The expansion and consolidation of the Russian Empire around 1725 marked a fundamental transformation in Russia’s place within Europe and Eurasia. During this period, the Russian state shifted from a relatively inward-looking tsardom into an outward-facing imperial power, capable of competing militarily, diplomatically, and economically with established European monarchies. This transition reflected broader early modern trends, centralization, military reform, and state-driven modernization, but unfolded with particular intensity under a single ruler.
This transformation was driven by Peter I “the Great” (reigned 1682–1725), who ruled first as tsar and, from 1721, adopted the title Emperor of All Russia, formally signaling Russia’s imperial status. Peter pursued aggressive expansion, most notably during the Great Northern War (1700–1721), which secured access to the Baltic and repositioned Russia within European power politics. At the same time, he implemented sweeping internal reforms: reorganizing the army and navy along Western models, restructuring provincial administration, subordinating the Orthodox Church to the state, and promoting secular education and technical expertise. Together, these measures reshaped Russian governance, society, and identity, laying the institutional foundations for Russia’s emergence as a dominant Eurasian empire in the 18th century.
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Cite This Work
APA Style
Netchev, S. (2026, February 03). Map of the Russian Empire under Peter the Great, c. 1725: Reform, Expansion, and the Birth of Imperial Russia. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17891/map-of-the-russian-empire-under-peter-the-great-c/
Chicago Style
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Russian Empire under Peter the Great, c. 1725: Reform, Expansion, and the Birth of Imperial Russia." World History Encyclopedia, February 03, 2026. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17891/map-of-the-russian-empire-under-peter-the-great-c/.
MLA Style
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Russian Empire under Peter the Great, c. 1725: Reform, Expansion, and the Birth of Imperial Russia." World History Encyclopedia, 03 Feb 2026, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17891/map-of-the-russian-empire-under-peter-the-great-c/.
