Peter the Great

1. Peter the Great Jill Dempsey

2. Child Hood • Peter was born in Moscow in 1772 • At ten years old he became a Tsar of Russia after his brother Theodor died in 1682. • He shared the thrown with his half brother Ivan from his father’s first marriage. • But because both boys were so young their older sister Sophia was given the power to rule. • When Peter was seventeen he challenged Sophia and removed her from the thrown.

3. St. Petersburg • The great Northern War sparked the idea to create St. Petersburg • It was founded in 1703 • It became the capital of Russia in 1713 • It continued to expand for 200 years after that.

4. Reforms • One of Peter’s goals was to modernize Russia • He forced State Officials and the military to shave their beards and wear more modern clothing. • Peter changed his title of tsar to emperor • He raised the status of woman.

5. Navy Peter created a Russian navy. Russia had about 48 ships by 1725. Russia defeated Sweden's navy taking control of Baltic Sea territories.

6. Peter’s Family Life • Peter had two wives • He had a total of fourteen children, only three of which lived to adult hood. • His oldest child Alexei was tried for being involved with a plan to overthrow Peter. He was sentenced to be executed, but died in jail instead because Peter was hesitant to signing the execution papers for his own son. • (Photo on right: Alexei)

7. Work Cited • http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/peter_the_great.htm • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_the_Great