Russia - Social Impacts

During Peter the Great's reign, he focused mainly on modernizing and westernizing Russia. The reforms and laws he implemented significantly had many different impacts on Russia. He recognized the Russian army along the European line and was determined to have Russia become a maritime power. He implemented many policies that were affiliated to certain policies and laws he observed during his travels to the west. He sought to obtain more maritime outlets, more effective ways of travel and trade, and increasing the employment rates. He introduced new taxes that were payable by everyone, from serfs to the nobility. He ultimately changed the entire appearance of Russia. He abstained the notion that European customs were in several respects superior to certain and specific Russian traditions. He also sought to end arranged marriages and other most unsuitable and barbaric traditions that remained stagnant within Russia after Peter the Great took rule. He was determined to help society and implement reforms and rule that could become conducive to the well being of Russia.

Russia - Viewed By A Peasant

Our new ruler, Peter the Great has been so diligent and determined to correct the wrongs in Russia and fix what our last ruler left for him. Already he has implemented sweeping reforms that are specifically aimed at modernizing Russia. He has also introduced new taxes to fund improvements within the town of Saint Petersburg, which is slowly increasing in its unemployment and its poverty rate. He's proceeded to abolish land taxes and household taxes and replacing them with capitation. The new head taxes that he is beginning to introduce are in fact payable by serfs and peasants. It's extremely impressive how Peter the Great's main goal is to modernize and better the appearance, government, economy and politics of Russia. We are all living in immense poverty, yet with the new taxes, laws, and the new determined and optimistic attitude over the new "westernization" AND "modernization" of Russia, we might be slowly digging ourselves out of the hole we were viciously put in.

 

Poland - Viewed By A Peasant

This country needs to obtain a ruler that can help it stand on its own two feet again. Our government is so disheveled, we are not even sure where to turn to. Our ruler makes laws that are continuously vetoed by nobles who have absolutely no experience in conducting a country. Our economy is slowly suffering from this and there is no way we can possibly fix it due to our egregious debt and our lack of employment. There needs to be a way we can elect a leader who can sort out the problems in this country and especially provide for the people who need it most, the peasants. 

Poland - Viewed By A Noble

The government in Poland is slowly increasing in its corruption, stupidity, and absolute chaos. Us, being the nobility have been presented with the authority to veto any law that we find is unjust and unfair. Most of the laws that have been passed we have continued to veto, yet this can't be a conducive way to organize and run an constitutional government. So far, there have been no just and acceptable laws passed, leading our government to be run by inexperience. 

Russia - Viewed By A Noble

Now Russia is under complete new rule. This young man by the name of Peter the Great seems to have some impressive new ideas for "modernizing" (as he calls it) Russia. Apparently his notions seem to involve "westernizing" the whole of Russia. He seems to be making some conducive changes to our ancient society. He is also taking a hold on some of the oppressive requirements the nobility within Russia were presented with by our former ruler. He is stepping up and taking away arranged marriages, an inconvenience and in some instances, a horrific situation for certain nobility throughout the country. Peter the Great feels that such a practice is barbaric because most of the partners forced together, eventually will come to resent each other. All this resentment leads to domestic violence. He is also thinking of the people and our children. The children of the nobility are now going to be experiencing education at earlier points in their life, especially in the areas of science and math, considering most of the children's parents are lawyers, government clerks, and bankers. I am very pleased with our new leader's expectations and future plans. I feel he can help expand and better our society.