Why is Peter the Great seen as the modernizer of Russia?

By Hudson Rowland. Introduction. In the 17th Century, Russia was considered to be a backwards, and barbaric country in the eyes of the major powers in Europe. read more

Because he wanted to be seen as one by coming generations. Because in some areas he indeed was one of many modernizing rulers Russia had. Especially - his navy building program. read more

By the time of his 1725 death, Peter Romanov—better known as Peter the Great—set Russia on a trajectory that would one day meet and outstrip the strength of all other European nations. Without question, this enormous man was enormously important. read more

Peter the Great built his capital city on land near Russia's border with Finland. It was marshland where the river Neva meets the Gulf of Finland's easternmost shore. It was intended to be Russia's contact with the Western world unlike Moscow which was more in contact with the Eastern world. read more