Asher Sisneros

Asher K. Sisneros

Thomas E. Woods, Jr.

Western Civilization Since 1493

October 7, 2024

Peter the Great (r. 1682-1725) had one primary objective as the Tsar of Russia: Westernization. Today, his rule is highly controversial. To some, he was an absolutist despot who sought to vanquish Russia of its old tradition. To others, he was a savior who enlightened the barbaric culture. The debate continues, but one thing is irrevocably clear: the reign of Peter the Great was a pivotal moment for Russia in the history of Western civilization. 

During his lifetime, Peter sought to absorb everything from Western culture. He perceived the West as more civilized than his native land and traveled Europe with a deep curiosity. For example, he noticed that most men in Europe during this era did not have beards, whereas Russians did. To Peter, these beards indicated barbarity, and he believed men of class and dignity were clean-shaven. So he banned beards under the pain of an additional tax, and only church patriarchs were exempt. This caused some outrage, especially since Peter’s father Alexei mandated the exact opposite under his reign: beards were mandatory. 

But like Frederick William of Prussia, Peter the Great’s biggest achievement was a reformed military. After a crushing defeat, when eight thousand Swedes defeated forty thousand Russians in combat, Peter resolved to reform his military in the year 1700. Formerly, armies were led by local lords, and peasants filled the ranks as soldiers. In other words, the sovereignty of Russia depended on poorly trained peasants. This was an outrage to Peter, and he centralized the military, used forced conscription, and hired foreign military officers to train his troops. 

With this newly crafted army, Peter gained access to the Mediterranean. This was vital because, under his leadership, Russia shifted from an agricultural economy into an industrial economy that was dependent on trade. Thus his expansion into the Mediterranean was as much a territorial decision as an economic one. 

As far as religious policy went, Peter allowed Catholicism, but he was hardly a religious tolerant. Any opposition to his liturgy was put down. In other words, he utilized a policy of mandatory conformity. And so long as Catholics did not argue with his sovereign decrees, they were tolerated. 

Monasteries were also shut down in Russia. Peter deeply resented young monks because he believed they should be engaging in productive endeavors by adding services to the economy or serving in his military. Under his leadership, many monasteries were converted into schools and churches. 

On the positive side, Peter also recognized the importance of education. In addition to starting many schools, he made it mandatory for nobles to teach their children trigonometry, geometry, and arithmetic, between the ages of twelve and fifteen. Afterward, the children were tested on their mathematical knowledge to see if they mastered the material. 

Unfortunately, many in Russia resented Peter’s policies. The nobles, resented his support of the business “bourgeois class because they viewed these merchants as want-to-be nobles, trying to earn respect through industry instead of bloodline. Similarly, many ecclesiastical leaders resented Peter’s control over the church. In fact, his son even participated in a coup attempt to overthrow Peter. After confessing under torture, Peter authorized the execution of his son, and the rebellion was put down.

To conclude, Peter the Great’s rule is littered with controversy. On the one hand, he was an absolutist who crushed opposition and made authoritative mandates. On the other hand, his policies did improve Russian culture.