Peter I

Peter I, also known as Peter the Great, was a Russian ruler from 1682 to 1725 who modernized and expanded Russia. He transformed the country by reforming its government, military, and economy, and introduced Western scientific, technological, and cultural ideas. Peter aimed to strengthen Russia's position as a major European power, establishing the city of St. Petersburg as a new, western-style capital. His leadership involved modernizing the army, improving education, and encouraging European customs, which helped Russia emerge as a significant global force in the 18th century.