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Russia Engages the World, 1453-1825
1453 Through the Reign of Ivan the Terrible (1533-1584) The Time of Troubles to the First Romanovs (1598-1682) Peter the Great and His Legacy (1682-1762) The Age of Catherine the Great (1762-1801) The Reign of Emperor Alexander I (1801-1825)

                                     

Explore this Section:

Peter the Great and His Legacy (1682–1762): A Summary of Russian History
Russia Symbol Introduction
Russia Symbol The Early Years
Russia Symbol The Drive Toward Westernization
Russia Symbol The Drive Toward Empire
Russia Symbol The Historical Assessment
Russia Symbol Immediate Successors
Russia Symbol The Reign of "the Daughter"
Peter the Great and His Legacy (1682–1762): A Summary of World History
Europe
Eurasia


Russia's Globalization:
A Key

Events marked Russia Symbol are specific to Muscovy/Russia's internal development.
Those marked World Symbol are important world historical or cultural events.
Engagement Symbol indicates specific points of sociocultural or military engagement between Muscovy/Russia and foreign powers or individuals.




















 

 


     

  Peter's Triumph
NYPL, Map Division

The reign of Peter the Great (1682–1725) proved a great watershed in Russian history. The timid attempts of Muscovite leaders to become more European were replaced by a structured drive toward westernization and globalization. Through war, Russia became a great European military power at a time when European states dominated the globe. Through more pacific contact, Russia also became a part of the European cultural world. In addition, Peter turned his attention to other parts of the globe, inaugurating a program of exploration and insisting that Russians learn Chinese, Japanese, and the languages of the native peoples of the empire. As the land opened up to Europe, Asia, and then the other continents, Russia and the Russians would lose their insularity and acquire a global perspective. Peter’s successors could not approach the talent of their forebear, but they generally continued the direction of his policies, emulating things French and German and expanding upon the program of exploration.

 

 

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