Peter the Great

Peter the Great (1672-1725) was a Russian Tsar who ruled from 1682 until his death. He transformed Russia into a major European power and laid the foundations for the Russian Empire. Peter implemented wide-ranging reforms in government, the military, and society, introducing Western customs and technology. He founded St. Petersburg as a new capital and "window to Europe." Peter's reign marked the beginning of Russian imperial expansion, with significant territorial gains through wars with Sweden and the Ottoman Empire. He created Russia's first navy, enabling further imperial ambitions. Peter's policies of westernization and territorial expansion set the stage for Russia's emergence as a dominant force in European affairs in the 18th and 19th centuries. [ClaudeAi, edited]