Peter the Great's Revolution and the Rise of the Russian Empire

Introduction: Russia's Historical Foundations of Power

Russia is today one of the most important countries in the world, representing a political, economic, geostrategic, cultural, and social power — one which can, and most often does, set the tone for different changes in the world. Today's environment is built and developing in such a form as to reflect such influence from states that are significant in geographical size, population, and financial strength. However, Russia has the fundamentals and mentality of a great power regardless of the environment. This can be seen as a reminiscence of history and as a status quo in the mentality of Russian leaders and decision makers.

In building this historical mentality, a crucial role was played by Peter the Great at the end of the 17th century and beginning of the 18th century — the tsar who transformed Russia from a medieval state into one of the most important political forces in Europe, and in time in the world. James Cracraft's Revolution of Peter the Great identifies the most important achievements of the Russian ruler, taking into account the main areas of activity that were either created or improved during his reign and that contributed to the creation of a modern Russian Empire.

Peter the Great is seen by many historians as having been the driving force behind the creation of the Russian Empire (Cracraft, n.d.). The reasons for this conclusion are significant, and the achievements for which Peter the Great is acclaimed can hardly be denied. Some of the most important areas in which Peter the Great not only provided an impetus but built from the ground up include the military, the administration, the cultural sphere, and — perhaps most essential for Russia's future as an international player — diplomacy. Each of these areas experienced dramatic change: in some aspects genuine improvements, and in others short-term gains with long-term negative effects.

Military Reform and the Need for a Professional Army

The military is one of the most important pillars of any state, and this was especially true given the period in which Peter the Great reigned. The 17th and 18th centuries were periods of utmost violence, territorial conquest, and rebellion across the European continent. In the Russian sphere, the threat of the Ottoman Empire was constant and grew dramatically depending on the reigning Sultan. Further west, the Austrian, Hungarian, and German territories were constantly on the brink of war, generating a sense of heightened instability throughout the region (Berstein, Serge, and Milza, 1994). It was therefore crucial for a territory as vast as Russia to ensure some sense of security and stability.

Before Peter the Great, the Russian army was almost non-existent (Cracraft, n.d.). There was no professional force, and those who served did so without regularity. Soldiers were drafted on a case-by-case basis as the need arose — a practice that could not deliver reliable results, particularly given that the concept of a professional army was already taking hold elsewhere on the continent. Cracraft highlights the clear need to reform the system so as to allow professional training within the army and to organize the drafting of troops in a systematic manner. The challenges of the time imposed exactly this kind of rigorous approach (Kissinger, 1995).

Peter the Great's role was significant in this regard, firstly because it was he who identified the problem and resolved to solve it. Yet Cracraft also notes that one of the main reasons Peter recognized the problem was his desire for territorial conquest and the waging of war. As Cracraft writes, "Peter inherited from his royal Muscovite predecessors fluid boundaries and tense relations with both the Ottoman Turkish Empire and the Kingdom of Poland. But his struggles with these two powers for new territory or strategic security inevitably became entangled with his long war against the king of Sweden — his rival in what became a war not just for certain Baltic lands but for dominance in northeastern Europe" (Cracraft, n.d., p. 32). There was therefore a crucial need for a powerful army and a strong navy capable of waging wars at sea and protecting newly acquired territories. This was achieved through joint effort: while the army and navy were paramount, financial means had to be found to sustain them.

Conclusion: Peter the Great's Lasting Legacy

Through these actions, Peter the Great created a modern Russia and an empire in the true sense of the word. He brought about a change in mentality and a change in structure. Territorial conquests ensured an influx of culture and new orientations. Military might was successfully supported by strong administrative reform, and the cultural reform succeeded in creating a new type of society — one that was modern and in line with European trends. All of these achievements, as presented by Cracraft, were recognized by European countries, and in this way Russia became a European power.

References

Berstein, Serge, and Milza, Pierre. Histoire de l'Europe. Paris: Hatier, 1994.

Cracraft, James. Revolution of Peter the Great. Harvard University Press, n.d. Available at

Hobsbawm, Eric. The Age of Revolution, 1789–1849. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1962.

Kissinger, Henry. Diplomacy. London: Simon & Schuster, 1995.