Link to the Youtube video and the rest of the series!

As her fans know, Siggie looks up to the Greats, the Terribles and even the Impalers of the past. She hopes to learn what it takes to someday make the history books herself! The famous Peter the Great was Tsar of Russia from 1682 until his death in 1725, as well as Russia’s first emperor from 1721-1725. By modernizing Russia and building up it’s military, he created a great empire and founded the city of St. Petersburg. But he also created a police state that historians think weakened Russia socially.

Peter the Great, at a glance. Czar of Russia, born in 1672 and died in 1725. So, what made him so great? Well, like all the greats, he was harsh and domineering, and crazy! He industrialized and modernized Russia. He did a lot to enhance its army, and he established the first Russian navy. He made Russia quite the force to be reckoned with in Europe. He adopted Western culture including dress and styles and even introduced the beard tax. I love this. He made men pay for the privilege of wearing a beard to discourage it among other Russian traditions. If the beard tax was not paid, men had their faces forcibly shaved by law enforcement. St Petersburg was constructed and it became Russia’s new capital in 1712.

(stay tuned for Episode 11, “Catherine the Great”)