Russia
In the early 1600s, Russia was still a medieval state, untouched by the renaissance or reformation and largely isolated from Western Eourope. With the help of Peter the Great and Catherine the Great, Russia was soon to be a great modern power.
Peter the Great became king at the age of 10 in 1682. Peter was very curious person. In 1697 Peter went west to learn about their society. There he learned about many western ideas and was very interested in Parliament. Once he returned home from his adventure he decided to westernize Russia. He would become the most autocratic ruler of Europe's monarchs. Peter built up Russia's military and started to expand. Peter also gained control of the Russian Orthodox church. He made many social and economical reforms, improved education, and got many western technologies. In 1700 Peter began a long war against Sweden. Russia lost many battles but Peter never gave up. He replicated a European army and in 1709 he defeated Sweden and now Russia got the territory along the Baltic Sea. Peter wanted this land to become a great naval and army base called St. Petersburg. After 300 years of Moscow being the capital, Peter changed it to St. Petersburg. Peter built the Bering Strait and trans Siberian railroad. Peter the Great died in 1725. His lasting legacy included expanding Russian territory, gaining ports along the Baltic Sea, and creating a tremendous army. “I have conquered an empire but I have not been able to conquer myself,” Peter the Great says. Peter says that he was able to expand and build an army for the good of the empire.
Peter the Great became king at the age of 10 in 1682. Peter was very curious person. In 1697 Peter went west to learn about their society. There he learned about many western ideas and was very interested in Parliament. Once he returned home from his adventure he decided to westernize Russia. He would become the most autocratic ruler of Europe's monarchs. Peter built up Russia's military and started to expand. Peter also gained control of the Russian Orthodox church. He made many social and economical reforms, improved education, and got many western technologies. In 1700 Peter began a long war against Sweden. Russia lost many battles but Peter never gave up. He replicated a European army and in 1709 he defeated Sweden and now Russia got the territory along the Baltic Sea. Peter wanted this land to become a great naval and army base called St. Petersburg. After 300 years of Moscow being the capital, Peter changed it to St. Petersburg. Peter built the Bering Strait and trans Siberian railroad. Peter the Great died in 1725. His lasting legacy included expanding Russian territory, gaining ports along the Baltic Sea, and creating a tremendous army. “I have conquered an empire but I have not been able to conquer myself,” Peter the Great says. Peter says that he was able to expand and build an army for the good of the empire.
Catherine the Great was originally from Prussia and took charge of Russia after her husband was killed in 1762. Catherine the Great had many ideas when she took the throne. She codified laws and began state sponsored boys and girls education. Catherine tried to embrace many western ideas and worked to bring Russian into European life. She would repress peasants who were out of line. She expanded Russia's territory by winning wars. She set up schools and hospitals. Catherine had gained great land in eastern Poland. She reorganized the government. Catherine also did a lot to renovate the Winter Palace and St. Petersburg. Catherine had many economic reforms, but no social reforms, which made the peasants angry. Catherine and Peter were two czars who helped Russia become a super power.