Peter the Great in 1698
In March, April and May 2017, I will be teaching one of my most popular courses at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies: Peter the Great and the Building of Saint Petersburg. Click here to register
When Peter became czar in 1682, Europe had become quite foreign to Russia. Fascinated by the West, Peter was determined to transform Russia into a great European power. In this course, we’ll discover the traditional Russia of Peter’s childhood, his Grand Tour of Europe and his subsequent dream of building St. Petersburg, a new city to match his vision of the country.
With images of the city and accounts of his drive to create it, we’ll see how the city emerged as a symbol of his power and of Russia’s hopes. We will look at the lasting impact of his reign, and find out how and why Russian president Vladimir Putin takes Peter as a role model. Join us for a discussion of the architectural and political legacy of one of the world’s most influential figures.
19th century portrait of Peter the Great interrogating his son, Alexei
What You’ll Learn:
- Explore the rise of Russia as a world power in the 18th century.
- Understand the impact of Peter the Great on Russia’s past and present.
- Follow the founding of St. Petersburg as capital of Imperial Russia.
- Examine the role of St. Petersburg in Russia’s relationship with the West.
- Appreciate its influence on Russian culture and society.