XIV Международная студенческая научная конференция Студенческий научный форум - 2022

Pondering on the great role of Peter I in the history of our country it is impossible to cover all his investments, but the following three questions are to be discussed as they may help understand if it is strong features of a personality influence the reality or the reality helps a person be strong:

1. What is the role of an individual in changing the course of history?

2. What legacy did Peter I leave for our generation?

3. Did Peter’s reforms influence Voronezh and Voronezh region?

Understanding the course of history inevitably raises questions about the role of a particular person in it: has it changed the course of history; whether such a change was inevitable or not; what would have happened without this person? From the obvious truth that it is people who make history, an important problem arises in the philosophy of history about the relationship between the regularity and the random, which, in turn, is closely related to the question of the role of the individual. In fact, the life of any person is always dependent on chance coincidence of circumstances: if he is born at one time or another, if he marries that partner or another, if dies early or lives long, etc.

This is the long-known historical paradox of Blez PascAL (1623-1662) about the "Cleopatra’ nose" formulated as follows: "If it was a bit shorter, the appearance of the Earth would become different". That is, if the nose of this queen was of a different shape, Anthony would not admire her, would not lose the battle to Octavian, and Roman history would develop differently. As in any paradox, there is a great exaggeration in it, but still some part of the truth too. On the one hand, we know a huge number of cases when the change of personalities (even under such dramatic circumstances as the series of murders of monarchs and revolutions) did not entail decisive changes. On the other hand, there are circumstances that are mentioned later, when even a trifle can become decisive. Thus, it is very difficult to catch what the role of a person depends on: on it itself, the historical situation, historical laws, accidents or everything at once, and in what combination, and how exactly...

Anyway, it is important to understand that an accident, having committed, ceases to be an accident and turns into a given that to a greater or lesser extent begins to affect the future. Therefore, when some personality appears and is entrenched in a certain role (thereby making it difficult or easier for others to arrive), "randomness ceases to be an accident precisely because there is a given personality that imprints events... determining how they will develop "(Labriola 1960:183).

The uncertainty of historical events, the alternative of the future and the problem of the person’s role

Modern science in general rejects the idea of predestination of historical events. The prominent French sociologist and philosopher Raymond Aron, in particular, wrote: "He who claims that an individual historical event would not have been different if even one of the preceding elements was not what he really was must prove this statement" (Aron 1993:506). And since historical events are not predetermined, the future has many alternatives and can change as a result of the activities of various groups and their leaders, it also depends on the actions of various people. Therefore, the problem of the role of the individual in history is always relevant for each generation. And it is very relevant in the age of globalization, when the influence of certain people on the whole world can increase due to the possibilities of digital resources.

A person can have a significant impact not only by action, but also by inaction. So, in his letter to Belinsky in the fall of 1847, Gogol writes that "Society consists of individuals. It is necessary that each individual fulfills his position." The dispute between Belinsky and Gogol was not resolved during the lifetime of the two great thinkers and is unlikely to be resolved. However, as J. Blondel writes, so that only a leader can enthrall the people, thus turning the tide of history. A political leader, writes J. Blondel, is the power that encourages members of the nation to act. Whether personality and circumstances should coincide at the right time in the right place is a debatable issue and it is probably possible to prove each of the points of view, based on specific historical examples.

Peter’s decisions which in our life today seem to us natural, ordinary, inalienable, but during the reign of Peter were not just reform decisions, those were decisions for which historians gave him the characteristic of "a Tsar who dared to get out of the stuffy framework of national religious tradition. The first Russian rebelling against domestic formlessness, laziness, gravity, cluelessness, obliqueness. He was feared alive for his cool temper, for his quick reprisal, for his demanding initiative. Peter turned to his associates, but instead of his associates he saw only cowardly hollows. He hoped that education would teach them dignity and encourage the nation to participate actively in life".

Of course, the transformations of the first emperor of Russia Peter I had a huge impact on the public and state life of the country as a whole and touched upon such important aspects as state administration, administrative-territorial division, supervision over the activities of civil servants, army, church, finance, industry and trade, inter-class relations, culture, education and science.

Since our event today takes place within the walls of a military university, and its excellent teachers hold it, we will dwell on the transformations of Peter I, which affected the army, education and women's rights.

In 1714, a decree was issued on universal educational service for children of all classes (except peasants).

Peter establishes new duties for nobles: from 10 to 15 years old, a nobleman is obliged to study "literacy, numeracy and geometry." From the age of 15, he went to serve. Passing a simple course of science was mandatory. It was decided: without a certificate of graduation, "do not marry and do not give crown memories."

The establishment of the Academy of Sciences was of great importance for the establishment of the Russian science. The idea of organizing a scientific center arose in Peter back in 1718, after visiting and getting acquainted with the activities of the French Academy. In January 1724, the project to create the Academy of Sciences and Arts, as it was originally called, was approved by Peter I. The official opening of the Academy took place in 1725 after his death.

The foundation of the Academy of Sciences was a major event in the socio-cultural life of Russia. For the first time, a scientific center arose in the country, which had a sufficiently equipped base for research in various fields of knowledge. The Academy had three departments: mathematical, physical and "humaniora". The first members of the Academy were 12 people, they had to follow the new literature in their specialty, make "inventions" and make presentations and "advice." In terms of its structure and tasks, the Russian Academy of Sciences differed significantly from Western academies. Firstly, realizing that the creation of the Academy on a private or public basis would not give the expected result, Peter provided for the creation of the Academy as a state institution with funding from the treasury. Secondly, the Academy was founded as compound part with the university and gymnasiums. Its members were obliged to teach and individually lead one or two pupils who could later replace them. This ensured the accelerated training of domestic scientific and teaching personnel for the Academy, university and gymnasiums. Inextricably associated with the establishment of the Academy of Sciences is the creation of Moscow University (1755). These two institutions are historically connected by the titanic personality of Lomonosov. An encyclopedic scientist and enlightener, the first Russian academician opened a new page in the history of the country – he developed the project of the first Russian university that laid the foundations of the system of higher education and science in our country.

The fact that universities were created by the decision of the supreme government meant that the development of science and education in Russia began to be recognized as the most important state task. As in the modern National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation, education was considered the key to the national security of the country. The Peter’s era created unique opportunities for the personal growth of talents among ordinary people; the development of general literacy and spirituality was considered as a priority state task, education was welcomed in every possible way. In his circulars, he demanded that subjects "teach reading and writing to children as much as possible".

In other words, it is Peter I who owns the idea that for the continuous work of an educational institution, it should be financed from state funds, which we have today – budget and state educational institutions. Also, the acceptability of pedagogical personnel – scientific advice and support, were also laid down by Peter, as well as the universal availability of education.

In the late XVII – early XVIII centuries, Russia had to participate in numerous military conflicts and their results showed the backwardness of the country in the economic and military field.

There was an urgent need to train professional personnel for all spheres of public life. Peter began by organizing professional schools where military and technical sciences would be studied. In January 10, 1701 Peter I issued a decree on the creation of the Artillery School, and in January, 14 – the School of Mathematics and Navigation Sciences. In addition, a Technical School, a Medical School and a number of other professional educational institutions were founded.

By Peter’s decrees, an order was established according to which "parenthood" was not taken into account when appointing and serving. Conversely, the most gifted and active people from the people had the opportunity to receive any military or civilian rank. This order was enshrined in the "Table of Ranks," adopted in 1722, according to which all posts in the army, navy and civilian institutions were divided into 14 ranks or ranks. All ranks could be obtained only for their personal qualities and for service.

In the first quarter of the 18th century, Peter carried out military reform, which was the most difficult task for both the Tsar and the people. Military service now fell on all classes of society, except for the clergy and citizens belonging to the guilds. All nobles were obliged to serve indefinitely as soldiers and officers. The royal decree of February, 26 1714 forbade the production of nobles into officers who did not serve as soldiers in the guards regiments. Success in the service Peter made for nobles dependent on education.

The foundations of much of what we have today in everyday life and perceive as a given were laid by Peter I. In December 30, 1701 (January 10, 1702), Peter issued a decree according to which the king's knees should not fall, in winter in the cold the hat in front of the house in which the tsar is located should not be removed. He explained the need for these innovations: "Less lowness, more zeal for service and fidelity to me and the state." Also, this decree ordered all classes, without exception, to write names in petition and other documents in full instead of derogatory half-names (Ivashka, Senka and the like), i.e. not only accessible, but also mandatory today full name in documents is equality donated by Peter.

Peter tried to change the position of women in the Russian society. He by special decrees (1700, 1702 and 1724) forbade forced marriage. It was prescribed that between betrothal and wedding there was at least a six - week period, "so that the groom and bride could recognize each other." If during this time, the decree said, "the bride's groom will not want to take, or the bride will not want to marry the groom," no matter how much the parents insist, "there is freedom to be."

Since 1702, the bride herself (and not only her relatives) was given the formal right to dissolve the betrothal and upset the consensual marriage, and neither of the parties had the right "to beat with a forfeit."

The legislative regulations of 1696-1704 on public festivals made it mandatory for all Russians, including the "female," to participate in celebrations and festivals.

So many facts in the historical memory of Voronezh Territory are associated with the personality of Peter the Great. At the end of the 17th century, when the young Tsar Peter I appeared on the Russian throne, our country was experiencing a turning point in its history.

It had no access to the seas – neither to the Black nor to the Baltic ones, through which it could develop foreign trade. Therefore, Russia did not have its own military fleet that would guard its borders.

The creation of a combat-ready army and fleet for Peter was the number one task.

Voronezh land became the cradle of the Russian Navy. In Voronezh, the Tsar began to implement a truly great plan – to create a combat-ready fleet in the region that had never before been associated with fleet.

It was decided to make Voronezh the base of the fleet for several reasons: an abundance of centuries-old forests suitable for the construction of ships; Lipetsk iron ore was near by; the Voronezh River flowed into the Don and during the flood had sufficient navigability, and the local population already had experience in the construction of river ships.

In 1696, Peter I came to Voronezh. Here he supervised the construction of the fleet, designed warships and worked at the shipyard himself, twice – in 1696 and 1699 – sailed from Voronezh along the rivers Voronezh and Don at the head of battle squadrons. He personally with his closest assistants, he made a number of important political decisions in Voronezh regarding war and peace, new reforms, conducted diplomatic negotiations with foreign ambassadors, interrogated participants in the Bulavin’s rebellion, took an exam from young nobles who studied abroad by his decree, ordered the opening of a school for the training of junior navy officers

In the fall and winter of 1696-1697, following Peter’s order, all the forests in Voronezh district were encountered. In December, 1696, Peter issued a decree on the arrangement of the "Admiralty Court" in Voronezh.

It should be borne in mind that the activities of Peter I in Voronezh Territory do not deserve admiration and respect in everything. He issued a series of cruel decrees on the ruin of cities and villages in Voronezh Territory, founded by free settlers without Tsar’s command. Among them were such famous modern district centers of Voronezh region as Anna, Bobrov. Boguchar. Burned by punitive detachments, completely wiped from the Earth by the will of Peter I, these villages were revived later in a new form: Anna and Bobrov – as villages of palace peasants, personal serfs of the Tsar, and Boguchar – as a settlement of serving Cossacks. The decrees of Peter I largely determined the specific history of the settlement of the territory of Voronezh region in the 18th century.

Since the historical activity of Peter I greatly influenced the development of the Voronezh Territory in all spheres of life, it was quite logical to erect monuments to the emperor.

Work on the Petrovsky monument for Voronezh began in 1859. The statue was cast in St. Petersburg. For the pedestal, red granite was brought from Pavlovsk, which is in Voronezh province. The work on linking the monument to the area and its installation on the square was led by the local architect A.A. Qui. It was the first monument in Voronezh. Peter is depicted in the uniform of an officer of the Preobrazhensky regiment. His right hand rested on the ship's anchor, and on his left he pointed to Azov. It is located in Petrovsky Square, opposite the building of the Office of Southeastern Railways

Half a century after the opening of the first monument in Voronezh, the second and rather unusual monument to the Tsar Reformer appeared. It was a bust installed in a special niche above the entrance to the main building of the agricultural institute.

It is known that this higher educational institution, by the way, the first in the history of Voronezh, at its foundation in 1912 received the name of Emperor Peter I

In the Voronezh region there are two more sculptural monuments to Peter. One of them, a granite bust, has been standing in Pavlovsk for more than 30 years. The second one appeared in 2014 on the embankment in the center of Boguchar

In addition to the monuments just mentioned, containing sculptural images of Emperor Peter I, in Voronezh region there are memorial structures that perpetuate specific events related to his activities. They, as a rule, have small dimensions, their artistic value is not very high, therefore they are often called not monuments, but memorabilia, but they regularly carry their historical and memorial mission

In 1703, Peter 1 founded the First State School in Voronezh. It was an educational institution that gave not only general primary education, but also trained shipbuilding and navigation specialists for the Russian military fleet then under construction in Voronezh.

Peter 1 led the construction of the first navy in the history of Russia in Voronezh, designed warships here and worked at the shipyard himself. The Tsar twice sailed from Voronezh along the rivers Voronezh and Don at the head of Russian combat squadrons. Peter I made a number of important political decisions in Voronezh, conducted diplomatic negotiations, interrogated participants in the Bulavinsky uprising, took an exam from young nobles who studied abroad by his decree, ordered the opening of a school for the training of junior fleet officers, and ordered excavations in the village of Kostenki – this fact was the beginning of the study of antiquities of Voronezh Territory. During the years of shipbuilding, the appearance of the city of Voronezh was noticeably changing. New buildings appeared: Admiralty, stone warehouses, sailing yard. A German settlement appeared on the embankment, where foreign masters, officers, sailors lived.

On the shore towered the houses of large nobles - A.D. Menshikov, F.M. Apraksin, F.A. Golovin. Voronezh residents could hardly be recognized. Many of them changed hazing long-sex caftans to European costumes. In order not to anger the sovereign, Voronezh residents parted with thick beards, learned to drink coffee, smoke tobacco.

Voronezh was one of the places of application of the endless energy and talents of the Tsar-converter.

Peter’s phrase is the best conclusion for this paper: "I anticipate that the Russians will someday, and maybe during our lifetime, shame the most enlightened peoples with their successes in the sciences, tireless work and the majesty of firm and loud glory."

Код для цитирования: Скопировать