Reforms of public administration of Peter 1 table. Reforms of Peter I and their results

Convenient navigation through the article:

Reforms of public administration of Emperor Peter 1

Historians call Peter's reforms of central government the large-scale transformations of the state apparatus that took place during the reign of Peter the Great. The main innovations of the ruler are the creation of the Governing Senate, as well as the complete replacement of the system of orders by the Collegiums, and the formation of the royal Secret Office of the Holy Synod.

During Peter's accession to the throne, the key positions of government were occupied by the nobles, who received their rank by right of family name and origin. Peter, who came to power, understood that the established system of government was one of the weak links. That it is precisely this that is slowing down the country’s development.

The tsar's travels around Europe from 1697 to 1698 as part of the Grand Embassy allowed him to become familiar with the system of administrative bodies in European states. Based on them, he decides to carry out reforms in Russia.

With the beginning of Peter's rule, the Boyar Duma began to lose its power and subsequently turned into an ordinary bureaucratic department. From 1701, all its work was delegated to a new body called the "Concilia of Ministers", which was a council of heads of the most important government bodies. At the same time, it included many of the same boyars.

Two years before this, the Near Office is created, controlling the financial transactions of each order and making administrative decisions. All royal advisers were required to sign the most important documents and register these events in a special book of personal decrees.

Establishment of the Senate

On March 2, 1711, Peter the Great formed the so-called Governing Senate, which is the highest body of administrative, judicial and legislative power. The tsar entrusted all his responsibilities to this body during his absence, because frequent trips due to the Northern War could not cause a halt in the development of the state. At the same time, this administrative body was completely subordinate to the royal will and had a collegial structure, the members of which were personally selected by Peter. On February 22, 1711, a new additional post of fiscal was created, which was supposed to exercise additional supervision over officials during the tsar’s absence.

The formation and development of the collegiums occurs in the period from 1718 to 1726. In them the tsar saw an organ capable of replacing the outdated system of slow orders, which, for the most part, only duplicated each other’s functions.

When they appeared, the Collegiums completely absorbed orders, and in the period from 1718 to 1720, the presidents of the formed Collegiums were even senators and personally sat in the Senate. It should be noted that subsequently only the main Collegiums remained in the Senate:

• Foreign Affairs;
• Admiralty;
• Military.

The formation of the above-described system of collegiums completes the process of bureaucratization and centralization of the Russian state apparatus. The delimitation of departmental functions, as well as the general norms of activity regulated by the General Regulations, is the main difference between the updated Petrine apparatus and the previous management system.

General Regulations

By a royal decree of May 9, 1718, the presidents of the three boards were instructed to begin developing a document called the General Regulations, which would be a system of office management and based on the Swedish charter. This system later became known as the “college” system. In fact, the regulations approved a collegial way of discussing and resolving cases, as well as organizing office work and regulating relations with self-government bodies and the Senate.

On March 10, 1720, this document was approved and signed by the ruler of Russia, Peter the Great. The Charter included an introduction, as well as fifty-six chapters with general principles of operation of the apparatus of each government agency and various appendices for the interpretation of new foreign words that were in the text of the General Regulations.

Holy Synod

Before the end of the Northern War, Peter the Great begins to plan his church reforms. He orders Bishop Feofan Prokopovich to begin developing the Spiritual Regulations and on February 5, 1721, the tsar approves and signs the establishment of the Theological College, which will later become known as the “Holy Governing Synod.”

Each member of this body was obliged to personally swear allegiance to the king. On May 11, 1722, the post of Chief Prosecutor appeared, supervising the activities of the Synod and reporting all news to the ruler.

By creating the Synod, the sovereign introduced the church into the mechanism of the state, essentially likening it to one of the many existing administrative institutions at that time, endowed with certain functions and responsibilities.

Scheme of government under Peter I

Table: reforms of Peter I in the field of public administration

Date of reform	Contents of the reform
1704	The Boyar Duma was abolished
1711	The Senate was established (legislative, control and financial functions)
1700-1720	Abolition of the Patriarchate and creation of the Holy Synod
1708-1710	Local government reform. Creation of provinces
1714-1722	Creation of the prosecutor's office, introduction of the position of fiscal officers
1718-1721	Replacement of orders by collegiums
1722	Change in the system of succession to the throne (now the monarch himself appointed his successor)
1721	Proclamation of Russia as an empire

Scheme: local government after the management reforms of Peter I

Video lecture: Reforms of Peter I in the field of management

Test on the topic: Public administration reforms of Emperor Peter 1 Time limit: 0 Navigation (job numbers only) 0 of 4 tasks completed Information Check yourself! Historical test on the topic: Governance reforms of Peter I “ You have already taken the test before. You can't start it again. Test loading... You must log in or register in order to begin the test. You must complete the following tests to start this one: results Correct answers: 0 out of 4 Your time: Time is over You scored 0 out of 0 points (0) With answer With a viewing mark Task 1 of 4 1 . In what year was the government senate formed by Peter 1? Right Wrong Task 2 of 4

Convenient navigation through the article:

Russia in the era of transformations of Peter I

Considering the personality of the Russian Tsar Peter the Great, most modern historians come to the conclusion that it was this ruler who became the starting point for a new round of Russian development. And all this is thanks to the extraordinary character of the monarch, who was not afraid to use the experience of European countries. However, the era of Peter's transformations is, first of all, a period of many reforms that in a short moment changed the life of Russian society as a whole.

Prerequisites for Peter's reforms

Reasons for the transformations of Peter I

Among the main reasons for Peter's reforms, historians especially highlight the following factors that prompted Peter to begin reforms:

1. Russia lacks convenient access to the sea, which significantly complicates trade with other states.
2. Economic isolation of Russia.
3. Lack of large factories and industrial production.
4. There was no development of trade relations with other countries.
5. The parochial education system did not provide the country with the necessary professional personnel.
6. Russia lags behind Western countries in military-technical terms.

One of the most important was class reform, according to which society was officially divided into three main classes:

• city ​​residents;
• peasants;
• nobles

At the same time, nobles had to perform military service, starting their service with the same ranks as ordinary people. This suggested that those from the lower classes could achieve the highest ranks through their own diligence. The actual order of service degrees was regulated by order of Peter "Table of ranks", published in 1722 and establishing fourteen main ranks of civil and army service.

Interesting fact! Peter personally took part in editing the law, which was based on borrowings from the “schedules of ranks” of the French, Prussian, Swedish and Danish kingdoms.

An important change in peasant life was associated with the so-called tax reform of Peter the Great, which came into force in 1718, replacing the previous household method of taxation. Thus, the poll tax was introduced.

The above-described financial transformation had a strong social connotation, because from now on taxes were removed not only from peasants, but also from privately owned slaves who had not previously paid taxes. It was this situation that became decisive for the development of views on serfs as workers, not slaves.

Urban reform divided residents into “irregular” and “regular”, and also divided guilds and guilds by occupation. At the same time, Peter allowed the cities to choose their own mayors who were included in the town hall. At the end of the Peter the Great period, the latter turned into magistrates, elected from the “first-ranking residents” and had more rights.

Transformations in the military sphere

Peter's military reforms increased the importance of regular regiments, as a result of which the noble militias disappeared completely, and the army itself did not disband after military operations, remaining in a constant composition.

One of the most important introductions in the tsar's military reform was creation of a full-fledged Russian fleet, which consisted of eight hundred galleys, forty-eight ships and almost thirty thousand crew.

As state and administrative transformations of the state during the reign of Peter the Great, it is worth highlighting abolition of the boyars and the order system. Also, self-government of volosts and cities actually ceases to exist.

One of the most influential governing bodies was created - Governing Senate, whose members were chosen by the sovereign himself “not by last name, but by knowledge of the matter.”

In addition, the former Moscow orders, according to the Tsar's decree of 1718, are replaced according to the Swedish model by a dozen boards, each of which was in charge of a certain area of ​​affairs (financial control, trade, maritime affairs, etc.). At the same time, the tsar “takes away” power from the church, subordinating it to the state and abolishes the patriarchate. And the main church body becomes Holy Synod.

With the next administrative reform, the ruler divides the state into eight separate provinces, which themselves are divided into provinces and districts, headed by governors, voivodes or commandants with zemstvo commissars.

In addition to the above, it is worth noting Petrovsky law on single inheritance from 1722, which abolished the usual order of inheritance within the family. At the same time, Peter himself now had the right to choose to the throne whoever he considered necessary for the country.

During the longest Northern War, Peter continually introduced new indirect taxes (for example, on stamp paper, beards or oak coffins) to provide for the army. In addition, the Tsar abolishes the fiat ruble and introduces the kopeck. Also during this period, the position of profit-makers was introduced, indicating to the ruler possible areas for obtaining new funds.

Already at the end of Peter's reign, the tax system was significantly transformed. The former household tax is replaced by a capitation tax. Like many European rulers of that time, Peter tried to follow the principles of mercantilism in the economy. He develops industry in every possible way, building factories with treasury funds and assigning serfs to factories and factories.

Interesting fact! At the end of the reign of Peter 1, more than two hundred and thirty factories were operating in Russia.

Returning from a trip to Europe in 1698, the Tsar ordered the boyars to shave and the nobles to wear clothes in the European style to give the country a modern look. In addition, he tries to spread knowledge in society and is personally involved in editing the first periodical.

Complex church writing is simplified by an alphabet accessible to everyone, the Academy of Sciences and many schools (church and parish) are opened.

Table: transformations of Peter I in the economic sphere

Table: social transformations of Peter I

Table: transformations of Peter I in the field of trade

Table: transformations of Peter I in the field of culture

Table: Results of the transformations of Peter I

Results of the transformations of Peter I

A regime of absolutism has been established. During the years of his reign, Peter created a state with a more advanced management system, a strong army and navy, and a stable economy. There was a centralization of power

Rapid development of foreign and domestic trade

Creation of a regular army and navy

The abolition of the patriarchate, the church lost its independence

Transformations in the sphere of culture and science contributed to the growth of Russia

Strengthening the authority of the state

Video lecture: The inconsistency of the transformations of Peter I

Reforms of Peter I: a new page in the development of the Russian Empire.

Peter I can confidently be called one of the greatest Russian emperors, because it was he who began the necessary reorganization of all spheres of society, the army and the economy for the country, which played a significant role in the development of the empire.
This topic is quite extensive, but we will talk briefly about the reforms of Peter I.
The emperor carried out a number of important reforms at that time, which should be discussed in more detail. And so what reforms of Peter I changed the empire:
Regional reform
Judicial reform
Military reform
Church reform
Financial reform
And now it is necessary to talk about each of the reforms of Peter I more separately.

Regional reform

In 1708, the order of Peter I divided the entire empire into eight large provinces, which were led by governors. The provinces, in turn, were divided into fifty provinces.
This reform was carried out in order to strengthen the verticals of imperial power, as well as to improve the provision of the Russian army.

Judicial reform

The Supreme Court consisted of the Senate, as well as the College of Justice. There were still courts of appeal in the provinces. However, the main reform was that the court was now completely separated from the administration.

Military reform

The emperor paid special attention to this reform, as he understood that a state-of-the-art army was something without which the Russian Empire would not be able to become the strongest in Europe.
The first thing to be done was to reorganize the regimental structure of the Russian army according to the European model. In 1699, a massive recruitment was carried out, followed by exercises of the new army according to all the standards of the strongest armies of European states.
Perth I began vigorous training of Russian officers. If at the beginning of the eighteenth century foreign specialists held the officer ranks of the empire, then after the reforms their place began to be taken by domestic officers.
No less important was the opening of the first Maritime Academy in 1715, which later gave Russia a powerful fleet, but until that moment it did not exist. One year later, the emperor issued the Military Regulations, which regulated the duties and rights of soldiers.
As a result, in addition to a new powerful fleet consisting of battleships, Russia also received a new regular army, not inferior to the armies of European states.

Church reform

Quite serious changes took place in the church life of the Russian Empire. If earlier the church was an autonomous unit, then after the reforms it was subordinate to the emperor.
The first reforms began in 1701, but the church finally came under state control only in 1721 after the publication of a document called “Spiritual Regulations.” This document also said that during hostilities, church property could be confiscated for the needs of the state.
The secularization of church lands began, but only partially, and only Empress Catherine II completed this process.

Financial reform

The wars started by Emperor Peter I required huge funds, which at that time did not exist in Russia, and in order to find them, the emperor began to reform the financial system of the state.
At first, a tax was imposed on taverns, where they sold huge quantities of moonshine. In addition, lighter coins began to be minted, which meant the coins were damaged.
In 1704, the main currency became the penny, and not money as it was before.
If previously households were screwed with taxes, then after the reforms every soul was screwed with taxes - that is, every male resident of the Russian Empire. Such strata as the clergy, nobility and, of course, the Cossacks were exempt from paying the poll tax.
The financial reform can be considered successful, since it significantly increased the size of the imperial treasury. From 1710 to 1725, income increased threefold, which means quite a lot of success.

Reforms in industry and trade

The needs of the new army increased significantly, which is why the emperor was forced to begin active construction of manufactories. From abroad, the emperor attracted qualified specialists to reform industry.
In 1705, the first silver smelting plant began operating in Russia. In 1723, an ironworks began operating in the Urals. By the way, the city of Yekaterinburg now stands in its place.
After the construction of St. Petersburg, it became the commercial capital of the empire.

Education reform

The Emperor understood that Russia had to become an educated state, and paid special attention to this.
From 1701 to 1821, a large number of schools were opened: mathematics, engineering, artillery, medicine, navigation. The first maritime academy was opened in St. Petersburg. The first gymnasium was opened already in 1705.
In each province, the emperor built two completely free schools, where children could receive primary, compulsory education.
These were the reforms of Peter I and this is how they influenced the development of the Russian Empire. Many reforms are now considered not entirely successful, but one cannot deny the fact that after their implementation, Russia took a big step forward.

Began in the second half of the 17th century. The transformations found their logical conclusion in the reign of Peter I (son of Alexei Mikhailovich).

Peter was proclaimed king in 1682 g., but in reality there was a so-called “triple rule”, i.e. together with his brother Ivan and Princess Sophia, who concentrated all power in her hands. Peter and his mother lived in the villages of Preobrazhenskoye, Kolomenskoye, and Semenovskoye near Moscow.

IN 1689 Mr. Peter, with the support of many boyars, nobles and even the Moscow Patriarch, deprived Sophia of power, imprisoning her in a monastery. Until 1696 (until his death) Ivan remained a “ceremonial king,” i.e. formally shared power with Peter.

Since the 90s of the 17th century. A new era begins, associated with the transformations of Peter I, which affected all aspects of the life of Russian society. As ardent admirers of Peter figuratively noted, in fact, the 18th century began earlier than the grandiose fireworks display arranged in Moscow on January 1, 1700 on the occasion of the new century.

Military reforms

The reforms of Peter I were guided by the conditions of his time. This king did not know peace, he fought all his life: first with his sister Sophia, then with Turkey, Sweden. Not only to defeat the enemy, but also to take a worthy place in the world, Peter I began his reforms. The starting point for the reforms was Azov campaigns (1695-1696).

In 1695, Russian troops besieged Azov (a Turkish fortress at the mouth of the Don), but due to a lack of weapons and the absence of a fleet, Azov was not captured. Realizing this, Peter, with his characteristic energy, set about building a fleet. It was decided to organize Kumpanstvos, which would be engaged in the construction of ships. The United Kumpanstvo, which consisted of merchants and townspeople, was obliged to build 14 ships; Admiralty - 16 ships; one ship is an obligation for every 10 thousand landowner peasants and 8 thousand monastery peasants. The fleet was built on the Voronezh River at its confluence with the Don. In 1696, Russian naval forces won their first victory - Azov was taken. The following year, Peter sent the so-called Great Embassy of 250 people to Europe. Among its members, under the name of the sergeant of the Preobrazhensky Regiment, Pyotr Mikhailov, was the Tsar himself. The embassy visited Holland, England, Vienna. As he believed, the idea of ​​​​a trip abroad (Grand Embassy) arose from Peter I as a result of the ongoing transformations. The king went to Europe for knowledge and experience in 1697-1698. Researcher A.G. Brickner, on the contrary, believed that it was after his trip to Europe that Peter I developed a reform plan.

In the summer of 1698, the trip was interrupted due to a report received about a mutiny of the archers. The Tsar took personal part in the executions, Sophia was tonsured a nun. The Streltsy army was to be disbanded. The Tsar began to reorganize the army and continued the construction of the fleet. It is interesting to note that in addition to providing general leadership, Peter was directly involved in the creation of the fleet. The tsar himself, without the help of foreign specialists, built the 58-gun ship "Predestination" ("God's Foresight"). Back in 1694, during a sea voyage organized by the Tsar, the Russian white-blue-red flag was raised for the first time.

With the outbreak of the war with Sweden, the construction of a fleet began in the Baltic. By 1725, the Baltic fleet consisted of 32 battleships armed with 50 to 96 cannons each, 16 frigates, 85 galleys and many other smaller ships. The total number of Russian military sailors was about 30 thousand. Peter personally compiled Marine Charter, where it was written “Only that sovereign has both hands who has both a land army and a fleet.”

Peter I chose a new principle for recruiting the army: recruitment kits. From 1699 to 1725 53 recruitments were carried out, giving the army and navy more than 280 thousand people. Recruits underwent military training and received government-issued weapons and uniforms. “Willing people” from free peasants were also recruited into the army with a salary of 11 rubles a year.

Already in 1699, Peter formed, in addition to two guards regiments - Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky - 29 infantry and 2 dragoons. By the end of his reign, the total number of the Russian army was 318 thousand people.

Peter strictly obliged all nobles to perform military service, starting with the rank of soldier. In 1716 it was published Military regulations, which regulated order in the army in war and peacetime. Officer training was carried out in two military schools - Bombardier (artillery) and Preobrazhenskaya (infantry). Subsequently, Peter opened naval, engineering, medical and other military schools, which allowed him, at the end of his reign, to completely refuse to invite foreign officers to Russian service.

Public Administration Reform

Of all the transformations of Peter I, the central place is occupied by the reform of public administration, the reorganization of all its links.

The main goal of this period was to provide a solution to the most important problem - victory in. Already in the first years of the war, it became clear that the old state management mechanism, the main elements of which were orders and districts, did not meet the growing needs of the autocracy. This manifested itself in a shortage of money, provisions, and various supplies for the army and navy. Peter hoped to radically solve this problem with the help regional reform- creation of new administrative entities - provinces, uniting several districts. IN 1708 g. was formed 8 provinces: Moscow, Ingermanland (St. Petersburg), Kiev, Smolensk, Arkhangelsk, Kazan, Azov, Siberian.

The main goal of this reform was to provide the army with everything it needed: a direct connection was established between the provinces and the army regiments, which were distributed among the provinces. Communication was carried out through a specially created institution of Kriegskomissars (the so-called military commissars).

An extensive hierarchical network of bureaucratic institutions with a large staff of officials was created locally. The former “order - district” system was doubled: “order (or office) - province - province - district.”

IN 1711 Senate was created. Autocracy, which strengthened significantly in the second half of the 17th century, no longer needed the institutions of representation and self-government.

At the beginning of the 18th century. Meetings of the Boyar Duma actually cease, management of the central and local state apparatus passes to the so-called “Concilia of Ministers” - a temporary council of heads of the most important government departments.

Particularly important was the reform of the Senate, which occupied a key position in Peter’s state system. The Senate concentrated judicial, administrative and legislative functions, was in charge of colleges and provinces, and appointed and approved officials. The unofficial head of the Senate, consisting of the first dignitaries, was prosecutor general, endowed with special powers and subordinate only to the monarch. The creation of the post of prosecutor general laid the foundation for an entire institution of the prosecutor's office, the model for which was the French administrative experience.

IN 1718 - 1721. The system of command administration of the country was transformed. Was established 10 boards, each of which was in charge of a strictly defined industry. For example, the Collegium of Foreign Affairs - with foreign relations, the Military Collegium - with the ground armed forces, the Admiralty Collegium - with the fleet, the Chamber Collegium - with revenue collection, the State Office Collegium - with state expenses, and the Commerce Collegium - with trade.

Church reform

Became a kind of collegium Synod, or Spiritual College, established in 1721 The destruction of the patriarchate reflected the desire of Peter I to eliminate the “princely” system of church power, unthinkable under the autocracy of Peter’s time. By declaring himself the de facto head of the church, Peter destroyed its autonomy. Moreover, he made extensive use of church institutions to carry out his policies.

Monitoring the activities of the Synod was entrusted to a special government official - chief prosecutor.

Social politics

Social policy was pro-noble and serfdom in nature. Decree of 1714 on unified inheritance established the same procedure for inheritance of real estate, without distinction between estates and estates. The merger of two forms of feudal land ownership - patrimonial and local - completed the process of consolidation of the feudal class into a single class - estate nobles and strengthened its dominant position (often, in the Polish manner, the nobility was called the gentry).

To force the nobles to think about service as the main source of well-being, they introduced primogeniture- prohibited the sale and mortgage of land holdings, including ancestral ones. The new principle reflected in Table of ranks 1722. strengthened the nobility due to the influx of people from other classes. Using the principle of personal service and strictly specified conditions for promotion up the ladder of ranks, Peter turned the mass of servicemen into a military-bureaucratic corps, completely subordinate to him and dependent only on him. The table of ranks divided the military, civil and court services. All positions were divided into 14 ranks. An official who reached the eighth grade (collegiate assessor) or an officer received hereditary nobility.

Urban reform

The reform in relation to city residents was significant. Peter decided to unify the social structure of the city, introducing Western European institutions into it: magistrates, guilds and guilds. These institutions, which had deep roots in the history of the development of the Western European medieval city, were brought into Russian reality by force, through administrative means. The chief magistrate supervised the magistrates of other cities.

The townspeople's population was divided into two guilds: the first was made up of the “first-class”, which included the upper classes of the settlement, rich merchants, artisans, townspeople of intelligent professions, and second the guild included small shopkeepers and artisans, who, in addition, were united in workshops on a professional basis. All other townspeople who were not included in the guilds were subject to verification in order to identify runaway peasants among them and return them to their previous places of residence.

Tax reform

The war absorbed 90% of government expenditures; peasants and townspeople bore numerous duties. In 1718 - 1724 A capitation census of the male population was conducted. Landowners and monasteries were ordered to submit “tales” (information) about their peasants. The government instructed guards officers to conduct an audit of the submitted statements. Since then, censuses began to be called audits, and the “soul” became the unit of taxation instead of the peasant household. The entire male population had to pay capitation tax.

Development of industry and trade

As a result of the transformations of Peter I, manufacturing began to actively develop and industry was created. By the end of the 17th century. There were about 30 manufactories in the country. During the years of Peter the Great's rule there were more than 100 of them. A movement begins towards overcoming the technical and economic backwardness of Russia. Large industries are growing in the country, especially metallurgy (in the Urals), textiles and leather (in the center of the country), new industries are emerging: shipbuilding (St. Petersburg, Voronezh, Arkhangelsk), glass and earthenware, paper production (St. Petersburg, Moscow).

Russian industry was created under conditions of serfdom. Worked in factories sessional(bought by breeders) and attributed(who paid taxes to the state not with money, but with work at the factory) peasants. Russian manufacturing was actually like a serf fiefdom.

The development of industrial and handicraft production contributed to the development of trade. The country was in the process of creating an all-Russian market. In order to encourage the merchants, the first trade tariff was introduced in 1724, taxing the export of Russian goods abroad.

Many people know that the changes carried out by Peter I radically changed the state. The transformations affected all spheres of life of Russian citizens, leaving a major mark on history.

The reforms were of great importance for the further development of the country and laid the foundation for numerous achievements in all spheres of life of the state and its citizens.

It is very difficult to cover all the innovations that revolutionized the structure of Russia at the beginning of the 18th century in one article, but we will try to briefly describe what transformations broke the old social structure.

Peter I, with his reforms, affected almost all spheres of life.

Transformations took place simultaneously in the most important areas of government activity:

• army;
• estates;
• public administration;
• church;
• economics and finance;
• science, culture and education.

The activities of most areas have changed fundamentally.

Most of all, the sovereign dreamed of creating a fleet and developing maritime trade relations with Europe. To achieve this goal, he went on a journey. Returning after visiting several European countries, the tsar saw how much Russia lagged behind in its development.

Moreover, backwardness from Europe was manifested in all spheres of activity. Peter understood that without reforms Russia would forever lose the opportunity to compare in level of development with European states. The need for transformation is long overdue, and in all areas of life at once.

Thus, the Boyar Duma did not fulfill its intended function of governing the country. The training and armament of the Streltsy army was not suitable. If necessary, it is unlikely that the soldiers would cope with their task. The level of industrial production, education and culture was significantly lower than in Europe.

Although there have already been some shifts towards development. Cities were separated from villages, crafts and agriculture were separated, and industrial enterprises appeared.

The path of Russia's development took place in two directions: something was borrowed from the West, something developed independently. On such a basis, Peter I began global transformations in Russia.

The goals of the reforms are summarized in the table:

Military reforms

The most famous transformation of Peter I was the creation of a navy. Under Peter I, about 800 galleys and 50 sailing ships were built.

The army reform introduced regular regiments of the new system. These changes began under Mikhail Fedorovich and Alexei Mikhailovich. But then the regiments were assembled only for the duration of hostilities, and after the end they were disbanded.

The reorganization consisted in the fact that soldiers were specially recruited for the regular army. They were removed from their families and could not engage in anything other than military affairs. The Cossacks ceased to be a free ally. He was under an obligation to regularly supply a certain number of troops.

Social change

Thanks to Peter's reforms, the lives of all segments of society changed. The nobles were forced to serve on an equal basis with everyone else. They started, like everyone else, from the lower ranks. The rest could rise to higher ranks on a par with the nobility. The “Table of Ranks” was published. It appointed 14 service ranks.

Compulsory training was introduced to prepare for service. It included literacy, arithmetic (numbers at that time), and geometry. Completion of training was also mandatory for the nobility.

In addition, there was an exam after completion. If a nobleman did not pass it, he was forbidden to receive an officer rank and get married.

But changes could not happen instantly. In fact, the nobles still had privileges.

They were immediately appointed to the guards regiments and did not always begin their service with the lower ranks.

Despite this, there was a lot of discontent on the part of the nobility. But this did not change the reforms of Peter I.

Changes also occurred in the lives of peasants. Instead of house-to-house taxation, capitation taxation appeared.

An important decree on unified inheritance was issued. According to this decree, nobles had the right to leave their real estate to only one person. It could be the eldest child, or it could be another person in the will.

Governance reforms

A new government body has emerged - the Governing Senate. Its members were appointed by the king himself. The work of this body was supervised by the Prosecutor General. At first, the Governing Senate had only an administrative function; a little later a legislative function appeared.

The Boyar Duma finally lost its significance and influence on the Tsar. The sovereign discussed all matters with his entourage, of whom there were few.

There have been changes in the management of various areas. Orders were replaced by collegiums.

The last 12 were:

• church;
• marine;
• military;
• foreign affairs;
• trading;
• by income;
• by expenses;
• financial;
• mining industry;
• manufacturing industry;
• Justice;
• urban.

Note! Initially, the members of these boards were equal and consulted among themselves. The leadership of the boards by the minister appeared later.

Another transformation concerns the division of Russia. The country was divided into provinces, which, in turn, included provinces and districts. In the latter, the governor was appointed head, and in the provinces the governor was in charge.

One of the reforms of Peter I became key in history. It led to an era of palace coups. The king changed the law on succession to the throne. According to the new law, the sovereign himself could appoint an heir.

Economic changes are summarized in the table:

Financial reforms manifested themselves in the fact that the tax system changed. More and more so-called indirect taxes appeared. Taxes were assigned to such things as stamp paper, baths, and beards. Coins were minted lighter.

A new position was invented - profit maker. These people suggested to the king what else could be taxed. These measures led to a significant increase in the treasury.

The church reform of Peter I made the church dependent on the tsar. After the death of the last patriarch Hadrian, the patriarchate ceased to exist. The Holy Synod appeared. This board represented the clergy. Its members were elected not by the church, but by the sovereign. Monasteries were also under state control.

Science, culture and education also did not remain aloof from Peter’s transformations; the sovereign tried his best to give Russia a Western look.

Social receptions in the Western style began to be held among the nobility and nobility. The upper class was ordered to cut off their beards. European clothing was introduced into fashion, home decoration was changed in imitation of London and Paris. Western literature was translated into Russian.

Significant changes were made in the field of education of noble offspring. Peter I opened several schools in which the humanitarian component of education faded into the background. Much attention was paid to the exact sciences. Changes also occurred in writing. The old letter was replaced with a modern one.

Important! Under Peter I, the first publicly accessible newspaper, Moskovskie Vedomosti, began to be published.

The table will help to briefly list the main directions of reforms and their achievements:

Military reforms	Standing troops instead of the Streltsy army and noble militia
Control	The Boyar Duma was replaced by the Senate provinces appeared
Church	instead of the patriarchate - the Holy Synod the church became completely dependent on the state
Social	equalization of nobles and boyars creation of the “Table of Ranks”, in which 14 ranks were divided
Education	creation of schools, university, Academy of Sciences
Economic	inclusion of the entire population in taxation the penny becomes the monetary unit
Culture	Western-style cultural development
Other	Since 1721 Russia becomes an empire

The most important transformation events with dates are reflected in the following chronological list:

• 1708–1710 – establishment of eight provinces;
• 1711 – establishment of the Senate;
• 1712 – emergence of companies in trade and industry;
• 1714 – decree on the transfer of real estate;
• 1718 – population census;
• 1718–1720 – emergence of colleges;
• 1718–1724 – reform of the per capita taxation of peasants;
• 1719 – division of the country into governorates and provinces;
• 1721 – the beginning of the dependence of the church on the state;
• 1722 – “Table of Ranks”;
• 1722 – workshop organization;
• 1724 – introduction of large taxes on imported goods.

Features of the reforms

The transformations carried out by Peter I were among the most unusual in the history of Russia.

The features of the reforms of Peter I were that they:

• they covered all areas of life;
• transformations took place very quickly;
• Coercive methods were used most;
• all Peter's transformations were aimed at imitating Europe.

The main feature of the reforms of Peter I can be called his direct participation in all ongoing reforms.

What happened after the transformation was completed:

• centralized power;
• strong army and navy;
• stability in the economic sphere;
• abolition of the patriarchate;
• loss of independence by the church;
• a big step forward in the development of science and culture;
• creating the basis for Russian education.

Useful video

Let's sum it up

As a result of the reforms of Peter I in Russia there was a significant increase in all spheres of life. The transformations provided not only a huge leap in development, but also a good basis for further progress. The country began to develop at an accelerated pace.

In contact with