people. Moreover, the critics argue, Russia was exposed to too much foreign influence, which replaced ancient ways and traditions. Yet, as the Russians speak of “cutting a window through to Europe,” which is synonymous with ‘breakthrough’ or ‘reforms,’ they are repeating Peter’s mantra. Peter was Described as handsome and of unusual physical strength, and standing at some two meters in height, Peter was literally head and shoulders above his contemporaries both in Russia and Europe. Unlike all earlier Russian tsars, he didn’t shy away from hard physical labor and enjoyed a simple lifestyle. He liked conversations over a mug of beer and a good party, although he sometimes drank heavily, forcing his guests to follow his example. Valuing honesty above all, Peter was ruthless in crushing all opposition and terrible in anger, lashing out with his stick even at his highest officials and closest advisors. To many people Peter the great is seen as a tyrannical evil

Peter I (the Great) became Tsar of Russia in 1682 and instituted many comprehensive reforms designed to modernize and develop Russia during his reign. In The Revolution of Peter the Great, James Cracraft’s portrays the Tsar as an ambitious and pivotal leader that sought to create a modern and powerful nation that could compete with other European Powers. Peter planned to reform Russian government by establishing new bureaucratic, civil, and educational institutions within the state. Peter also promoted reforms for Russian traditions, society, and the church. Cracraft contends that following the defeat by Swedish forces at the Battle of Narva in 1700, Peter understood the necessity for the creation of a Russian navy and the modernization of

Every Monarch and country faced their own problems and wars. While other countries were entering the ages of development and new and reformed cultures Russia was still stuck in the medieval age. He pulled russia out of the medieval stage by centralizing government, forcing reformation and making armies. He had made a domestic policy that allowed him to get rid of foreign policies which was helpful when trying to modernize and change Russia. There was also was the Great Northern war which was between Russia and the Swedish Empire. Peter and other monarchs were against being alliance with sweden. The war started when russia, poland, and denmark declared war on the

group had little experience in air assault missions, no collective combat experience prior to this