Russia Is Today One of Book Report

Indeed, the issues of territorial conquests and of wars being waged to occupy Azov for instance were significant at the practical level. However, Peter the Great managed to provide the Empire with an image of aristocracy that for instance, the Ottoman Empire did not have. This is largely due to the fact that all the initiatives to modernize Russia and transform it into the political power it became in the 18th century and beyond was somewhat influenced by the western states Peter the Great visited which included France, Great Britain, Germany. Therefore, the creation of a select aristocracy that learned to speak French or German was essential for exporting the image of a distinctive and modern Russian society. Soon, the Russian aristocracy was studying in the west and returning home with the image of modernity and further influenced their society.

Through these actions, Peter the Great created a modern Russia and an empire in the true sense of the word. It brought about a change in mentality and one in structure.The territorial conquests also ensured an influx of culture and orientation. The military might was successfully supported by a strong administrative reform, the cultural reform was successful in creating a new type of society, one that was modern and in line with the European trends. All these achievements, as presented by Cracraft in his book were visible at the level of the European countries and, in this way, Russia became a European power.

References

Berstein, Serge, and Milza. Pierre. Histoire de l'Europe. (Paris: Hatier, 1994)

Cracraft, James. "Revolution of Peter the Great." (Harvard University Press N.d., Available at http://site.ebrary.com/id/10318462?)

Hobsbawn, Eric. The age of revolution. 1789 -- 1849. (London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1962)

Kissinger, Henry. Diplomacy. (London: Simon & Schuster, 1995).....