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An absolute monarch is a king or queen who is completely and totally in control over every aspect of the life of his people. The period of exploration and discovery in Europe (i. e. the 1400 s through the 1700 s) was a time of many absolute monarchs. Many of them were great examples of this, but none exemplified the qualities of an absolute monarch quite like Peter the Great of Russia. Peter changed the way all of Russia operated by changing the way it was ruled.
He knew that his country was behind the rest of the world in culture and in technology. He also knew that the countries that were leading the world were those to the west, so he did everything he could to westernize his people. Peter took over the throne after a power struggle among the ruling family, however he was only 10 years of age when he gained control. He was forced to rule with his mentally retarded half brother, Ivan. He did not gain complete control until after his mothers death. Peters first move to westernize his country was to go out into the world and bring back the culture and technology of the outside world, something no other ruler of his country had ever done.
He brought back with him hundreds of workers from the Netherlands and England to improve the technology of his country. Though Peter was very concerned with the well being of his country, he was also very strict. When he returned, he put down a revolt by ordering the public massacre of 1, 200 rebels. Peter then began to rebuild his army. He armed his soldiers with the technology he brought back from his journey and they were trained by the best of the West for their long war against Sweden. Thanks to Peters leadership and the new technology that he brought into his country, the Russians defeated the Swedes and gained territory.
The result of this treaty that ended this war was to give Peters nation control over area along the Gulf of Finland, which is where the city of St. Petersburg was established. A great part of this victory was due to the new Russian navy, which Peter established. If it had not been for Peter re-training and supplying the army with weapons, and building the new navy, Russian would surely have been routed in the war and possibly conquered by Sweden. The country progressed in leaps and bounds under Peter.
The women no longer had to wear veils, the men shaved their long beards, and the Arabic numeral system was finally adopted. The first newspaper in Russian history was published, and the European calendar introduced. He also changed the way the church was run. When the head of the church died, a new patriarch was appointed. Instead, the czar (in this case, Peter) took over control of the church, and he further affirmed his control over every aspect of Russian life.
He also made an attempt to make the nobles work for the state. He made all nobles serve time in the army or government, and he raised taxes in order to pay for his changes. Peter the Great took over control of his country, and drastically changed everything he could. He realized that instead of progressing in technology and customs, his country was at a virtual standstill. He knew he had to make drastic changes, and fast. He brought in the technology and ideas of the leading countries in the world and transformed his country into a power in Europe.
He is the definition of an absolute monarch, because every single aspect of the lives of his people in Russia were controlled or changed by him. He controlled religion, military, academics and learning, and even moved the capital city just because he didnt like Moscow. He had absolute control and power over everything in the country. He was totally above the law, because he was able to arrange the killing of 1, 200 rebels and nothing was done. An absolute monarch must effect every part of the life of his people, and few if any did it to the degree that Peter the Great did.
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Research essay sample on Peter The Great Absolute Monarch
