Chapter 14 Connection Task Peter the Great

Chapter 14 connection task

1) Peter wrote to his son, Alexis, that he doesn’t want him to engage in war without just cause. However the "art of war" must be understood and learned because it is one of two important ingredients for a successful government. War can bring about order and defense, both which are necessary for government. Peter became known as the great because of his strong abilities to govern. By practicing his art of war he expanded his country’s territory, modernized the military, and bolstered manufacturing. His skill caused the Russian government to flourish and become stronger. He over took underdeveloped countries to gain territory, drastically increased the national economy and gained very important access to the seas.

2) When Peter wrote to his son he had not been speaking with him. He felt that by not speaking to him for some time would correct his son’s undesirable personality. Peter told him that he had a wicked and stubborn disposition that no talking or beating had been able to correct. He told him that he was weak, but not of mind or body as Peter claims. He told him that he doesn’t listen, doesn’t want to do good, and has buried his God given talents. He told Alexis that he was a gangrenous member of his family that could be permanently cut off. Peter told his son that he lacks desire to learn and has no knowledge of military and is unfit to manage state affairs. He asked his son how he could expect to be a good leader if he knows nothing. He doesn’t want his son to take over for him when he dies if he doesn’t mend his ways and not be hypocritical.

3) He singled out the Greeks. He stated that the Greeks were very similar to Russia but they were way too peaceful. They desired not to wage war, but to live peacefully and therefore were constantly serving their tyrants. He was trying to point out that Russia without strong leadership could end up like the Greeks who always gave way to their enemy and eventually perished.

4) Peter the Great began to rule at the age of 10 years with little formal education. He was known as being severely punishing to his opposition. He did major reforms to administration, industry, commerce, technology and culture. He enforced the priests to teach the children to have awe for their tsar. He was known by his military personnel as having large amounts of restlessness, energy, and impulsiveness. He was known for beating his officials with a stick due to his anger. He was also known for his insatiable capacity to work. The letter shows that the Tsar is a strong leader and cares about his son and wants him to be a great leader too but highly doubts that this is possible.

Many times famous rulers have lots in common. It was very interesting to me after reading the letter from Peter the Great, the tsar of Russia, to his son, Alexis. Upon further research I discovered that Peter put lots of pressure on his son Alexis because he was to be the successor to the throne. Alexis was so pressured that he left the country. Peter contacted Alexis and asked him to come back home. In 1718 Peter had a plan and he tried his own son for treason, sentenced him to death and imprisoned him. Alexis actually died before he could be executed from wounds he had received due to being tortured. Peter the Great killed his own son.

Another famous ruler comes to mind that had very similar traits to Peter the Great. Ivan the Terrible was also the tsar of Russia before Peter the Great. Ivan was known to have an uncontrollable anger. He was physically abusive to everyone around him including his own family. In 1581he disliked the way that his son Ivan’s wife was dressed during pregnancy and began to slap her. His son Ivan came to his wife’s rescue and Ivan killed his son in a fit of rage. His son was to be his successor to the throne.

Both men were famous, strong rulers with faulty depositions. Both men had male successors to their throne upon their death, but both killed their own sons. Neither son lived long enough to become tsar themselves.