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Born in 1672, son of Tsar Alexis Mikhailovich and his second wife, Natalya Naryshinka; Peter was "a fierce and cunning modern autocrat, who severed Russias roots", (Henri Troyat, 1979). Peter the Great is known for pushing Russia into Europe, by means of a vicious programme of Westernisation. Although he introduced major changes in the economic, and social fields, Peter is best known for achieving a major territorial expansion in the history of Russia. ... Peter wanted to transform Russia into an economically developed country, and therefore he supported massive industrialisation. He also wanted Russia to expand and become a powerful empire, thus he was the founder of the Russian navy "and the creator of the military", (Henri Troyat, 1979). Overall, Peter can be considered the "father" of Modern Russia.
As mentioned above, the greatest change introduced by Peter was in the military. ... Before Peter came to power, the Russian army had been "amateur", however, during Peters reign "Russia became a leading military power ", (Edward Acton, 1995). This was so because with the changes introduced, Peter developed a greater capability to move resources effectively (to mobilise men, arms, ships and provisions). Another very important military development introduced by Peter was the founding of the navy. Form a very early age, Peter learned from the British and the Dutch who had powerful navies that he needed power to command the seas. Peter also believed that with a large navy he would be able to "trade the world over", (Henry Moscow, 1962). ... Russia lacked the necessary expertise to construct a navy and to manage it, therefore Peter brought in foreign experts from abroad. Peter was the first Tsar not only to establish a powerful navy but also to set up a Russian shipbuilding industry, which transformed Russia from a landlocked military state into one of Europes greatest naval powers. Having a navy of approximately thirty thousand, Peter started his territorial expansion northwards. ... However, it was not only the creation of the Russian navy that allowed Russia to expand its empire; there were other very important reforms which affected the terrestrial troops, which made the Russian army very effective. ... "Peter made service in the army or the civil administration compulsory and lifelong for all noblemen", (Edward Acton, 1995). ... Peter also created a new class of spies, or secret agents.
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