ON THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF THE STATE ACTIVITY OF PETER I

ON THE HISTORIOGRAPHY OF THE STATE ACTIVITY OF PETER I

Evgeny Obolkin

Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Humanitarian and Socio-Economic Disciplines, East-Siberian branch of the Russian State University of Justice,

Russia, Irkutsk

The era of Peter I in the history of Russia, this is the personality of an outstanding statesman, enjoys attention in domestic and foreign historical science. The study of this era has a rich tradition, because it began during the lifetime of the greatest reformer. Great achievements in many areas of public and state life, the transformation of Russia into a great world power.

S.F. Platonov in the first chapter tells about Peter the Great in the latest fiction, according to A. Tolstoy and B. Pilnyak [1]. In the second chapter on the journalistic and philosophical assessments of Peter in the XVIII first half of the XIX century. Peter the Great was considered a force. Everyone recognized that Peter was the most influential figure of his time, the leader of the people, the "ruler of thoughts" for some and the destroyer of souls for others (the phrase is taken from the book). Many people were interested in him, saw the results of his activities. His political successes created a new European state and gave the people a new political, economic and cultural environment. Peter's scientific assessments in later times. S.M. Solovyov and K.D. Kavelin undertook to assess the era of transformations. From the point of view of Solovyov and Kavelin, Peter with his reform was "the son of his people", the spokesmen of people's aspirations. Klyuchevsky believed that the reforms of Peter the Great were not something new, but were a continuation of the transformations. Milyukov's view and his refutation. "The personality of Peter is visible everywhere in his reform on every particular is its seal: and it is precisely this trait that informs the reform of a largely spontaneous character" (quote from the book). Military historians talk about genius and talent in military affairs. The fourth chapter talks about the childhood of Peter the Great, about games, learning, as well as the first foreigners. The fifth chapter is about the youth of the ruler, the court struggle, the German settlement. The collapse of traditions. The sixth chapter describes the first political steps. War with the Turks and travel abroad. The seventh chapter, the military talent of the ruler. Operation of conquest of Ingria. Grodno operation of 1706 1708 and Poltava. Peter led the actions of military leaders, sent detachments of Ukrainian Cossacks to help. The eighth chapter is the last period of Peter's life, his stay in Western Europe. A trip to Paris in 1717 and life in the Nevsky Paradise.

In the book of N. Pavlenko biography of Peter I, which is why many events in the history of the country remained outside the book [2]. The author tells what Peter's policy was aimed at, tells in more detail about his father. Peter's reforms tactlessly invaded life and destroyed it, destroyed the unity of Russian society. According to the Slavophiles, Peter's transformations had an anti-national character. The author also says that Pushkin occupies a special place in the literature about Peter. The poet treated him with respect, and Peter became a hero for him. Lomonosov considered Peter an ideal monarch. He noted his merits in the development of trade, the creation of the army and navy.

A.G. Brickner in the first volume of his book, talks about the childhood of Peter I [3]. Such events as the Azov campaigns and the German settlement are mentioned. Another event is the Streletsky riot. Attitude to Turkey before 1700. In the second volume, the author tells about the Prussian campaign. And similarly that Peter accepted emperor's title became one of important. Continuation of North war and diplomatic taking during the foreign tours of Peter in 1711-1717. Attitude toward Asia. And in more detail about personality and employees of Peter. The first campaign was unsuccessful due to the lack of a fleet in Russia. The second campaign, during the siege of Azov, the Russian fleet blocked the supply of reinforcements and food to the besieged, thereby Azov was taken. The second chapter tells in more detail about the Northern War of 1700-1721 In the third chapter on Russia and European international politics after the Treaty of Nystad 1721-1725 From May to September 1721, a peace congress was held in Nystadt. The purpose of the congress is to end the Northern War between Russia and Sweden, started by Peter. During the negotiations, Russia conquered Livonia, Ingermanland, Finland and Estonia from Sweden. The fourth chapter, the Eastern policy of Peter I and the Caspian campaigns of 1722-1723. The main task was to strengthen Russia's influence in the East and take control of the commodity routes that passed through the territory of Persia. Information is given about the trade of Western European merchants in St. Petersburg, Arkhangelsk and other ports of Russia in the north and the Baltic. Trade foreigners in the domestic Russian market. Often they faced problems, which brought them great losses. The main competitors of the Russian merchants were merchants from the Netherlands, England and German cities. It is told about the loan in the trade of Western European merchants in Russia. The trade and financial partner of the Russian government is the Western European merchants.  Also in the book there are many illustrations.

In his book M.N.Dyomkina tells about Peter and the German settlement [4]. The German settlement had a great influence on the ruler. Without leaving Russia, in the settlement he got acquainted with the life of Western Europeans. The influence on Peter of the German settlement later attracted to acquaintance with Europe. The ruler understood that any diplomatic efforts will not bring any result until the country acquires the status of an independent power by consolidating its positions at sea. Peter I in England. He wanted to master the profession of shipbuilder. He also wanted to get acquainted with the highly developed industry of England. Chapter Six deals with events such as the Northern War; Battle of Narva;  Battle of Poltava; Prussian campaign. Peter's reforms are described in more detail. These are military reform, urban reform, administrative reforms, table of ranks and church reform. The eighth chapter deals with the last years of Peter's reigns. The Persian campaign did not bring any results. Europe was forced to persuade Peter to stop military reforms. It is said about the Streletsky uprising and the first reforms. The author also talks about the preparations for the Northern War. Touches on the tragedy of father and son. Popular uprisings. Astrakhan, Streletsky and the uprising of Kondraty Bulavin led to a brutal suppression.  New laws, institutions and final concerns. Peter was concerned about who would inherit his throne. After the death of his sons, he created a decree on the succession to the throne. By publishing it, he sought to prevent the coming to power of his grandson Pyotr Alekseevich. Peter approved the law on the order of public service - the Table of Ranks. Peter established the Senate. It served as an administrative, judicial and law-advisory body.

In the book, E.V. Anisimov noted the longevity of the existence of state institutions created by Peter the Great [5]. The colleges lasted 80 years, and poll taxation was abolished in 1887. Recruitment last took place in 1874. The Synodal administration of the Orthodox Church remained unchanged for almost 200 years.  The Senate was abolished in December 1917. In the second chapter, the author considers the Narva embarrassment. Industrialization by Petrovsky. On the roads of war: from Narva to Poltava. After Narva, the problem of relations with the remaining ally was revealed. Peter sought to preserve allied relations with Augustus and prevent Saxony from withdrawing from the war. The third chapter talks about the birth of the empire, as well as about the realization of the state dream. Serfdom economy. In the course of this state reform, central bodies of management of industry and trade were created. The imperial idea, the title of Peter I first appeared in the Roman Republic. His demand was the rejection of the royal title revered by his ancestors in favor of the imperial one.

Thus, according to the historiographic analysis, historians E.V. Anisimov and N.I. Pavlenko believed that the reforms of Peter I were a misfortune of Russia. Contemporaries believed that Peter turned over and destroyed all the old life. He himself presented himself as a revolutionary king. M.N.Pokrovsky and V.O.Klyuchevsky believed that Peter took from the old Russia state forces, supreme power, law, estates, and from the West borrowed technical means for the organization of the army, navy, state and national economy, government institutions. Despite all the failures of Peter in reform activities, he made a huge step forward compared to his predecessors. Peter I made reforms one of the main tasks of the government.

References:

1. Platonov S.F. – Peter the Great. Personality and activity. - SPb.: Typography I. N. Skorovhodov, 1989. - 357 p.
2. Pavlenko N.I. – The history of Peter the Great.- SPb.: Typography I. N. Skornhodova, 1997.- 438 p.
3. Brickner A.G. – Peter I the Great. His life and reign. - M.: University Typography, 2016. - 364 p.
4. Dyomkina M.N. – Epoch of Peter I. - M.: Higher School, 2019. - 275 p.
5. Anisimov E.V. – Time of Petrovsky reforms. - M.: Oziz: State. Soc. - ECON. Publisher. 2020. - 392 p.