Peter the Great was a very capable Russian emperor, who possessed exceptional abilities as a statesman, organizer, and reformer. He engineered a series of reforms that put Russia among the major European powers. Peter opened Russia to the west. He invited the best European engineers, shipbuilders, architects, craftsmen and merchants to come to Russia. Hundreds of Russians were sent to Europe to get the best education, and learn different arts and crafts.
One of Peter’s main goals was to regain access to the Baltic Sea and Baltic trade. In 1700, he started the Northern War with Sweden, which lasted for 21 years. In the course of the war, St. Petersburg was founded. In this war, Russia was victorious, and conquered the vast lands on the Baltic Coast. Russia gained access to European trade. St Petersburg became her major sea port, and Peter made it his capital.
Peter was an experienced army officer, navy admiral, and a skilful shipbuilder. It has to be said that Peter was also very cruel. Several coup attempts against him ended with mass executions. Nevertheless, Peter’s personality and massive reforms have inspired generations of historians, writers, and ordinary people.
