Q&A: how did peter the great westernize russia?

Question by A.L.I.: how did peter the great westernize russia?
i have to make a movie for national history day project and i just need some solid facts of what he did to modernize it…..some ideas about making the movie are also helpful. thanks

Best answer:

Answer by Patrick G
Forced Russian nobles to adopt western fashions. Promoted the use of French as the court language to the extent that within a few generations many Russian nobles could not understand the common Russian of their own countrymen. Also tried to end the practice of forced arranged marriages between noblemen and women.

Established the new city of St Petersburg as a western style “planned city” along the lines of Paris ( grand boulevards, large facades, the Winter Palace ).

As a younger man Peter toured Europe extensively ( often in cognito ) to observe modern manufacturing practices, especially in the art of shipbuilding.

Reorganized the Russian army along European lines with professional officers and regular soldiers.

If your aim is to make a movie that illustrates the changes under Peter I would suggest using music as the best metaphor. Start with something distinctly Russian ( try a basso profundo chant ) and end with something like Tchaikovsky ( more European )

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!