The development of a particular region sometimes relies on the strength and
             intelligence of an individual. Throughout the years, many have proven themselves worthy
             of this exhausting task. When Peter Romanov was declared czar at age ten, he never
             could have guessed that one day, historians and others would refer to him as Peter the
             Great. 17th century Russia was undergoing tremendous change and modernization, and it
             Europe was the place people wanted to be if they desired to see the most recent
             technology and clothing styles. This was true all over Europe except for Russia, a very
             large country lying right under the Artic Ocean. Time seemed to have slowed down and
             stopped completely here. Technology was extremely poor compared to her neighboring
             countries. Nature easily ruled over most of the natives and serfs who lived as peasants or
             slaves. These are the folks who were relied on for labor, because of the lack of
             technology. The merciless Russian winters could bring an army to it's knees, and
             deathbeds if supplies were limited. The government was very close to that of a medieval
             one, as well as Russia's military forces. Elsewhere in Europe Holland was constructing a
             grand empire and Sweden was assembling an invincible army. Then Peter came to
             absolute power, and his obsession with the modern world outside of Russia brought along
             a transformation that affected society from all angles.
             Peter acquired numerous skills and abilities growing up in the Russian
             countryside. One of these was his ability to battle as soldiers did in wars. He carried this
             knowledge with him throughout his rule, and it changed the process in which men were
             selected for rank in his army. Usually, the wealthier a man was the higher his rank as a
             soldier. Peter disagreed with this law. He altered it to have men of experience, no matter
             what their social status, have a higher rank than men
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