Two tsars and a regent: Sophia's regency (1682โ1689)
In 1682 the tsar died without a clear heir. After a rising by the streltsy (Moscow's gun troops), ten-year-old Peter and his sick half-brother Ivan V were made co-tsars. Their older sister Sophia became regent (a person who rules for a child). She ruled for 7 years with her adviser Prince Golitsyn.
In 1687 and 1689 Golitsyn led two Crimean campaigns against the Crimean Khanate. Both failed to win the land and made Sophia less popular. In 1686 Russia made an "Eternal Peace" with Poland, and in 1689 the Treaty of Nerchinsk set a border with Qing China.
Peter takes power (1689)
Peter grew up outside the Kremlin and loved boats, drills and "toy" regiments, which later became real guards regiments. In August 1689 he moved against Sophia. The nobles and many troops joined him. Sophia was put in a convent. Ivan V stayed co-tsar by name until he died in 1696, but Peter ruled.
The Azov campaigns (1695โ1696)
Russia wanted a way to the southern sea and to fight the Ottoman Empire. Azov is a fortress at the mouth of the river Don. Peter attacked it in 1695 with only an army. Ships brought supplies to the fortress by sea, so the attack failed.
Peter learned fast. In the winter he built a river fleet at Voronezh. In 1696 his fleet blocked the sea and Azov was taken. It was Russia's first success of this kind. Peter then ordered a bigger navy to be built.
The Grand Embassy (1697โ1698)
In 1697 a large group left Moscow to find allies against the Ottomans and to learn. Peter went with it in secret as "Peter Mikhailov", a simple carpenter. He was the first Russian ruler to travel in western Europe.
- Riga and Koenigsberg: artillery lessons.
- Holland (Zaandam, Amsterdam): he worked in shipyards to learn shipbuilding.
- England (London, Deptford): ships, science and a visit to the Royal Society.
- Vienna: army and diplomacy.
The embassy did not find allies, but Peter hired many experts and bought tools and books.
Back home, 1698
In 1698 the streltsy rose again, and Peter hurried home. The revolt was already put down, but he punished the leaders hard and later disbanded the streltsy. He began to change daily life: nobles were told to cut long beards and wear European clothes. The ideas he brought home prepared the big reforms and the war with Sweden.
Try it
Make a road of dates. On a strip of paper write 1682, 1689, 1695, 1696, 1697, 1698. Under each put Peter's age (year minus 1672). Predict first: how old was he when Azov fell? Then check with the slider in the 3D.
Key formulas and definitions
- Peter's age = year โ 1672 (born 1672)
- 1682 co-tsars โ 1689 Peter takes power โ 1695 Azov fails โ 1696 Azov taken โ 1697-98 Grand Embassy
- Regent: a person who rules for a child ruler
Worked examples
1. How old was Peter when he took power in 1689?
1689 โ 1672 = 17 years.
2. For how many years did Sophia rule as regent (1682 to 1689)?
1689 โ 1682 = 7 years.
3. Why did the first Azov campaign fail but the second succeed?
In 1695 Peter had no fleet, so the fortress was supplied by sea. In 1696 his new fleet from Voronezh blocked the sea and Azov was taken.
Common mistakes
- Thinking Peter ruled alone from 1682. He shared the title with Ivan V, and Sophia ruled for them.
- Mixing up 1695 (failed) and 1696 (Azov taken).
- Believing the Grand Embassy was a war. It was a travel mission to learn and find allies.
- Thinking Peter travelled as an open tsar. He used the name "Peter Mikhailov".