Despite being unsuccessful Peter defeated Sweden to take control over Estonia and Latvia, which are located on the shores of the Baltic Sea. He fought against the Ottoman Empire, but was unsuccessful.

By imposing taxes on the peasants he was allowed to amass a professional army of 200000 men that were equipped with modern muskets and artillery. The military though was Peter’s main concern. During the reform the Russian Orthodox Church began to object to the changes so Peter attacked the church’s wealth and power. Because of this he imposed taxes on the peasants, which paid for the military. He invited Western advisors and technicians to Russia to help institute a government protection for industries and commercial enterprises.

After Peter visited Western Europe early in power, he began to model the Russian Empire similarly to the Western technology, military organization, and political practice. Peter 1 or Peter “the Great” was an energetic and ruthless leader. Russian Absolutism – Peter the Great and Catherine the Great

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