How did Peter I become the last Russian tsar and the first emperor? Tsar Peter the First was not Russian
The history of Russia is diverse and interesting. Peter 1 was able to have a huge impact on her. In his reform activities, he relied on the experience Western countries, but acted on the basis of the needs of Russia, while not having a definite system and program for transformations at all. First Russian emperor was able to lead the country out of the "troubled" time into the progressive European world, forced to respect the power and reckon with it. Of course, he was a key figure in the formation of the state.
Politics and government
Consider the policy and reign of Peter 1 briefly. He was able to create all the necessary conditions for a wide acquaintance with Western civilization, and the process of abandoning the old foundations was quite painful for Russia. Important feature reforms was that they affected all social strata, this is the history of the reign of Peter 1 was very different from the activities of his predecessors.
But in general, Peter's policy was aimed at strengthening the country, introducing it to culture. True, he often acted from a position of strength, however, he was able to create a powerful country, with an emperor at the head, who has absolute unlimited power.
Before Peter 1, Russia lagged far behind economically and technically from other countries, but conquests and transformations in all areas of life led to the strengthening, expansion of the empire's borders and its development.
The policy of Peter 1 was to overcome the crisis of traditionalism through many reforms, as a result of which the modernized Russia became one of the main participants in international political games. She actively lobbied for her interests. Its authority grew significantly, and Peter himself began to be considered a model of a great reformer.
He laid the foundations of Russian culture and created effective system management that has been maintained for many years.
Many experts studying Russian history, believe that the implementation of reforms by forceful imposition was unacceptable, although the opinion is not denied that otherwise the country simply could not be raised, and the emperor should be tough. Despite the reconstruction, the country did not get rid of the system of serfdom. On the contrary, the economy rested on it, a stable army consisted of peasants. This was the main contradiction in the ongoing reforms of Peter the Great, so the prerequisites for a crisis in the future appeared.
Biography
Peter 1 (1672-1725) was the most younger son in the marriage of Romanov A. M. and Naryshkina N. K. Learning the alphabet began on 03/12/1677, when he was not yet five years old. Peter 1, whose biography was full of bright events from childhood, later became a great emperor.
The prince studied very willingly, loved different stories and reading books. When the queen found out about this, she ordered to give him books on history from the library of the palace.
In 1676, Peter 1, whose biography at that time was marked by the death of his father, remained in the upbringing of his older brother. He was appointed heir, but because of poor health, ten-year-old Peter was proclaimed sovereign. The Miloslavskys did not want to come to terms with this, and therefore the Streltsy rebellion was provoked, after which both Peter and Ivan were on the throne.
Peter and his mother lived in Izmailovo, the ancestral home of the Romanovs, or in the village of Preobrazhensky. The tsarevich never received a church and secular education, he existed on his own. Energetic, very mobile, he often played battles with his peers.
In the German Quarter, he met his first love and made many friends. The beginning of the reign of Peter 1 was marked by a riot organized by Sophia, who was trying to get rid of her brother. She did not want to give power into his hands. In 1689, the prince had to take refuge in the regiments and most of court, and sister Sophia was removed from the government and imprisoned by force in a monastery.
Peter 1 was established on the throne. From that moment on, his biography becomes even more eventful both in his personal life and in state activity. He participated in campaigns against Turkey, went as a volunteer to Europe, where he took a course in artillery sciences, studied shipbuilding in England, and made many reforms in Russia. He was married twice and had 14 officially recognized children.
Personal life of Peter I
She became the first wife of the king, whom they married in 1689. The mother chose the bride for the great sovereign, and he did not feel tenderness for her, but only hostility. In 1698, she was forcibly tonsured a nun. Personal life is a separate page of the book, in which the story of Peter 1 could be described. On his way he met Marta, a Livonian beauty who was captured by the Russians, and the sovereign, seeing her in the Menshikov house, no longer wanted to part with her. After their wedding, she became Empress Catherine I.
Peter loved her very much, she bore him many children, but after learning about her betrayal, he decided not to bequeath the throne to his wife. Complicated Relationships the king had a son from his first marriage. The emperor died without having time to leave a will.
Hobbies of Peter I
Even as a child, the future great Tsar Peter 1 gathered "amusing" regiments from his peers and launched battles. AT later life it was these well-trained regiments that became the main guard. Peter was very inquisitive by nature, and therefore he was interested in many crafts and sciences. The fleet is another passion of his, he was seriously engaged in shipbuilding. He mastered fencing, horseback riding, pyrotechnics, and many other sciences.
Beginning of the reign
The beginning of the reign of Peter 1 was a dual kingdom, as he shared power with his brother Ivan. After the deposition of his sister Sophia, Peter did not rule the state for the first time. Already at the age of 22, the young king turned his eyes to the throne, and all his hobbies began to take on real shapes for the country. His first Azov campaign was undertaken in 1695, in the spring of 1696 - the second. Then the sovereign begins to build a fleet.
Appearance of Peter I
From infancy, Peter was a rather large baby. Even as a child, he was handsome both in face and figure, and among his peers he was above all. In moments of excitement and anger, the king's face twitched nervously, and this frightened those around him. Duke Saint-Simon gave his exact description: “Tsar Peter 1 is tall, well-built, a little thin. Round face and eyebrows beautiful shape. The nose is a little short, but not striking, large lips, dark skin. The king has black eyes of beautiful shape, lively and very penetrating. The look is very welcoming and majestic.
Epoch
Of great interest is the era of Peter 1, as this is the beginning of growth and comprehensive development Russia, turning it into a great power. Thanks to the transformations of the monarch and his activities, a system of administration and education was built over several decades, and a regular army and navy were formed. grew up industrial enterprises, handicrafts and trades were developed, internal and external trade was adjusted. observed permanent provision jobs for the population of the country.
Culture in Russia under Peter I
Russia changed a lot when Peter ascended the throne. The reforms he carried out were of great importance for the country. Russia has become stronger, constantly expanding its borders. She turned into European state with which other countries had to reckon. Not only military affairs and trade were developed, but there were also cultural achievements. New Year began to be calculated from January 1, there was a ban on beards, the first Russian newspaper and foreign books in translation were published. Career growth without education has become impossible.
Assuming the throne great emperor made many changes, and the history of the reign of Peter 1 is diverse and majestic. One of the most important decrees stated that the custom of passing the throne to descendants only through the male line was abolished, and anyone could be appointed an heir at the will of the king. The decree was very unusual, and it had to be substantiated and the consent of the subjects forced to be given under oath. But death did not give him the opportunity to put it into practice.
Etiquette in the time of Peter
Significant changes took place during the time of Peter 1 and in etiquette. The courtiers wore European clothes, a beard could be kept only by paying a large fine. It became fashionable to wear Western-style wigs. Women who were not previously present at palace receptions have now become obligatory guests, their education has improved, since it was believed that a girl should be able to dance, know foreign languages and play musical instruments.
The character of Peter I
The character of the monarch was controversial. Peter is quick-tempered and at the same time cold-blooded, wasteful and stingy, tough and merciful, very demanding and often condescending, rude and gentle at the same time. This is how those who knew him describe him. But at the same time, the great emperor was an integral nature, his life was completely devoted to serving the state, it was to him that he dedicated his life.
Peter 1 was very thrifty when he spent money on personal needs, but he did not skimp on the construction of his palaces and his beloved wife. The emperor believed that the easiest way to reduce vices was to reduce his needs, and he should set an example for his subjects. Two of his hypostases are clearly visible here: one is the great and powerful emperor, whose palace in Peterhof is not inferior to Versailles, the other is a thrifty owner, setting an example of an economical life for his subjects. Avarice and prudence were also evident to European residents.
reforms
The beginning of the reign of Peter 1 was marked by many reforms, mainly related to military affairs, which were often carried out by force, and did not always lead to the desired result. But after 1715 they became more systematic. We touched upon the reform from the first years, which turned out to be ineffective in governing the country. If we consider the reign of Peter 1 briefly, we can highlight several important points. He organized the Near Office. Many boards were introduced, each responsible for its own direction (taxes, foreign policy, trade, courts, etc.). underwent radical changes. The post of fiscal was introduced to control employees. The reforms affected all aspects of life: military, church, financial, commercial, autocratic. Thanks to the radical restructuring of all spheres of life, Russia began to be considered a great power, which was what Peter 1 wanted.
Peter I: important years
If we consider important dates in the life and work of the monarch, then Peter 1, whose years were marked by various events, was most active at some time intervals:
The beginning of the reign of Peter 1 was built from the very beginning on the struggle for the state. They didn't call him the Great for nothing. Dates of the reign of Peter 1: 1682-1725. Being strong-willed, resolute, talented, sparing no effort or time to achieve the goal, the king was strict with everyone, but first of all with himself. Often ruthless, but it was thanks to his vigor, determination, assertiveness and some cruelty that Russia changed dramatically, becoming a Great Power. The era of Peter 1 changed the face of the state for many centuries. And the city he founded became the capital of the empire for 300 years. And now St. Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Russia and proudly bears its name in honor of the great founder.
Biography of Peter I begins June 9, 1672 in Moscow. He was the youngest son of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich from his second marriage to Tsarina Natalya Kirillovna Naryshkina. Peter was the youngest of 13 children in big family Alexei Mikhailovich. From one year he was brought up by nannies.
Before his death, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich blessed his eldest son Fedor, who was 14 years old at that time, to rule. After Fedor ascended the throne, Natalya Kirillovna decided to leave with her children to the village of Preobrazhenskoye.
Father
Alexei I Mikhailovich Romanov Mother
Natalya Kirillovna Naryshkina Nikita Zotov hosted Active participation in the upbringing of the young prince, however, Peter initially did not care for the sciences and did not differ in literacy.
V. O. Klyuchevsky noted:
“More than once one can hear the opinion that Peter I was brought up not in the old way, differently and more carefully than his father and older brothers were brought up. As soon as Peter began to remember himself, he was surrounded in his nursery by foreign things; everything he played reminded him of a German. Over the years, children's Petra is filled with items of military affairs. It contains a whole arsenal of toy weapons. So in the nursery of Peter the Moscow artillery was quite fully represented, we meet a lot of wooden squeakers and cannons with horses. Even foreign ambassadors brought toy and real weapons as a gift to the prince. "In his spare time, he liked to listen to different stories and look at books with kunshtam (pictures)."
Revolt of 1682 and the coming to power of Princess Regent Sophia
The death of Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich in 1682 marked the beginning of an active confrontation between two clans of nobles - the Naryshkins (Peter's relatives from his mother's side) and the Miloslavskys (relatives of the first wife of Alexei Mikhailovich defending the interests of Ivan). Each of the families tried to promote their candidate, however, the boyar duma had to make the final decision and most of the boyars decided to make Peter the tsar, since Ivan was a sickly child. On the day of the death of Fyodor Alekseevich on April 27, 1682, Peter was proclaimed tsar.
Not wanting to lose power, the Miloslavskys spread a rumor that the Naryshkins had strangled Tsarevich Ivan Alekseevich. Under the blows of the alarm, many archers broke into the Kremlin, breaking the defense of the few royal guards. However, to their confusion, Tsarina Natalya appeared to meet them from the Red Porch along with Tsarevich Ivan and Peter. Ivan answered the questions of the archers:
“No one harasses me, and I have no one to complain about”
Tsarina Natalya goes out to the archers to prove that Ivan V is alive and well. Painting by N. D. Dmitriev-Orenburgsky
The crowd heated to the limit was provoked by accusations of Prince Dolgorukov of treason and theft - the archers slaughtered several boyars, many from the Naryshkin clan and archery chiefs. Having placed their own guards inside the Kremlin, the archers did not let anyone out or let anyone in, in fact, taking the entire royal family hostage.
Realizing the high probability of revenge on the part of the Naryshkins, the archers filed several petitions (in fact, they were rather not requests, but an ultimatum) so that Ivan would also be appointed king (moreover, the eldest), and Sophia the ruler-regent. In addition, they demanded that the rebellion be legalized and that the persecution of its instigators be abandoned, recognizing their actions as lawful and protecting the interests of the state. The patriarch and the boyar duma were forced to comply with the requirements of the archers, and on June 25 Ivan V and Peter I were crowned kings.
Princess Sophia watches with pleasure as the archers drag Ivan Naryshkin out, Tsarevich Peter reassures his mother. Painting by A. I. Korzukhin, 1882
Princess Regent Sofya Alekseevna Romanova
Peter was seriously shocked by the events of 1682 described above, according to one of the versions, the nervous convulsions that distorted his face during the excitement appeared shortly after the experience. In addition, this rebellion and the future one, in 1698, finally convinced the tsar of the need to disband the streltsy units.
Natalya Kirillovna considered that it was very unsafe to stay in the Kremlin completely captured by the Miloslavskys and decided to move to the country estate of Alexei Mikhailovich - the village of Preobrazhenskoye. Tsar Peter could live here under the supervision of faithful people, sometimes going to Moscow to participate in ceremonies that are obligatory for the royal person.
funny shelves
Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich was very fond of falconry and other similar entertainments - after his death, a large farm and about 600 servants remained. These devoted and intelligent people did not remain idle - having arrived in Preobrazhenskoye, Natalya Kirillovna set the task of organizing a military school for her son.
The prince received the first "amusing" detachment in the autumn of 1683. By next year in Preobrazhensky next to royal palace have already rebuilt the "amusing city" of Pressburg. Peter received military training on a par with other teenagers. He began his service marching ahead of the Preobrazhensky Regiment as a drummer, and eventually rose to the rank of bombardier.
One of the first selected candidates for the "amusing army" was Alexander Menshikov. He had to fulfill a special role: to become the bodyguard of the young king, his shadow. According to the testimony of contemporaries of those events, Menshikov even slept at the feet of Peter near his bed. Being under the tsar almost relentlessly, Menshikov became one of his main associates, especially a confidant in all important matters concerning the administration of a vast country. Alexander Menshikov received an excellent education and, like Peter I, received a shipbuilding certificate in Holland.
Menshikov A. D.
Personal life of young Peter I - first wife
The first wife of Peter I, Evdokia Lopukhina, was chosen by the mother of Peter I as his bride without agreeing this decision with Peter himself. The queen hoped that the Lopukhin family, although not considered especially noble, but numerous, would strengthen the position of the young prince.
The wedding ceremony of Peter I and Lopukhina took place on February 6, 1689 in the church of the Transfiguration Palace. An additional factor in the need for marriage was the Russian custom of that time, according to which a married person was a full-fledged and adult, which gave Peter I the right to get rid of the princess-regent Sophia.
Evdokia Fyodorovna Lopukhina
During the first three years of this marriage, two sons were born: the younger Alexander died in infancy, and the elder Tsarevich Alexei, born in 1690, will be deprived of his life on the orders of Peter I himself somewhere in the dungeons of the Peter and Paul Fortress of St. Petersburg.
The accession of Peter I - the displacement of Sophia
The second Crimean campaign of 1689, led by Sophia's favorite, Prince Golitsin, was unsuccessful. General dissatisfaction with her rule added seventeen-year-old Peter's chances for the return of the throne - his mother and her faithful people began preparations for the removal of Sophia.
In the summer of 1689, his mother summoned Peter from Pereslavl to Moscow. In that crucial moment his fate, Peter begins to show Sophia his own power. Planned in July of this year procession he sabotaged, forbidding Sophia to participate in it, and after her refusal to obey, he left, thus arranging a public scandal. At the end of July, he barely succumbed to persuasion to issue awards to the participants in the Crimean campaign, but refused to accept them when they came to him with thanks.
By the beginning of August, relations between brother and sister had reached such an intensity that the entire court expected an open confrontation, but both sides showed no initiative, completely concentrating on defense.
Sophia's last attempt to hold on to power
It is not known whether Sophia decided to openly oppose her brother, or whether she was frightened by rumors that Peter I, with his amusing regiments, plans to arrive in Moscow to remove her sister from power - on August 7, the princess's henchmen began to agitate archers in favor of Sophia. Adherents of the king, seeing such preparations, immediately informed him of the danger, and Peter, accompanied by three escorts, galloped away from the village of Preobrazhensky to the monastery of the Trinity Lavra. Starting from August 8, the remaining Naryshkins and all the supporters of Peter, as well as his amusing army, begin to gather in the monastery.
From the monastery, on behalf of Peter I, his mother and her associates put forward a demand to Sophia in a report on the reasons for arming and agitation on August 7, as well as messengers from each of the archery regiments. Forbidding the archers to send electives, Sophia sent Patriarch Joachim to her brother to try on, but the patriarch loyal to the prince did not return to the capital.
Peter I again sent a demand to the capital to send representatives from the townspeople and archers - they came to the Lavra despite Sophia's ban. Realizing that the situation is in favor of her brother, the princess decides to go to him herself, but already on the way she is persuaded to return, warning that if she comes to the Trinity, they will treat her “dishonestly”.
Joachim (Patriarch of Moscow)
After the massacre of people who were devoted to Sophia, Peter felt the need to clarify his relationship with his brother and wrote to him:
“Now, sir, the time has come for our two persons, the kingdom entrusted to us by God, to rule by ourselves, since we have come to the measure of our age, and we do not deign to be a third shameful person, our sister, with our two male persons, in titles and in the reprisal of deeds ... It is shameful, sir, at our perfect age, for that shameful person to rule the state past us.
Ivan V Alekseevich
Princess Sofia Alekseevna in the Novodevichy Convent
Thus, Peter I expressed an unequivocal desire to take the reins of government into his own hands. Left without people ready to take risks for her, Sophia was forced to obey the demand of Peter and retire to the Holy Spirit Monastery, and then move even further, to the Novodevichy Monastery.
From 1689 to 1696, Peter I and Ivan V ruled simultaneously, until the latter died. In fact, Ivan V did not take part in the reign, until 1694 Natalia Kirillovna ruled, after that Peter I himself.
The fate of Tsar Peter I after accession
First mistress
Peter quickly lost interest in his wife and from 1692 met in the German Quarter with Anna Mons, with the assistance of Lefort. When his mother was still alive, the king did not show open antipathy to his wife. However, Natalya Kirillovna herself, shortly before her own death, was disappointed in her daughter-in-law, in view of her independence and excessive stubbornness. After the death of Natalya Kirillovna in 1694, when Peter left for Arkhangelsk and even stopped corresponding with Evdokia. Although Evdokia was also called the queen and she lived with her son in the palace in the Kremlin, her Lopukhin clan fell out of favor - they began to be removed from leadership positions. The young queen tried to establish contacts with people who were dissatisfied with Peter's policies.
Supposed portrait of Anna Mons
According to some researchers, before Anna Mons became Peter's favorite in 1692, she was in connection with Lefort.
Returning in August 1698 from the Great Embassy, Peter I visited the house of Anna Mons, and already on September 3 sent his legal spouse in the Suzdal Intercession Monastery. There were rumors that the king even plans to officially marry his mistress - she was so dear to him.
The house of Anna Mons in the German Quarter in the painting by Alexandre Benois.
The tsar presented her with expensive jewelry or intricate little things (for example, a miniature portrait of the sovereign, adorned with diamonds worth 1 thousand rubles); and even built for her a stone two-story house in the German Quarter with state money.
Big amusing hike Kozhukhovsky
Miniature from the manuscript of the 1st half of the 18th century "The History of Peter I", a work by P. Krekshin. Collection of A. Baryatinsky. GIM. Military exercises near the village of Kolomenskoye and the village of Kozhukhovo.
Peter's amusing regiments were no longer just a game - the scope and quality of equipment fully corresponded to real combat units. In 1694, the tsar decided to hold his first large-scale exercises - for this, a small wooden fortress was built on the banks of the Moskva River near the village of Kozhukhovo. It was a regular pentagonal parapet with loopholes, embrasures and accommodated 5,000 garrison men. The plan of the fortress drawn up by General P. Gordon assumed an additional ditch in front of the fortifications, up to three meters deep.
To complete the garrison, archers were gathered, as well as all the clerks, nobles, clerks and other service people who happened to be nearby. The archers needed to defend the fortress, and the amusing regiments carried out the assault and carried out siege work - they dug trenches and trenches, blew up the fortifications, climbed onto the walls.
Patrick Gordon, who drew up both the plan of the fortress and the scenario for its assault, was Peter's main teacher in military affairs. During the exercises, the participants did not spare each other - according to various sources, there were up to 24 killed and more than fifty wounded on both sides.
The Kozhukhovsky campaign became the final stage of the military-practical studies of Peter I under the leadership of P. Gordon, which continued from 1690.
The first conquests - the siege of Azov
The urgent need for trade routes the Black Sea area for the economy of the state was one of the factors that influenced the desire of Peter I to extend his influence to the coasts of the Azov and Black Seas. The second determining factor was the young king's passion for ships and navigation.
Blockade of Azov from the sea during the siege
After the death of his mother, there were no people left who could dissuade Peter from resuming the fight against Turkey within the framework of the Holy League. However, instead of previously unsuccessful attempts to march on the Crimea, he decides to advance south, near Azov, which did not submit in 1695, but after the additional construction of a flotilla that cut off the supply of the fortress from the sea, Azov was taken in 1696.
Diorama "The capture of the Turkish fortress of Azov by the troops of Peter I in 1696" The subsequent struggle of Russia against the Ottoman Empire within the framework of the agreement with the Holy League lost its meaning - a war began in Europe for Spanish inheritance, and the Austrian Habsburgs no longer wanted to take into account the interests of Peter. Without allies, it was not possible to continue the war with the Ottomans - this became one of the key reasons for Peter's trip to Europe.
Grand Embassy
In 1697-1698, Peter I became the first Russian tsar to make a long trip abroad. Officially, the tsar participated in the embassy under the pseudonym of Peter Mikhailov, with the rank of scorer. According to the original plan, the embassy was supposed to go along the following route: Austria, Saxony, Brandenburg, Holland, England, Venice and, finally, a visit to the Pope. The actual route of the embassy passed through Riga and Koenigsberg to Holland, then to England, from England back to Holland, and then to Vienna; it was not possible to get to Venice - on the way, Peter was informed of the uprising of the archers in 1698.
Journey start
March 9-10, 1697 can be considered the beginning of the embassy - it moved from Moscow to Livonia. Arriving in Riga, which at that time belonged to Sweden, Peter expressed a desire to inspect the fortifications of the city fortress, but General Dahlberg, the Swedish governor, did not allow him to do so. The king, in anger, called Riga “a cursed place”, and leaving after the embassy to Mitava, he wrote and sent home the following lines about Riga:
We rode through the city and the castle, where the soldiers stood in five places, there were less than 1,000 of them, but they say that they were all there. The city is much fortified, but not completed. They are afraid of evil here, and they are not allowed into the city and other places with guards, and they are not very pleasant.
Peter I in Holland.
Arriving on August 7, 1697 in the Rhine, Peter I went down to Amsterdam along the river and canals. Holland was always interesting to the tsar - Dutch merchants were frequent guests in Russia and talked a lot about their country, arousing interest. Not devoting much time to Amsterdam, Peter rushed to the city with many shipyards and shipbuilders' workshops - Zaandam. Upon arrival, he signed up as an apprentice at the Linst Rogge shipyard under the name of Peter Mikhailov.
In Zaandam, Peter lived on Crimp Street in a small wooden house. Eight days later the king moved to Amsterdam. The burgomasters of the city of Witsen helped him obtain permission to participate in work at the shipyards of the Dutch East India Company.
Seeing such interest of Russian guests in the shipyards and the process of building ships, the Dutch on September 9 laid new ship(frigate "Peter and Pavel"), during the construction of which Peter Mikhailov also took part.
In addition to teaching shipbuilding and studying local culture, the embassy was looking for engineers for the subsequent development of production in the Russian kingdom - the army and the future fleet were in dire need of rearmament and equipment.
In Holland, Peter got acquainted with many different innovations: local workshops and factories, whaling ships, hospitals, educational homes - the king carefully studied Western experience for its application in his homeland. Peter studied the mechanism windmill, visited a paper factory. He attended lectures on anatomy in Professor Ruysch's anatomy room and expressed a particular interest in embalming corpses. In the anatomical theater of Boerhaave, Peter participated in the autopsy of corpses. Inspired by Western developments, in a few years Peter will create the first Russian museum of rarities - the Kunstkamera.
For four and a half months, Peter managed to learn a lot, but his Dutch mentors did not justify the hopes of the king, he described the reason for his discontent as follows:
At the East India shipyard, putting himself with other volunteers into the teaching of ship architecture, the sovereign short time accomplished what a good carpenter should know, and with his labors and skill he built a new ship and launched it into the water. Then he asked that shipyard bass Jan Paul to teach him the proportions of the ship, which he showed him four days later. But since in Holland there is no perfection for this skill in a geometric way, but just some principles, the rest from long-term practice, about which the aforementioned bass said, and that he can’t show everything on a drawing, then it became disgusting to him that such a long way for he perceived this, but did not reach the desired end. And for several days His Majesty happened to be at the country yard of the merchant Jan Tessing in company, where he sat much unhappy for the reason described above, but when between conversations he was asked why he was so sad, then he announced this reason. There was one Englishman in that company who, hearing this, said that they, in England, had this architecture as perfect as any other, and that one could learn in a short time. This word made his majesty angry, according to which he immediately went to England and there he graduated from this science four months later.
Peter I in England
Having received a personal invitation from William III in early 1698, Peter I went to England.
Having visited London, the king spent most of the three months of his stay in England in Deptford, where, under the guidance of the famous shipbuilder Anthony Dean, he continued to study shipbuilding.
Peter I talks with English shipbuilders, 1698 In England, Peter I also examined everything that was connected with production and industry: arsenals, docks, workshops, visited warships of the English fleet, getting acquainted with their device. Museums and cabinets of rarities, an observatory, a mint - England was able to surprise the Russian sovereign. There is a version according to which he met with Newton.
Leaving the picture gallery of Kensington Palace unattended, Peter became very interested in the device for determining the direction of the wind, which was present in the king's office.
During Peter's visit to England, the English artist Gottfried Kneller managed to create a portrait, which later became an example to follow - most of the images of Peter I common in Europe during the 18th century were made in the Kneller style.
Returning back to Holland, Peter could not find allies to fight against the Ottoman Empire and went to Vienna, to the Austrian Habsburg dynasty.
Peter I in Austria
On the way to Vienna, the capital of Austria, Peter received news of the plans of Venice and the Austrian king to conclude a truce with the Turks. Despite the long negotiations that took place in Vienna, Austria did not agree to the demand of the Russian kingdom for the transfer of Kerch and only offered to keep the already conquered Azov with the adjacent territories. This put an end to Peter's attempts to gain access to the Black Sea.
July 14, 1698 Peter I said goodbye to the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Leopold I and planned to leave for Venice, but news was received from Moscow about the rebellion of the archers and the trip was canceled.
Meeting of Peter I with the king of the Commonwealth
Already on the way to Moscow, the tsar was informed about the suppression of the rebellion. July 31, 1698 in Rava, Peter I met with the king of the Commonwealth, Augustus II. Both monarchs were almost the same age, and in three days of communication they managed to get closer and discuss the possibility of creating an alliance against Sweden in an attempt to shake its dominance in the Baltic Sea and adjacent territories. The final secret agreement with the Saxon elector and the Polish king was signed on November 1, 1699.
August II Strong
Peter the Great was born on May 30 (June 9), 1672 in Moscow. In the biography of Peter 1, it is important to note that he was the youngest son of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich from his second marriage to Tsarina Natalya Kirillovna Naryshkina. From one year he was brought up by nannies. And after the death of his father, at the age of four, Peter's half-brother and new Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich became Peter's guardian.
From the age of 5, little Peter began to learn the alphabet. The clerk N. M. Zotov gave him lessons. However, the future king received a poor education and was not distinguished by literacy.
Rise to power
In 1682, after the death of Fyodor Alekseevich, 10-year-old Peter and his brother Ivan were proclaimed kings. But in fact, they took control older sister- Princess Sofya Alekseevna.
At this time, Peter and his mother were forced to move away from the court and move to the village of Preobrazhenskoye. Here, Peter 1 becomes interested in military activities, he creates "amusing" regiments, which later became the basis of the Russian army. He is fond of firearms, shipbuilding. He spends a lot of time in the German Quarter, becomes a fan of European life, makes friends.
In 1689, Sophia was removed from the throne, and power passed to Peter I, and the government of the country was entrusted to his mother and uncle L.K. Naryshkin.
King's reign
Peter continued the war with the Crimea, took the fortress of Azov. Further actions of Peter I were aimed at creating a powerful fleet. Foreign policy Peter I of that time was focused on finding allies in the war with Ottoman Empire. For this purpose, Peter went to Europe.
At this time, the activities of Peter I consisted only in the creation political alliances. He studies shipbuilding, device, culture of other countries. He returned to Russia after the news of the Streltsy rebellion. As a result of the trip, he wanted to change Russia, for which several innovations were made. For example, the Julian calendar was introduced.
For the development of trade, access to Baltic Sea. So the next stage of the reign of Peter I was the war with Sweden. Having made peace with Turkey, he captured the fortress of Noteburg, Nienschanz. In May 1703, the construction of St. Petersburg began. AT next year- taken Narva, Dorpat. In June 1709 in Poltava battle Sweden was destroyed. Shortly after the death of Charles XII, peace was concluded between Russia and Sweden. New lands joined Russia, access to the Baltic Sea was obtained.
Reforming Russia
In October 1721, the title of emperor was adopted in the biography of Peter the Great.
Also during his reign, Kamchatka was annexed, the coast of the Caspian Sea was conquered.
Peter I carried out military reform several times. Basically, it concerned the collection of money for the maintenance of the army and navy. It was carried out, in short, by force.
Further reforms of Peter I accelerated the technical and economic development of Russia. He spent church reform, financial, transformations in industry, culture, trade. In education, he also carried out a number of reforms aimed at mass education: many schools for children and the first gymnasium in Russia (1705) were opened.
Death and legacy
Before his death, Peter I was very ill, but continued to rule the state. Peter the Great died on January 28 (February 8), 1725 from inflammation Bladder. The throne passed to his wife, Empress Catherine I.
The strong personality of Peter I, who sought to change not only the state, but also the people, played a crucial role in the history of Russia.
Cities were named after the Great Emperor after his death.
Monuments to Peter I were erected not only in Russia, but also in many European countries. One of the most famous - Bronze Horseman in St. Petersburg.
History is full of various secrets and mysteries. Even yesterday's news is sometimes overgrown with rumors and speculation, to say nothing of the events that took place several centuries ago.
According to numerous testimonies, last years life of Peter I appeared serious problems with health, in particular, signs of urolithiasis began to appear. When studying the emperor's letters to his wife, one can conclude that 5-6 years before his death, he practically never parted with medicines. To restore his health, the emperor repeatedly took treatment at Russian and foreign resorts known for their mineral waters. In the summer of 1724, he twice (in June and August) underwent a course of water treatment in the Moscow region and the Olonets province. During this period, the emperor's illness began to take on an inflammatory character. Things got to the point that the operator V. Gorn had to insert a catheter. The treatment helped, by the autumn of 1724 Peter I began to feel somewhat better. The state of health even allowed him to go by sea to Shlisselburg and Lakhta. But here the emperor caught a bad cold. This happened in November, when he spent a long time waist-deep in icy water - rescuing sailors from a boat that ran aground off the coast of Lakhta. Since that time, the health of the emperor was completely shaken. But, despite this, almost until the end of his days, Peter I led rich life. He was engaged state activities actively participated in the life of the city. It is known, for example, that in October 1724, Peter I was one of those who put out the fire that broke out on Vasilyevsky Island. In early November, the emperor personally attended the wedding of a German baker. In addition, the emperor attended various social events. His eldest daughter Anna was betrothed to the Duke of Holstein in November 1724. On this occasion, festivities were held in the palace for two weeks, some of them were visited by Peter I. On December 18, the fifteenth birthday of Elizabeth, the future Empress of Russia, was celebrated, and just two days later the emperor attended the election of a new “prince-pope” (a comic position established by Peter I). The beginning of 1725 was no less eventful. Peter attended one wedding, and also visited the assemblies of P. Tolstoy and K. Kreutz.
By mid-January, the emperor felt so bad that he ordered a camp church to be placed in the chambers adjacent to his bedroom. The attacks were so painful that the cries of the patient were carried throughout the palace. Prayer services were held in churches, on January 27 an amnesty was announced for all prisoners sentenced to death or hard labor (the only exceptions were murderers and persons convicted of repeated robbery). Despite the efforts of the court physicians, Peter was getting worse. On January 26, he had an attack, as a result of which Peter I lost his speech and the right half of his body was taken away. Early in the morning of January 28, 1724, the first emperor of Russia died.
According to Jacob Shtelin (a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences), on February 2, 1724, the court physician Paulson and operator Gorn performed an autopsy of the body. Unfortunately, no documents that record the results of this medical research have not survived to this day. After the death of the emperor, his archive was kept in the cellars Winter Palace. Only decades later, already under the reign of Catherine II, an attempt was made to sort out the documents. As a result, it turned out that many papers died due to the effects of water that penetrated into the basement during seasonal floods. But in some works you can read that the autopsy did not confirm urolithiasis as the cause of the emperor's death. In particular, Shtelin writes: “During the autopsy of the imperial body, they found hardening in the neck of the bladder and Antonov fire (i.e. gangrene) in parts near the bladder, and it was so swollen and hardened that it was difficult to cut it with an anatomical knife.”
Some researchers put forward a version of poisoning. But when you study all the known facts, it does not seem consistent.
A few years before his death, namely in 1722, Peter I issued a decree according to which the eldest in the male line does not necessarily become the heir to the throne. From now on, the emperor himself could appoint his successor. But it was Peter I who could not use this right. The disease developed so rapidly, the attacks were so severe and painful, that the emperor could not leave behind any instructions about who he sees as his successor. As you know, the dying man managed to draw only two words "Give it all." This is what led to the fact that in the following decades, kings were enthroned not by law, but by force. Sudden deaths and the lack of wills of subsequent rulers gave rise to a whole series of palace coups. And only 75 years after the death of Peter I, the law on succession to the throne he had published was canceled.
What Peter I died of is not the only question related to this significant figure. Some modern researchers, relying on known facts, suggest that he was replaced by another person during the so-called "great embassy" (1697-1698). This once again confirms that history is full of secrets that you really want to unravel.
Nowadays there is a large number of books and records about the life of Peter 1. In this article we will tell short biography the first emperor of the All-Russian - Peter Alekseevich Romanov (Peter 1). A large number of large and significant transformations for the Russian state are associated with his name.
Date and place of birth
The last Tsar of All Russia was born on June 9, 1672, according to folk tales, Peter was born in the village of Kolomenskoye.
Family and parents of Peter 1
Peter 1 was the son of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and Natalya Kirillovna Naryshkina. Parents were different social status. His father is the second Russian Tsar from the Romanov dynasty, while his mother is a small noblewoman. Natalya Kirillovna was the second wife of Alexei Mikhailovich, his first wife, Maria Ilyinichna Miloslavskaya, died in childbirth.
Peter 1 had two wives: the first was Evdokia Fedorovna Lopukhina, the second was Ekaterina Alekseevna Mikhailova (Ekaterina 1). During his life, the Emperor of Russia had 10 children (2 from his first marriage and 8 from his second). Unfortunately, most of the children died in childhood.
Childhood of Peter the Great
From an early age, Peter was very fond of playing with military toys, seeing this, his father appointed the experienced Colonel Menesius as a mentor in military affairs. It is worth noting that Alexei Mikhailovich organized the “Petrov regiment”, a small military association that served as the basis for teaching military affairs in a playful way. This regiment had a real uniform and weapons. Later, such associations began to be called "amusing regiments." Here Peter passed his first real military-practical training. At the age of ten, Peter 1 had already begun to rule Russia. It was 1682.
The reign of Peter 1. Briefly
Peter the Great finally transformed the Muscovite kingdom into Russian empire. Under him, Russia became Russia: a multinational power with access to the southern and northern seas.
Peter 1 is the creator of the Russian fleet, the date of foundation of which can be called 1696. Forever in the history of Russia there was a memory of the Battle of Poltava, in which Russia won. In the war with Turkey, he conquered Azov, and the Northern War with Sweden ensured Russia's access to the Baltic Sea.
Another great deed is the founding of St. Petersburg. Under him, the first printed domestic newspaper Vedomosti began to appear. He created the conditions for development different sciences, urban planning industry. The indomitable energy of Peter allowed him to master many professions - from carpentry to sailor. One of them was that while in Holland, the emperor learned the basics of dental treatment (namely, he learned how to pull them out).
Ordered to celebrate the New Year on the first of January. It is to him that we owe the cheerful custom of decorating Christmas trees for this holiday.
Peter 1 died in 1725 after a long illness, which he received while rescuing people from a sinking ship, pulling them out of the icy water.