Officially, the beginning of the reign of Peter I is usually counted from May 7, 1682, when, after the death of his brother Fyodor Alekseevich, he, at the age of ten, was crowned Tsar of All Rus' along with his fifteen-year-old brother Ivan V. In fact, the independent reign of Peter I began not even after the overthrow of Princess Regent Sophia in 1689, who had ruled during the dual reign since 1682, but only since the death of his mother, Natalya Naryshkina, in 1694.
Beginning of the reign of Peter I and Ivan V - coronation, 1682
Streletsky riot 1682 - Khovanshchina
After the death of Tsar Fedor, the Miloslavskys, with the help of I.A. Khovansky, directed the wrath of the archers against the Naryshkin clan, resulting in the throne along with Peter I was crowned by his brother Ivan V, A Princess Regent Sophia became the de facto ruler(daughter of the first wife of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich - Maria Miloslavskaya).
The reign of Peter and Ivan - the reign of Princess Sophia
Sophia ruled based on her favorite, Vasily Golitsin. After concluding a fairly profitable “Eternal Peace” with Poland in 1686, it was Golitsin who launched two unsuccessful campaigns against the Crimean Khanate in 1687 and 1689. After the Albazin War with China for the Amur territories, the unfavorable Treaty of Nerchinsk of 1689 was concluded.
Removal of Sophia 1689
On May 30, 1689, Peter I turned 17 years old, he was married and, according to custom, no longer needed a regent princess Sophia. The princess did not want to give up power, and, according to rumors, was preparing an assassination attempt on the king. Together with his closest associates, and the amusing army representing at that time already combat-ready units, Peter I took refuge in the Trinity-Sergius Monastery. Gradually, Sophia lost power - most of her subjects and troops swore allegiance to Peter I, and the princess was exiled to a monastery.
Tsarevna Sofya Alekseevna Romanova
The first years of the reign of Peter I
After the overthrow of Princess Sophia in 1689, Ivan V actually ceased to participate in the reign - power passed into the hands of people who rallied around the mother of Peter I, Tsarina Natalya Kirillovna. She tried to accustom her son to public administration, entrusting him with private affairs, which Peter found boring. Major decisions(declaration of war, election of the Patriarch, etc.) were adopted without taking into account the opinion of the young king. This led to conflicts. After the death of Natalya Kirillovna, the tsar did not displace the government of L.K. Naryshkin - B.A. Golitsyn, formed by his mother, but ensured that it strictly carried out his will.
Natalia Naryshkina
Azov campaigns
The death of the Tsar's mother, Natalya Kirillovna Naryshkina in 1694 - the beginning independent government Peter I. His brother Ivan V, who lived until 1696, did not take part in the administration. Peter I wanted to test his new military formations in action - the Semenovsky and Preobrazhensky regiments; in addition, the Azov fortress was a key point for consolidation on the coast of the Azov Sea.
The first Azov campaign of 1695 ended in failure due to the poor organization of the Russian troops and lack of naval support, and Peter I learned his lesson - he went to build new shipyards and ships.
Gathering more troops, with the support of artillery and the fleet, cutting off the Turkish fortress from supplies by sea, Peter I took Azov during the second Azov campaign in 1696. Taganrog was founded as a base for the Russian fleet in 1698.
Intervention of Peter I in European politics
In an effort to prevent the election of a pro-French prince to the Polish throne, Peter I sent streltsy units under the command of G. Romodanovsky to the Lithuanian border to support the party of the Elector of Saxony, Friedrich Augustus, who was also fighting for the Polish crown. As a result, the plan was a success - the Elector ascended the Polish throne under the name of Augustus II and gave his word to act jointly against the Turks.
Great Embassy 1697-1698
The Azov campaigns clearly proved the importance of the fleet and artillery for warfare. Peter I understood that in technological terms the Russian kingdom was significantly behind the advanced Western states - he wanted to personally see the advanced technologies for the production of weapons and ships, and get acquainted with the traditions of Europe. In addition, it was necessary to find allies to wage wars against Turkey and Sweden for the right to gain access to the seas. This trip, undertaken by Peter I at the beginning of his reign, had a significant impact on the future fate of the tsar and radically changed cultural life in Russia.
Streltsy riot of 1698
The uprising of the Moscow archers during the stay of Peter I in the Great Embassy, with a total number of more than 2 thousand people, is justified by historians by the hardships of military campaigns, insufficient salaries and the appointment of foreign officers to senior military positions. Princess Sophia planned to take advantage of events and regain her lost power.
PETER I ALEXEEVICH (THE GREAT)(05/30/1672-01/28/1725) - Tsar from 1682, first Russian Emperor from 1721.
Peter I was the youngest son of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich from his second marriage to N.K. Naryshkina.
At the end of April 1682, after the death of Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich, ten-year-old Peter was declared tsar. After the Streltsy uprising in May 1682, during which several relatives of the young tsar died, two tsars ascended the throne at the same time - Peter and his older brother Ivan, the son of Alexei Mikhailovich from his first marriage to M. Miloslavskaya. But by the state in 1682-1689. in fact, it was their elder sister, Princess Sofya Alekseevna, who ruled. The Miloslavskys ruled the Kremlin and took young Peter and his mother from there to the village of Preobrazhenskoye near Moscow. The young king devoted all his time to “military fun.” In Preobrazhenskoye and in the neighboring village of Semenovskoye, he created two “amusing” regiments. Later, the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments became the first guards units in Russia.
Peter made friends with many foreigners who lived in the German settlement, not far from Preobrazhenskoye. Communicating with the Germans, British, French, Swedes, Danes, Peter became more and more convinced that Russia was significantly behind Western Europe. He saw that in his homeland science and education were not so developed, there was no strong army, there was no navy. The Russian state, huge in its territory, had almost no influence on the life of Europe.
In January 1689, Peter’s wedding took place with Evdokia Lopukhina; in 1690, a son, Alexei Petrovich, was born into this marriage. In the summer of 1689, the archers began to prepare a new uprising against Peter I. The young tsar fled in fear to the Trinity-Sergius Monastery, but it turned out that most of the troops went over to his side. The instigators of the uprising were executed, and Princess Sophia was removed from power. Peter and Ivan became independent rulers. The sickly Ivan almost did not take part in government activities, and in 1696, after his death, Peter I became the sovereign tsar.
Peter received his first baptism of fire in the war with Turkey in 1695-1696. during the Azov campaigns. Then Azov, Turkey’s stronghold on the Black Sea, was taken. In a more convenient and deeper bay, Peter founded the new harbor of Taganrog.
In 1697-1698. With the Great Embassy, under the name of Peter Mikhailov, the Tsar visited Europe for the first time. He studied shipbuilding in Holland, met with the sovereigns of various European powers, and hired many specialists to serve in Russia.
In the summer of 1698, when Peter was in England, a new Streltsy uprising broke out. Peter urgently returned from abroad and brutally dealt with the archers. He and his associates personally cut off the heads of the archers.
Over time, Peter turned from a hot-tempered youth into a grown man. His height exceeded two meters. Constant physical labor further developed his natural strength, and he became a real strongman. Peter was educated person. He had deep knowledge of history, geography, shipbuilding, fortification, and artillery. He loved to make things with his own hands. No wonder they called him “the carpenter king.” Already in his youth he knew up to fourteen crafts, and over the years he acquired a lot of technical knowledge.
Peter loved fun, jokes, feasts and feasts, which sometimes lasted for several days. In moments of thought, he preferred a quiet office and a pipe to tobacco. Even in adulthood, Peter remained very active, impetuous and restless. His companions could barely keep up with him, skipping. But the turbulent events of his life, the shocks of his childhood and youth, affected Peter’s health. At the age of twenty, his head began to shake, and during excitement, convulsions passed through his face. He often had nervous attacks and bouts of unjustified anger. IN good mood Peter bestowed the richest gifts on his favorites. But his mood could change dramatically in a few seconds. And then he became uncontrollable, he could not only scream, but also use his fists or a baton. Since the 1690s Peter began to carry out reforms in all areas of Russian life. He used the experience of Western European countries in the development of industry, trade, and culture. Peter emphasized that his main concern was “the benefit of the Fatherland.” His words spoken to the soldiers on the eve of the Poltava battle became famous: " The hour has come that will decide the fate of the Fatherland. And so you should not think that you are fighting for Peter, but for the state entrusted to Peter, for your family, for the Fatherland, for Orthodox faith and the church... And about Peter, know that life is not dear to him, if only Russia lived in bliss and glory, for your well-being".
Peter sought to create a new, powerful Russian Empire, which would become one of the strongest, richest and most enlightened states in Europe. In the 1st quarter XVIII century Peter changed the system of government: instead of the Boyar Duma, the Senate was created, in 1708-1715. carried out provincial reform, in 1718-1721. orders were replaced by collegiums. Were created regular army and navy, conscription and compulsory military service for nobles were introduced. By the end of Peter's reign, about a hundred plants and factories were operating, and Russia began to export industrial goods: iron, copper and linen. Peter cared about the development of culture and education: many educational institutions, the civil alphabet was adopted, the Academy of Sciences was founded (1725), theaters appeared, new printing houses were equipped, in which more and more new books were printed. The first was published in 1703 Russian newspaper"Vedomosti". Foreign specialists were invited from Europe: engineers, craftsmen, doctors, officers. Peter sent Russian youths abroad to study sciences and crafts. In 1722, the Table of Ranks was adopted - legislative act, who brought all government officials into the system. Service became the only way to obtain a government rank.
Since 1700, a new calendar was introduced in Russia from the Nativity of Christ and the celebration of the New Year on January 1, adopted in Western Europe. On May 16, 1703, on one of the islands at the mouth of the Neva River, Peter I founded the fortress of St. Petersburg. In 1712, St. Petersburg officially became the new capital of Russia.
Stone houses were built there, and the streets began to be paved with stones for the first time in Russia.
Peter began to pursue a policy of limiting church power, church properties were transferred to the state. Since 1701, property issues were removed from the jurisdiction of the church. In 1721, the power of the patriarch was replaced by the power of the Synod, a collegial body that headed the church administration. The Synod reported directly to the sovereign.
After concluding peace with Turkey in 1700, Peter I considered the main task in the field of foreign policy to be the fight with Sweden for access to the Baltic Sea. In the summer of 1700, Russia entered into the war, which became known as the Northern War. During the Northern War (1700-1721), Peter showed himself to be a talented commander and a wonderful strategist. He beat the Swedish army several times - the best in Europe at that time.
The king repeatedly demonstrated personal courage. On May 7, 1703, near the Nyenschanz fortress, Russian soldiers under his command in thirty boats captured two Swedish ships. For this feat, Peter was awarded the highest order in Russian state- Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. On June 27, 1709, during the Battle of Poltava, the tsar personally led one of the battalions of the Novgorod regiment and did not allow the Swedish troops to break through. Northern War ended with the signing of the Treaty of Nystadt between Sweden and Russia. Russia retained all the Baltic lands it had conquered (Estonia, Livonia, Courland, Ingermanland) and the opportunity to have a fleet in the Baltic Sea. Victory in the Northern War turned Russia into a powerful power with borders from the Baltic to the Sea of Okhotsk. Now all European states had to reckon with it.
In 1710-1713 Russia took part in the war with Turkey. In 1711, Peter I led the Prut campaign, which ended in failure. Russia ceded the city of Azov to Turkey, and also promised to demolish the fortresses of Taganrog, Bogoroditsk and Kamenny Zaton. As a result Persian campaign 1722-1723 Russia acquired land on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea.
On October 22, 1721, the Senate presented Peter I with the title of Emperor of All Russia, the title “Great” and “Father of the Fatherland.” Since then, all Russian sovereigns began to be called emperors, and Russia turned into the Russian Empire.
Petrine reforms had not only positive consequences. In the 1st quarter XVIII century A powerful bureaucratic system of state governance developed, subordinate only to the will of the king. On for many years In the Russian state apparatus, the dominance of foreigners was established, whom the tsar often trusted more than Russian subjects.
Peter's reforms and many years of war depleted the country's economy and placed a heavy burden on the working population of Russia. Peasants were forced to work more and more in corvee labor, and factory workers were permanently assigned to factories. Thousands of ordinary peasants and working people died from hunger, disease, under the whip of overseers at shipyards, during the construction of new fortresses and cities.
In 1718-1724. A tax reform was carried out, which increased the tax burden by 1.5-2 times. In addition, this reform led to even greater enslavement of the peasants. During the reign of Peter there were several major popular uprisings: in Astrakhan (1705-1706), on the Don, Slobodskaya Ukraine, the Volga region (1707-1708), in Bashkiria (1705-1711). The church policy of Peter I was also ambiguous. The complete subordination of the church to the state and the weakening of the role of the Orthodox clergy led to the destruction of traditional spiritual values. Peter's actions caused a negative reaction in the upper strata of Russian society. Peter sharply broke the usual way of life of the Russian people, especially the nobles. They had difficulty getting used to assemblies and refused to shave their beards or go to theaters. The tsar's son and heir, Alexei Petrovich, did not accept Peter's reforms. Accused of plotting against the tsar, in 1718 he was deprived of the throne and sentenced to death.
The tsar's first wife, Evdokia Lopukhina, was sent to a monastery. In 1703, the tsar’s wife became a simple peasant woman, Marta Skavronskaya, who took the name of Catherine in Orthodox baptism. But the official wedding took place only in 1712. Several children were born in this marriage, but the sons died in infancy, two daughters survived - Anna (the mother of the future emperor Peter III) and Elizabeth, the future Empress Elizaveta Petrovna. In 1724, in the Assumption Cathedral, Peter I placed the imperial crown on the head of his wife.
In 1722, Peter I, who by that time had no male heirs, adopted a decree on succession to the throne: the heir was appointed at the will of the “ruling sovereign,” and the sovereign, having appointed an heir, could change his decision if he discovered that the heir did not justify hope. This decree laid the foundations for the palace coups of the 18th century. and became the reason for drawing up forged wills of sovereigns. In 1797, Paul I canceled the decree.
In the last months of his life, Peter was very ill and spent most of his time in bed. Before his death, the emperor did not have time to draw up a will and transfer power to his successor. On January 28, 1725, Peter I died as a result of illness. He was buried in Peter's Cathedral.
Biography of Peter I begins on 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 the large family of Alexei Mikhailovich. From the age of one he was raised 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
Alexey I Mikhailovich Romanov Mother
Natalya Kirillovna Naryshkina Nikita Zotov received active participation in raising the young prince, but Peter was initially not interested in science and was not literate.
V. O. Klyuchevsky noted:
“More than once you can hear the opinion that Peter I was brought up not in the old way, but 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 the German. Over the years, Petra's nursery becomes filled with military items. A whole arsenal of toy weapons appears in it. Thus, in Peter’s nursery, Moscow artillery was quite fully represented; we see many wooden arquebuses and cannons with horses.” Even foreign ambassadors brought toy and real weapons as gifts to the prince. “In his spare time, he loved to listen to different stories and look at books with kunsts (pictures).”
The revolt of 1682 and the rise 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 on 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 its own candidate, however, the boyar duma had to make the final decision and most of the boyars decided to make Peter king, since Ivan was a sickly child. On the day of Fyodor Alekseevich’s death, April 27, 1682, Peter was proclaimed tsar.
Not wanting to lose power, the Miloslavskys started a rumor that the Naryshkins had strangled Tsarevich Ivan Alekseevich. Under the sounds of the alarm, many archers burst into the Kremlin, breaking the defense of the few royal guards. However, to their confusion, Tsarina Natalya appeared towards them from the Red Porch along with the princes Ivan and Peter. Ivan answered the questions of the archers:
“No one is harassing me, and I have no one to complain about”
Tsarina Natalya goes 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 Streltsy killed several boyars, many from the Naryshkin clan and Streltsy leaders. 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 submitted several petitions (in fact, these were more likely not requests, but an ultimatum) so that Ivan would also be appointed tsar (and the eldest one at that), and Sophia as the ruler-regent. In addition, they demanded to legitimize the riot and abandon the prosecution of its instigators, recognizing their actions as legitimate and protecting the interests of the state. The Patriarch and the Boyar Duma were forced to comply with the demands of the Streltsy, and on June 25, Ivan V and Peter I were crowned kings.
Princess Sophia watches with pleasure as the archers drag out Ivan Naryshkin, Tsarevich Peter calms 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 version, the nervous convulsions distorting his face during excitement appeared shortly after the experience. In addition, this rebellion and the next one, in 1698, finally convinced the tsar of the need to disband the streltsy units.
Natalya Kirillovna considered that it was very unsafe to remain 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 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 his first “amusing” detachment in the fall of 1683. By the next year, the “amusing city” of Presburg had already been rebuilt in Preobrazhenskoye, next to the royal palace. Peter received military training along 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 Peter’s feet near his bed. Being almost constantly under the tsar, Menshikov became one of his main comrades-in-arms, especially his confidant in all the most important matters relating to the governance of the vast country. Alexander Menshikov received an excellent education and, like Peter I, received a certificate of shipbuilding training 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 coordinating this decision with Peter himself. The queen hoped that the Lopukhin family, although not considered particularly 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 full-fledged and of full age, which gave Peter I the right to get rid of the princess-regent Sophia.
Evdokia Fedorovna Lopukhina
During the first three years of this marriage, two sons were born: the younger Alexander died in infancy, and the eldest Tsarevich Alexei, born in 1690, will be deprived of his life by order of Peter I himself somewhere in the dungeons Peter and Paul Fortress St. Petersburg.
Accession of Peter I - removal of Sophia
The Second Crimean Campaign of 1689, led by Sophia's favorite, Prince Golitsyn, was unsuccessful. General dissatisfaction with her rule added to seventeen-year-old Peter's chances of returning the throne - his mother and her faithful people began preparations for Sophia's removal.
In the summer of 1689, Peter's mother called Peter from Pereslyavl to Moscow. At this turning point in his fate, Peter begins to show Sophia his own power. He sabotaged the religious procession planned for July of this year, forbidding Sophia to participate in it, and after she refused to obey, he left, thus causing a public scandal. At the end of July, he barely succumbed to persuasion to give awards to participants 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 open confrontation, but both sides did not show initiative, completely concentrating on defense.
Sophia's last attempt to retain power
It is unknown whether Sophia decided to openly oppose her brother, or whether she was frightened by rumors that Peter I with his amusing regiments was planning to arrive in Moscow to remove her sister from power - on August 7, the princess’s henchmen began to agitate the archers in favor of Sophia. The tsar's supporters, seeing such preparations, immediately informed him of the danger, and Peter, accompanied by three guides, galloped away from the village of Preobrazhenskoye to the monastery of the Trinity Lavra. Starting from August 8, the remaining Naryshkins and all of Peter’s supporters, as well as his amusing army, begin to gather at 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 the armament and agitation on August 7, as well as messengers from each of the rifle regiments. Having forbidden the archers to send elected officials, Sophia sent Patriarch Joachim to her brother for trial, but the patriarch, loyal to the prince, did not return back 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 developing in favor of her brother, the princess decides to go to him herself, but already on the road they convince her to return, warning that if she comes to 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 brother, the time has come for both of our persons to rule the kingdom entrusted to us by God themselves, since we have come to the measure of our age, and we do not deign to allow the third shameful person, our sister, with our two male persons, to be in titles and in the dispensation of affairs... It’s shameful, sir, at our perfect age, for that shameful person to own the state bypassing us.”
Ivan V Alekseevich
Princess Sofya Alekseevna in the Novodevichy Convent
Thus, Peter I expressed an unequivocal desire to take the reins of government in own hands. Left without people willing to take risks for her, Sophia was forced to obey Peter’s demands and retire to the Holy Spirit Monastery, and then move even further, to the Novodevichy Convent.
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; Natalya Kirillovna ruled until 1694, after which Peter I himself ruled.
The fate of Tsar Peter I after his accession
First lover
Peter quickly lost interest in his wife and in 1692 he met Anna Mons in the German settlement, with the assistance of Lefort. While his mother was still alive, the king did not show open antipathy towards his wife. However, Natalya Kirillovna herself, shortly before her own death, became disillusioned with her daughter-in-law, due to 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 a 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 dissatisfied with Peter's policies.
Alleged portrait of Anna Mons
According to some researchers, before Anna Mons became Peter's favorite in 1692, she was in a relationship with Lefort.
Returning from the Grand Embassy in August 1698, Peter I visited the house of Anna Mons, and already on September 3 sent his legal spouse to the Suzdal Intercession Monastery. There were rumors that the king was even planning to officially marry his mistress - she was so dear to him.
House of Anna Mons in the German Settlement in the painting by Alexandre Benois.
The Tsar presented her with expensive jewelry or intricate items (for example, a miniature portrait of the sovereign, decorated with diamonds worth 1 thousand rubles); and even built a stone one for her with government money two-story house in the German settlement.
Great fun hike Kozhukhovsky
Miniature from a manuscript of the 1st half of the 18th century “The History of Peter I”, written by P. Krekshin. Collection of A. Baryatinsky. State Historical Museum. 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 conduct his first large-scale exercises - for this purpose, a small wooden fortress was built on the banks of the Moscow River near the village of Kozhukhovo. It was a regular pentagonal parapet with loopholes, embrasures and could accommodate a garrison of 5,000 people. 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 staff the garrison, they gathered the archers, as well as all the clerks, nobles, clerks and other service people who were nearby. The archers had to defend the fortress, and the amusing regiments carried out an assault and carried out siege work - they dug tunnels and trenches, blew up fortifications, and climbed walls.
Patrick Gordon, who drew up both the plan for 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 Kozhukhov campaign became the final stage of the military practical training of Peter I under the leadership of P. Gordon, which lasted from 1690.
The first conquests - the siege of Azov
The urgent need for trade routes in the Black Sea waters for the state's economy 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 with Turkey within the Holy League. However, instead of the previously failed attempts to march on the Crimea, he decides to advance south, near Azov, which was not conquered in 1695, but after the additional construction of a flotilla, which 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” Russia's subsequent struggle against the Ottoman Empire within the framework of an agreement with the Holy League lost its meaning - the War of the Spanish Succession began in Europe, 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 Pyotr Mikhailov, with the rank of bombardier. According to the original plan, the embassy was 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 about the uprising of the Streltsy in 1698.
Start of the journey
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 this. The Tsar, in anger, called Riga a “cursed place,” and when leaving after the embassy to Mitava, he wrote and sent home the following lines about Riga:
We drove through the city and the castle, where 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 it is not finished. They are very afraid here, and they are not allowed into the city and other places with a guard, and they are not very pleasant.
Peter I in Holland.
Arriving in the Rhine on August 7, 1697, Peter I descended 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. Without devoting much time to Amsterdam, Peter rushed to a city with many shipyards and shipbuilders' workshops - Zaandam. Upon his arrival, he signed up as an apprentice at the Linst Rogge shipyard under the name Pyotr Mikhailov.
In Zaandam, Peter lived on Krimp Street in a small wooden house. Eight days later the king moved to Amsterdam. The mayor 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 shipyards and the process of building ships, on September 9 the Dutch laid the foundation for a new ship (the frigate “Peter and Pavel”), in the construction of which Pyotr 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 Tsardom - the army and future fleet were in dire need of re-equipping and equipping.
In Holland, Peter became acquainted with many different innovations: local workshops and factories, whaling ships, hospitals, orphanages - the tsar carefully studied Western experience to apply it in his homeland. Peter studied the mechanism of a windmill and visited a stationery factory. He attended lectures on anatomy in Professor Ruysch's anatomy office and expressed a special interest in the embalming of corpses. In the anatomical theater of Boerhaave, Peter participated in the dissection of corpses. Inspired by Western developments, a few years later Peter will create the first Russian museum of curiosities - the Kunstkamera.
In four and a half months, Peter managed to study a lot, but his Dutch mentors did not live up to the king’s hopes; he described the reason for his dissatisfaction as follows:
At the East India Dockyard, having devoted himself with other volunteers to the study of naval 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 ship’s proportions, which he showed him four days later. But since in Holland there is no such mastery of perfection in a geometric way, but only some principles, other things from long-term practice, which the above-mentioned bass said, and that he cannot show everything on a drawing, then he became disgusted that such a long way for I perceived this, but did not achieve the desired end. And for several days His Majesty happened to be in the country yard of the merchant Jan Tessing in company, where he sat much sadder for the reason described above, but when between conversations he was asked why he was so sad, then he announced that reason. In that company there was one Englishman who, hearing this, said that here in England this architecture was as perfect as any other, and that one could learn it in a short time. This word made His Majesty very happy, so he immediately went to England and there, four months later, he completed his studies.
Peter I in England
Having received a personal invitation from William III at the beginning of 1698, Peter I went to England.
Having visited London, the tsar spent most of his three months 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 inspected everything that was connected with production and industry: arsenals, docks, workshops, and visited warships of the English fleet, getting acquainted with their structure. Museums and cabinets of curiosities, 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 art gallery of Kensington Palace without attention, 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 that later became an example to follow - most of the images of Peter I that were widespread in Europe during the 18th century were made in Kneller's style.
Returning back to Holland, Peter was unable to find allies to fight against the Ottoman Empire and headed to Vienna, to the Austrian Habsburg dynasty.
Peter I in Austria
On the way to Vienna, the capital of Austria, Peter received news of plans by 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 offered only to preserve 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 Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I and planned to leave for Venice, but news was received from Moscow about the mutiny of the Streltsy and the trip was cancelled.
Meeting of Peter I with the King of the Polish-Lithuanian 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 Polish-Lithuanian 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
Having assessed the prospects, Peter I decided to focus on the Baltic Sea instead of the Black Sea. Today, centuries later, it is difficult to overestimate the importance of this decision - the conflict between Russia and Sweden, which resulted in the Northern War of 1700-1721, became one of the bloodiest and most debilitating in the entire existence of Russia.
(to be continued)
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 the age of one he was raised by nannies. And after the death of his father, at the age of four, his half-brother and new Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich became Peter’s guardian.
From the age of 5, little Peter began to be taught the alphabet. The clerk N. M. Zotov gave him lessons. However, the future king received a weak education and was not literate.
Coming to power
In 1682, after the death of Fyodor Alekseevich, 10-year-old Peter and his brother Ivan were proclaimed kings. But in fact, their elder sister, Princess Sofya Alekseevna, took over the management.
At this time, Peter and his mother were forced to move away from the yard and move to the village of Preobrazhenskoye. Here Peter 1 developed an interest in military activities; he created “amusing” regiments, which later became the basis of the Russian army. He is interested in firearms and shipbuilding. He spends a lot of time in the German settlement, becomes a fan of European life, and makes friends.
In 1689, Sophia was removed from the throne, and power passed to Peter I, and the management of the country was entrusted to his mother and uncle L.K. Naryshkin.
Rule of the Tsar
Peter continued the war with Crimea and took the fortress of Azov. Next steps 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 of creating political unions. He studies shipbuilding, structure, and culture of other countries. Returned to Russia after news of the Streltsy mutiny. As a result of the trip, he wanted to change Russia, for which several innovations were made. For example, chronology according to the Julian calendar was introduced.
To develop trade, access to the Baltic Sea was required. 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 and Nyenschanz. In May 1703, construction of St. Petersburg began. Next year, Narva and Dorpat were taken. In June 1709 in Battle of Poltava Sweden was defeated. Soon after the death of Charles XII, peace was concluded between Russia and Sweden. New lands were annexed to Russia, and access to the Baltic Sea was gained.
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 and the shores of the Caspian Sea were conquered.
Peter I carried out military reform several times. It mainly 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 carried out church reform, financial reform, transformations in industry, culture, and trade. In education, he also carried out a number of reforms aimed at mass education: he opened many schools for children and the first gymnasium in Russia (1705).
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 of the 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 vital 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 is the Bronze Horseman in St. Petersburg.
Brief biography of Peter I
Peter I Alekseevich - the first All-Russian Emperor; representative of the Romanov dynasty; the youngest son of the Russian Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and Natalya Kirillovna Naryshkina. Born June 9, 1672; At the age of ten, he and his brother Ivan were already proclaimed tsar. Since childhood, Peter had a penchant for science and a foreign lifestyle. He is one of the first Russian tsars to make a long tour of Western Europe. Formally, the education of the future ruler began in 1677. Deacon N. Zotov was appointed his teacher.
The Tsarevich studied willingly and smartly, and was interested in historical books and manuscripts. At the age of four he lost his father, and guardianship was transferred to his then reigning stepbrother Fedor Alekseevich. The actual management was in the hands of their elder sister Sofia Alekseevna. Peter and his mother were temporarily removed from the court and lived in Preobrazhenskoye, where they discovered a lot of new things in the field of military affairs. He was interested in shipbuilding and creating “amusing” regiments, which he later introduced into the Russian army.
Living in the German settlement, he made many new friends and became a fan of the European way of life. After Sophia was removed from the throne, power passed into the hands of 17-year-old Peter, although he became the official ruler only in 1721. By that time, he spoke excellently in several European languages (German, English, Dutch, French), mastered many crafts (blacksmithing, carpentry, gunsmithing, lathe), was physically quite strong and active, and showed a healthy interest in state affairs. During the years of his reign, this Russian ruler carried out many reforms and transformations.
He expanded the ownership rights of landowners, built new cities, fortresses and canals, signed a decree on single inheritance, secured noble ownership of land, and established a procedure for the promotion of ranks. The king's foreign policy was aimed at finding allies in the fight against the Ottomans. Soon, however, a peace treaty was concluded with Turkey, and in order to gain access to the Baltic Sea, Peter I started a war with Sweden. The Northern War lasted from 1700 to 1721. Under Peter I, the first gymnasium was opened in Russia. During his reign, he carried out not only military reforms, but also economic, scientific and educational ones.
This king introduced enlightenment to the masses and created a powerful navy. By his order in Central Asia, various expeditions were sent to Siberia and the Far East. Well, the main achievement, of course, was the founding of St. Petersburg in 1703. Peter I was married twice and had three children: a son from his first marriage and two daughters from his second. In addition to them, there were eight more children who died in infancy. The successor to the sovereign's work in 1741 was the daughter of Catherine I (Martha Skavronskaya) - Elizaveta I Petrovna. The emperor himself died in February 1725 from a long illness and was buried in the Peter and Paul Cathedral.
