The Reforms of Peter the Great

During the late 17th and early 18th century Peter the Great instituted a series of reforms aimed to make Russia into a modern European state. The government and army were reformed under the supervision of advisors from Western Europe and Peter, dreaming of making Russia a maritime power sought to take control of the Baltic and Black Sea coasts. The drastic reforms met strong opposition as people were affronted by the sudden dispense of their traditional life and traditions and were followed by several uprisings.