Peter the Great / Paul Bushkovitch.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bushkovitch, Paul.

Series:

Critical issues in history

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Peter I, Emperor of Russia, 1672-1725.

Peter.

Russia--Kings and rulers--Biography.

Russia.

Kings and rulers.

Russia--History--Peter I, 1689-1725.

History.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

xii, 187 pages ; 22 cm.

Place of Publication:

Lanham, MD : Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, [2001]

Summary:

Centuries after he ruled Russia from 1689 to 1725, Peter the Great remains one of the most revered and enigmatic leaders in world history. This penetrating study by noted Yale historian Paul Bushkovitch casts new light on Peter and his times, and demonstrates why it is impossible to comprehend the later course of Russian history without first grasping Peter's profound influence. Bushkovitch illustrates how Peter, during his thirty-six years as tsar, transformed his country into a modern nation -- he strengthened the state, reorganized the army, established a navy, and conquered new territories. In addition to these momentous achievements, Peter changed the face of the Russian character by introducing European culture, scientific innovations, and political thought to Russia. His influence ultimately paved the way for liberalism, Western style nationalism, and communism. In the end, neither his contemporaries nor generations of future historians can agree on how Peter should be remembered: was he a heroic reformer who brought Russia into the modern age, or a violent despot who valued the ideas of foreigners over Russian heritage?

Contents:

1 Russia at the End of the Seventeenth Century 13

2 Tradition and Westernization 45

3 A Quarter-Century of Conflict, 1676-1699 77

4 The Era of Experimentation, 1700-1716 107

5 Crisis and Resolution, 1716-1725 139

6 Absolutism, Aristocracy, and Reform 169.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

0847696383

OCLC:

45829207