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...
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