Exactly 320 years ago, in August 1697, Peter I undertook a two-year trip to Europe. Not fond of Russian traditionalism, on his return to the Fatherland, Peter quickly began to force Russia to accept European forms, without paying attention to any resistance or complaints.
Peter I, who would later be called "the Great" after his death in 1725, was one of the most energetic and active rulers of Russia. Throughout his life he learned various arts such as engineering, architecture, and shipbuilding. At the same time, he ruled his country with an iron fist.
It was a time of autocrats, kingdoms were possessions, and they followed a divine mission. And if something teaches us Russian history, it is that in that country weak men freeze. Which is he implemented lots of rules and regulations such as:
1. Under the government of Peter, the first newspaper was printed in Russia on January 13, 1703.
2. At the same time, the day on which the Russians celebrated the New Year from September 1 to January 1 changed.
3. Also Peter decided once and for all that all the nobles should be clean-shaven and wear European clothes. And, although he admired Western ways, he was still the ultimate autocrat. His reforms were easy to implement. During the assemblies and the parties of the court he personally cut off beards and tore off voluminous traditional Russian clothes.
It was due to his impositions that the people thought he was the antichrist. However, after 42 years of ruling he died on hid death bed with gangrene.
