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Peter the Great was born in Moscow and named Pyotr Alekseyevich Romanov. He was the 14th child of Tsar Alexis and Natalya Kirillovna Naryshkina.
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Peter was not provided an education reserved for the heir to the throne. He learned from frequent visits to foreigner's quarters in Moscow. His half-sister, Sofia, prevented him from being the successor to patriarch. Peter was very intelligent and became skilled at various practical and military skills.
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Peter's half-brother, Feodor III dies. He was the successor to Peter's father, Tsar Alexis of Russia. Although boyers had wanted Peter to take over, Sofia prevented this and instead appointed herself as regent.
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Peter's mother, Tsaritsa Natalya, selects his first wife, Eudoxia Lopukhina.
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Peter's first child with his first wife was born in Moscow and named Alexei Petrovich. He would become Peter's only son to survive childhood.
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With the death of Peter's half-brother, Ivan V, Peter becomes the sole ruler of Russia.
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Peter's first major initiative as ruler is an extensive voyage through Western Europe. This showed his interest in European culture. He learned of European military and technical expertise he would later attempt to implement in Russia.
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Peter heard of an uprising led by the Streltsy and cut his Grand Embassy short. However, by the time he arrived back to Russia, the revolt was over. Peter still led an investigation and personally tortured and killed thousands of prisoners. Their bodies were left for the public to see for months as a warning to everyone.
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Allied with Poland, Russia participates in this long war against Sweden. This war was Peter's motivation for many of the reforms that characterized his reign. Peter initiated many changes to Russian government and society during the war.
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Russia takes an early loss in the Great Northern War as Sweden defeats Peter's navy on the Baltic Sea. Peter is forced to reorganize his armies and government.
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After deciding that Russia needed a seaport to easily travel to the West, Peter the Great began building a city in Russian-occupied Sweden. This new city would become the capital and named after Peter's Patron Saint. The site was on the banks of the Neva River near the Gulf of Finland and was unhealthful but ideal for ships. During construction, thousands of serfs died from working conditions and diseases. Nobles were forced to move to the new capital.
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After the disastrous loss in the Battle of Narva, Russia defeats Sweden in another battle. This was a turning point in the Great Northern War.
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After banishing his first wife to a convent, Peter marries his mistress who he already had two daughters with.
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Peter's eldest son, Alexei Petrovich, was against his father's policies and did not want to be raised as the heir to the throne. After being suspected and investigated for high treason, Alexei was secretly killed in prison.
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Peter defeats Sweden to win the Great Northern War. Russia is awarded the Treaty of Nystad and a valuable coastline on the Baltic.
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Among other reforms, Peter the Great chooses the western-sounding title of Emperor.
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Peter had created a new system of obligatory service that forced citizens of a high social class to provide civil or military service. This system was given a hierarchical structure, known as the Table of Ranks. It allowed people to improve their status by advancing their position based on merit.
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While sailing in icy waters, Peter jumped out of his boat to save victims of a nearby shipwreck. He caught pneumonia and his health quickly worsened.
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Fearful that his grandson, son of Alexei would become his heir, Peter announced that he would personally appoint his successor. However, he was hesitant in his choice. Peter would soon die in 1725 without choosing a successor.
