Peter the Great Essay

Peter the Great has the court of Russia under his belt once he took the throne in 1672, although his journey to the top was not the easiest task. Russia was the backwash to all Europeans. The union looked down on the country because the way they act. Peter the Great led Russia to recognition in the European community. But his journey begins with him and his older stepbrother taking throne as co-Tsars. Ivan was older at 16 as his younger step brother was six years younger than he was, although age is not everything. Peter was big for his age and compared to his older step brother he appeared older. Even a boyard of Alexei’s court did not believe he was the younger child, he claimed that Peter was older than Ivan (Massie 246).The End of Alexsei and Theodore were over thus dawned a new russian era, the era of Peter and Ivan. During this era Peter led Russia to be in the European communal system by imitating the political, religious and social structures that Europe has used to also become successful.
Russia was in the middle of a crisis and does not know who to put on the throne, there are two options Peter I and his brother Ivan. Ivan was blind and epileptic and did not seem he could hold the throne long enough, and Peter was too seemed too young at the age of ten. Finally the court decides that the two young men should co-rule so when Ivan did pass on there would not be a huge fight for who got the throne. They were still co-tsars but the court felt they were still young, Peter at 10 and Ivan at 16 (Ascher 16). They introduce their older sister Sofia to make the country’s decisions (Massie 65). The co-tsars seem obsolete but are still needed to sign significant documents. When Ivan does die the path for Peter was wide open to take control. He expands his land, conquers Sweden, and opens the world of Europe for the new country of Russia. The start of a revelation has started the power of Peter and Ivan. Due to Ivan’s physical disability people did not expect him to last very long on the throne. Ivan surprised the boyards of the russian court. He managed to last 16 years on the throne before passing away. After that the possibilities were endless for Peter. He wants to start working on endless projects but need to construct a proper government. He travels to Western europe in disguise just to record what they do differently, and what make that part of the continent so successful (Ascher 53).There was only one problem Peter thought he would be recognized so he decided to travel incognito. It was impressing, locals from other countries did not recognize him, because of his size. His travels are extensive. He goes all the way over to the other side of Europe to see the clockwork to see how they tick. In England he learns about central government and learns why his country is not liked as much as he might have wished. He found out that the people of Russia were to barbaric to but suitable for Europe's prestigious and elite community. Peter notices subtle and dramatic differences that England uses to rule their land. Local government was a significant matter Peter found out in his journey. He starts to localize government. In January 1699, towns were allowed to elect their own officials, collect revenue and stimulate trade. The gift of greater powers of local government was deliberately done in an effort to reduce the power of provincial governments. The work of local government was co-ordinated by the Ratusha, a German word, literally translating as "council house", often rendered as "city hall" or "town based, in Moscow (Massie 425). In 1702, towns were governed by an elective board which replaced the old system of elected sheriffs. By 1724, this was again changed so that towns could govern themselves through elected guilds of better off citizens. On paper these reforms were fine. But in reality the power of the local landlord and the provincial governor was immense and difficult to break. Peters focus did not

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