Vasili Klyuchevsky on Peter the Great
. . . Peter’s military reform would have remained an isolated incident in Russian military history had it not left a distinct and deep impression on the social and intellectual composition of all Russian society, and even influenced future political development ... The new recruiting methods, by spreading military obligations to classes hitherto exempt, and thus affecting all social classes, gave the new army a more varied composition, and completely altered existing social relationships. From the time that noblemens’ serfs and servants joined the new army as ordinary recruits instead of only as menials or valets, the position of the nobility, which had been preponderant in the old army, was completely changed. . . .
Vasili Klyuchevsky, translated by Liliana Archibald, Peter the Great, St. Martin’s Press
Question 1
Explain how the developments described in the passage impacted the expansion of the Russian Empire under Peter the Great.
Question 2
Identify and explain similar example as that of the passage from a different land-based empire in the period of 1450-1750.
Question 3
Explain how the developments described in the passage could be used to legitimize the rule of kings and emperors during the period of 1450-1750.
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