Monday, November 10, 2008

Which monarch was more important –Peter the Great or Frederick Wilhelm?

First of all, which Frederick Wilhelm? The Great Elector of Brandenburg or King Frederick Wilhelm I of Prussia? It's not going to change my answer, I was just confused. Anyway. I think that Peter the Great was more important because his actions set Russia on it's course through 1917. Before his reign, Russia was more Asian than European. He brought the culture and government of France and the economic policies of England to Russia. He encouraged mercantilism and conquered important territories for Russia. He made Russia European. I think though, that he influenced the history of Russia more strongly through his government. He got rid of the duma (which was useless anyway) and made himself an absolute ruler. He made it so the tsar had the power to choose a successor that was not his firstborn son. Most importantly, I think, all of his reforms excluded the peasants. The serfs were like the African slaves of the Americas. Through this exclusion of the serfs, they became wary of any type of central authority. The serfs became more oppressed during his reign while the nobility became more powerful. It was this imbalance between classes that led to things like the Russian Revolution of 1917. Without Peter the Great's reforms, major historical events like that would not have happened.
P.S. I'm really sorry if this is confusing. I was kind of just rambling.

6 comments:

Erica Perkins said...

I agree, Peter the Great had more of an influence on future events which would make him more important, I think.

Cote Laramie said...

You know Sarah at first I was thinking that Frederick Milhelm was more important, but you've led me tp believe otherwise. Although it may be said that FW was stronger and more effective ruler and perhaps deserves the tirlt "the Great" more. Peter did some crazy stuff and REVOLUTIONIZED Russia!

Cote Laramie said...

Wilhelm, to, (insert) a, title.

These are just spelling corrections

Lena said...

The aristocracy did not become more powerful though, Peter did not care about the highborn and treated them as he did the peasants if they got in his way. Only the foreigners gained any significant power since Peter loved the outside influence and detested any old Russian hereditary lines, and therefore created his own through the state service.

Denali said...

I agree, and think an important part here in Pete's influence is that Russia's focus went from Asia to Europe. Today Russia is a kind of buffer between Europe and what Westerners think of when they hear "Asia:" China, Japan, the Koreas, etc. If Russia's focus had remained Asian throughout history...

Becca DC said...

It it's interesting to think that Peter the Great would've been just Peter if he had never added "the Great" himself. Well it's possible someone later in history could've given it to him...