The first Russian Emperor Peter I the Great was born. Russian Tsar Peter the Great. The reign and reforms of Peter the Great. Biography of Peter the Great

Studying the topic “Personality of Peter 1” is important for understanding the essence of the reforms he carried out in Russia. Indeed, in ours it is often the character, personal qualities and the education of the sovereign determined the main line of socio-political development. The reign of this king covers a fairly long period of time: in 1689 (when he finally removed his sister Sophia from government affairs) and until his death in 1725.

General characteristics of the era

Consideration of the question of when Peter 1 was born should begin with an analysis of the general historical situation in Russia at the end of the 17th - beginning of the 18th century. This was a time when the preconditions for serious and profound political, economic, social and cultural changes were ripe in the country. Already during the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich, a tendency towards the penetration of Western European achievements into the country was clearly noted. Under this ruler, it was undertaken whole line measures to transform certain aspects of social life.

Therefore, the personality of Peter 1 was formed in a situation when society already clearly understood the need for serious reforms. In this regard, it is necessary to understand that transformative activity The first emperor of Russia did not arise out of nowhere; it became a natural and necessary consequence of the entire previous development of the country.

Childhood

Peter 1, short biography, whose reign and reforms are the subject of this review, was born May 30 (June 9), 1672. The exact birthplace of the future emperor is unknown. According to the generally accepted point of view, this place was the Kremlin, but the villages of Kolomenskoye or Izmailovo are also indicated. He was the fourteenth child in the family of Tsar Alexei, but the first from his second wife, Natalya Kirillovna. on his mother's side he came from the Naryshkin family. She was the daughter of small-scale nobles, which may have subsequently predetermined their struggle with the large and influential boyar group of the Miloslavskys at court, who were relatives of the tsar through his first wife.

Peter 1 spent his childhood among nannies who did not give him a serious education. That is why until the end of his life he never learned to read and write properly and wrote with errors. However, he was a very inquisitive boy who was interested in everything, he had an inquisitive mind, which determined his interest in practical sciences. The end of the 17th century, when Peter 1 was born, was the time when European education began to spread in the highest circles of society, however early years the future emperor passed away from the new trends of the era.

Teenage years

The life of the prince took place in the village of Preobrazhenskoye, where he, in fact, was left to his own devices. No one was seriously involved in raising the boy, so his studies during these years were superficial. And yet, the childhood of Peter 1 was very eventful and fruitful in terms of shaping his worldview and interest in scientific and practical activities. He became seriously interested in organizing troops, for which he arranged for himself the so-called amusing regiments, which consisted of local courtyard boys, as well as the sons of small-scale nobles, whose estates were located nearby. Together with these small detachments, he took improvised bastions, organized battles and gatherings, and carried out attacks. In relation to the same time, we can say that the fleet of Peter I arose. At first it was just a small boat, but nevertheless it is considered to be the father of the Russian flotilla.

First serious steps

It has already been said above that the time when Peter 1 was born is considered to be a transitional time in the history of Russia. It was during this period that the country was in a position where all the necessary prerequisites arose for its entry into the international arena. The first steps were taken in this direction during the foreign trip of the future emperor across countries Western Europe. Then he was able to see with his own eyes the achievements of these states in various areas of life.

Peter 1, whose brief biography includes this important stage in his life, he appreciated Western European achievements, primarily in technology and weapons. However, he also paid attention to the culture, education of these countries, and their political institutions. After his return to Russia, he made an attempt to modernize the administrative apparatus, the army, and legislation, which was supposed to prepare the country for entering the international arena.

The initial stage of government: the beginning of reforms

The era when Peter 1 was born was a preparatory time for major changes in our country. That is why the transformations of the first emperor were so appropriate and outlived their creator for centuries. At the very beginning of his reign, the new sovereign abolished which had been the legislative advisory body under the previous kings. Instead, he created a Senate based on Western European models. Meetings of senators to draft laws were supposed to take place there. It is significant that this was initially a temporary measure, which, however, turned out to be very effective: this institution existed until February Revolution 1917.

Further transformations

It was already said above that Peter 1 on his mother’s side comes from a not very noble noble family. However, his mother was raised in the European spirit, which, of course, could not but affect the boy’s personality, although the queen herself adhered to traditional views and measures when raising her son. Nevertheless, the king was inclined to transform almost all areas of life Russian society, which was literally an urgent need in connection with Russia’s conquest of access to Baltic Sea and the country's entry into the international arena.

And so the emperor changed the administrative apparatus: he created collegiums instead of orders, a Synod to manage church affairs. In addition, he formed regular army, and the fleet of Peter 1 became one of the strongest among other naval powers.

Features of transformation activities

The main goal of the emperor's reign was the desire to reform those areas that were necessary for him to solve the most important tasks when conducting combat operations on several fronts at once. He himself obviously assumed that these changes would be temporary. Most modern historians agree that the ruler did not have any pre-thought-out program of activities to reform the country. Many experts believe that he acted based on specific needs.

The significance of the emperor's reforms for his successors

However, the phenomenon of his reforms lies precisely in the fact that these seemingly temporary measures outlived their creator for a long time and existed almost unchanged for two centuries. Moreover, his successors, for example, Catherine II, were largely guided by his achievements. This suggests that the ruler’s reforms came to the right place and in right time. The life of Peter 1 was, in fact, dedicated to changing and improving a variety of areas in society. He was interested in everything new, however, when borrowing the achievements of the West, he first of all thought about how this would benefit Russia. That is why his transformative activities for a long time served as an example for reforms during the reign of other emperors.

Relationships with others

When describing the character of the tsar, one should never forget which boyar family Peter 1 belonged to. On his mother’s side, he came from a not very well-born nobility, which, most likely, determined his interest not in nobility, but in a person’s merits to the fatherland and his skills serve. The emperor valued not rank and title, but the specific talents of his subordinates. This speaks of Pyotr Alekseevich’s democratic approach to people, despite his stern and even harsh character.

Mature years

IN last years life the emperor sought to consolidate achievements achieved. But here he had serious problems with the heir. subsequently had a very bad effect on political governance and led to serious difficulties in the country. The fact is that Peter's son, Tsarevich Alexei, went against his father, not wanting to continue his reforms. In addition, the king had serious problems in his family. Nevertheless, he made sure to consolidate the successes achieved: he took the title of emperor, and Russia became an empire. This step raised the international prestige of our country. In addition, Pyotr Alekseevich achieved recognition of Russia's access to the Baltic Sea, which was of fundamental importance for the development of trade and the fleet. Subsequently, his successors continued the policy in in this direction. Under Catherine II, for example, Russia gained access to the Black Sea. The emperor died as a result of complications from a cold and did not have time to draw up a will before his death, which led to the emergence of numerous pretenders to the throne and repeated palace coups.

Peter I is the great Russian emperor and incredibly attractive and creative person, therefore, interesting facts from the biography of the king of the Romanov dynasty will be of interest to everyone. I will try to tell you something that is definitely impossible to find in any school textbooks. According to the new style, Peter the Great was born on June 8, according to his zodiac sign - Gemini. It is not surprising that it was Peter the Great who became an innovator for the conservative Russian Empire. Gemini is air sign, who is distinguished by his ease of decision-making, sharp mind and amazing imagination. Only the “horizon of expectation” usually does not justify itself: the rough reality is too different from the blue dreams.

According to calculations of the Pythagorean square, the character of Peter 1 consists of three units, which means that the emperor had a calm character. It is believed that a person with three or four units is most suitable for working in government agencies. For example, a person with one or five or six units has a despotic character and is ready to “go over their heads” for the sake of power. So, Peter the Great had all the prerequisites for occupying the royal throne.

Is he the heir?

There is an opinion that Peter the Great did not native son Alexey Mikhailovich Romanov. The fact is that future emperor was different strong health, unlike his brother Fyodor and sister Natalya. But this is just a guess. But the birth of Peter was predicted by Simeon of Polotsk, he informed the sovereign that he would soon have a son, who would go down in Russian history as a great almighty!

But the Emperor’s wife, Catherine I, was of peasant origin. By the way, this is the first woman who was aware of all government affairs. Peter discussed everything with her and listened to any advice.

Innovator

Peter the Great introduced many new ideas into Russian life.

• While traveling in Holland, I noticed that skating is much more convenient if they are not tied to shoes, but are tightly attached to special boots.

• To prevent soldiers from confusing right and left, Peter I ordered hay to be tied to his left leg and straw to his right. During drill training, the commander, instead of the usual “right - left”, commanded “hay - straw”. By the way, previously only educated people were able to distinguish between right and left.
• Peter intensively struggled with drunkenness, especially among the courtiers. To completely eradicate the disease, he came up with his own system: giving out seven-kilogram cast-iron medals for every binge. This award was hung around your neck at the police station and you had to wear it for at least 7 days! It was impossible to remove it on your own, and asking someone else was dangerous.
• Peter I was impressed by the beauty of overseas tulips; he brought flower bulbs from Holland to Russia in 1702.

Peter I's favorite pastime was dentistry; he took such interest in pulling out diseased teeth from anyone who asked. But sometimes he got so carried away that he could vomit even healthy ones!

Substitution of Peter I

The most unusual and interesting fact in Russian history. Researchers A. Fomenko and G. Nosovsky claim that there was a substitution and provide significant evidence to confirm it. In those days, the names of the future heirs to the throne were given in accordance with the day of the angel and the Orthodox canons, and this is where a discrepancy emerged: the birthday of Peter the Great falls in the name Isaac.

From his youth, Peter the Great was distinguished by his love for everything Russian: he wore a traditional caftan. But after a two-year stay in Europe, the sovereign began to wear exclusively fashionable European clothes and never again put on his once beloved Russian caftan.

• Researchers claim that the impostor who returned from distant countries had a body structure different from Peter the Great. The impostor turned out to be taller and thinner. It is believed that Peter 1 was not actually two meters tall before; this is logical, because his father’s height was 170 cm, his grandfather - 167. And the king who came from Europe was 204 cm. Therefore, there is a version that the impostor did not wear the king's favorite clothing due to the discrepancy in size.
• Peter I had a mole on his nose, but after his stay in Europe, the mole mysteriously disappeared, this is confirmed by numerous portraits of the sovereign.
• When Peter returned from foreign trip, he did not know where the oldest library of Ivan the Terrible was located, although the secret of its location was passed down from generation to generation. Princess Sophia constantly visited her, and new Peter I couldn’t find a repository of rare publications.
• When Peter returned from Europe, his entourage consisted of Dutchmen, although when the tsar just set off on his journey there was a Russian embassy of 20 people with him. Where 20 Russian subjects went during the two years of the Tsar’s stay in Europe remains a mystery.
• After arriving in Russia, Peter the Great tried to avoid his relatives and associates, and then got rid of everyone in different ways.

It was the archers who announced that the returning Peter was an impostor! And they staged a riot, which was brutally suppressed. This is very strange, because only those close to the tsar were selected for the Streltsy troops, the title of Streltsy was inherited with the confirmation of the tsar. Therefore, each of these people was definitely dear to Peter the Great before his trip to Europe, and now he suppressed the uprising in the most brutal way; according to historical data, 20 thousand people were killed. After this, the army was completely reorganized.

In addition, while in London, Peter the Great imprisoned his wife Lopukhina in a monastery without announcing the reason and took as his wife the peasant woman Marta Samuilovna Skavronskaya-Kruse, who in the future would become Empress Catherine I.

Researchers note that the calm and fair Peter the Great became a real despot after returning from a campaign abroad; all his orders were aimed at destroying Russian heritage: Russian history was rewritten by German professors, many Russian chronicles disappeared without a trace, was introduced new system chronology, abolition of customary measurement measures, repressions against the clergy, eradication of Orthodoxy, the spread of alcohol, tobacco and coffee, a ban on the cultivation of medicinal amaranth and much more.

Is this really so, one can only guess; all the historical documents of those times that we have cannot be considered valid, because everything was rewritten many times. We can only guess and assume; you can also watch a film on this topic.

In any case, Peter I is a significant figure in Russian history.

Main dates of the life and activities of Peter the Great

1682 - 1689 - The reign of Princess Sophia.

1689, September- Deposition of the ruler Sophia and her imprisonment in the Novodevichy Convent.

1695 - The first Azov campaign of Peter I.

1696 - Peter’s second Azov campaign and capture of the fortress.

1698, April - June- Streltsy uprising and defeat of the Streltsy near New Jerusalem.

1699, November- Peter concluded an alliance with the Saxon Elector Augustus II and the Danish King Frederick IV against Sweden.

1699, December 20- Decree on the introduction of a new calendar and the celebration of the New Year on January 1.

1700, October- Death of Patriarch Andrian. Appointment of Ryazan Metropolitan Stefan Yavorsky as locum tenens of the patriarchal throne.

1701 - 1702 - Victories of Russian troops over the Swedes at Erestfer and Gumelstof.

1704 - Capture of Dorpat and Narva by Russian troops.

1705 - 1706 - Uprising in Astrakhan.

1707 - 1708 - Uprising on the Don led by K. Bulavin.

1708 - 1710 - Regional reform of Peter.

1710, January 29- Approval of the civil alphabet. Decree on printing books in a new font.

1710 - Capture by Russian troops of Riga, Revel, Vyborg, Kexholm, etc.

1712 - The wedding of Peter I with Ekaterina Alekseevna.

1713 - Relocation of the court and higher government institutions to St. Petersburg.

1715 - Founding of the Maritime Academy in St. Petersburg.

1716, August- Appointment of Peter as commander of the combined fleet of Russia, Holland, Denmark and England.

1716 - 1717 - Expedition of Prince Bekovich-Cherkassky to Khiva.

1716 - 1717 - Peter's second trip abroad.

1718 - Start of construction of the Ladoga bypass canal.

1718 - 1720 - Organization of boards.

1719 - Opening of the Kunstkamera - the first museum in Russia.

1721, October 22- The Senate presented Peter with the title of Emperor, Great and Father of the Fatherland.

1722 - Senate reform. Establishment of the Prosecutor General's Office.

1722 - 1724 - Conducting the first audit. Replacement of house tax with poll tax.

1722 - 1723 - Peter's Caspian campaign. The annexation of Western and south coast Caspian Sea.

1724 - Introduction of a protective customs tariff.