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Birth
Peter the Great was born Pyotr Alekseyevich Romanov on June 9, 1672, in Moscow. His parents were Alexis Mikhailovich and Natalya Naryshkina. Peter's father ruled Russia from 1629 to 1676 and was known as Tsar Alexis I. Peter was the 14th child of Tsar Alexis I by his second wife. This event is significant because Pyotr Alekseyevich Romanov would rule Russia in 1682 and would later become one of Russia's greatest leaders in history. (Stanley 1) -
King Philip's War (World)
On June 1675, King Philip grew angry when the Colonists built forts on their land and trade declined. The Native leader, King Philip, led attacks on the Americans in Massachusetts. The American Colonists won when King Philip was killed. The significance of King Philip's War was that it had a long-term effect on the settlers in New England. There was a reduced amount of Native Americans in NE and the fur trade disappeared. The victory was costly to the Americans. ("King Philip's War") -
Peter Becomes Co-ruler
Peter the Great came into power when he was only 10 years old in 1682 with his half brother, Ivan Alekseyevich. This event is significant because this is the start of Peter's life as being a tsar. Later on, Peter becomes the sole ruler of Russia and will lead his nation to success. (Riasanovsky 214) -
Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy (World)
The "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy", was written by Isaac Newton and published in 1687. The three-volume book supported science, such as the heliocentric theory, his three laws of motion, and also supported religion. The importance of the book being published is it began to create a religious sense of science and it spread knowledge all over the world. (Silverman) -
Yorktown, Virginia Founded (World)
In 1691, Yorktown, Virginia was established by Virginia's colonial government to regulate trade. Yorktown collected taxes on imports and exports for Great Britain. The establishment of Yorktown was important because it became a major port for Virginia and an economic center. ("History & Culture") -
Salem Witch Trials (World)
The Salem witch trials were a series of executions of people being accused of witchcraft. It all began in Salem Village, Massachusetts in 1692 when a group of young girls were said to have been possessed by the devil. More than 200 people were accused of witchcraft and 20 were executed. The trials were significant because they were the largest witch trials held in the world. After the Salem witch trials, people were more rational and had more common sense. ("Salem Witch Trials") -
The Russo-Turkish Wars (1695)
The Russo-Turkish Wars were a series of wars between Russia and the Ottoman Empire in the 17th-19th century. As a result of the wars, Russia extended its territory southward to the Black Sea. In the war of 1695, Peter the Great successfully captured the fortress of Azov. This war was important because it was the first major action Peter took after he came into power. (Riasanovsky 219) -
Peter Rules Alone
Peter's brother, Ivan, died in 1696, leaving Peter to fill the role as tsar at the age of 24. Tsar Peter I was officially the sole ruler of Russia. Peter becoming the sole ruler of Russia was important because this was the beginning of Peter's role as a monarch. This is when Peter the Great's significant actions begin as a single ruler. ("Peter the Great Timeline") -
The Grand Embassy
The "Grand Embassy" was a long trip Peter undertook to western Europe in 1697. His goal was to learn about European customs which would help him westernize Russia. The Tsar was disguised as an ordinary carpenter because he wanted to gain as much knowledge as possible on his trip. The "Grand Embassy" was important because the trip helped westernize Russia which made the nation a stronger country. (Beck 532, 533) -
Standing Army
Peter the Great introduced Russia to a standing army in 1699. Russia had a poor army and military before Peter came into power. He brought in elite guards which helped train the army and turned them into a dangerous force. Peter's reformed military is important because it massively modernized Russia's army and navy. By 1725, Russia's military was a force to be reckoned with.The Russian army was enlarged and made into a professional unit by Peter the Great. (Trueman) -
The Great Northern War
The Great Northern War occurred in 1700 and lasted for about 21 years. Peter the Great fought against Sweden for land on the Baltic coast. Russia formed an alliance with Poland and Russia finally won the war in 1721. The Great Northern War was a significant event because Russia established itself as a major European power. This event was the defining point of Peter's reign. ("Peter the Great Timeline") -
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg was founded in 1703. Russia fought in the Great Northern War against Sweden to gain the land. The army forced thousands of serfs to leave home and work at St. Petersburg. Many people died from the poor working conditions and contagious diseases. Peter ordered Russian nobles to leave Moscow and to settle in his new capital. The importance of St. Petersburg being founded was that the seaport made it easier for people to travel to the West. (Beck 535) -
The New York Slave Revolt (World)
The New York Slave Revolt was an uprising in New York City, in the British Province of New York. This uprising was a reaction from the black slaves who were treated unfairly by their white owners. With guns, swords, and knives in hand, the slaves first set fire to an outhouse then fired shots at several white slave owners. This event was important because laws governing the lives of African slaves in colonial New York were made more restrictive. ("New York Slave Rebellion of 1712") -
Aleksei Dies
On July 7, 1718, Peter the Great's son, Aleksei, died. Peter feared that his son was involved with his enemies. He thought that Aleksei was siding with the enemy while Russia was at war. Peter imprisoned him and Aleksei eventually died in prison. This event is significant because it showed a different side of Peter, a more evil side, that the Tsar is not known for. ("Peter the Great Timeline") -
The Great Plague Of Marseille (World)
The Great Plague of Marseilles was a disease outbreak in 1720. It killed over 100,000 people in the city of Marseilles, France. However, Marseilles recovered quickly from the plague outbreak. Economic activity took only a few years to recover. Trade expanded to the West Indies and Latin America. This event is important because it was the last of the European outbreaks of diseases. ("Marseilles Case Study") -
Death
Peter the Great died on February 8, 1725 in St. Petersburg. The Tsar had been ill with Uremia since the beginning of 1725 and he began to fall into a coma. He passed away while his autopsy revealed that his bladder was infected with gangrene. This event is significant because it marks the end of a remarkable man who was one of the greatest Russian leaders who strengthened Russia as a nation. ("Peter the Great Timeline")
