ABSTRACT
It was in the eighteenth century that Russia became a major European power. The most spectacular rise in her international status occurred in the reign of Peter the Great (1682-1725). His Great Northern War against Sweden, concluded by the Treaty of Nystadt in 1721, secured for Russia her 'window on the West'. Her acquisitions included the territories that became modern Estonia and parts of those which became modern Latvia. Peter founded the new capital of St Petersburg on the Gulf of Finland to demonstrate Russia's permanent footing on the Baltic. Embassies were rapidly established in the capitals of Europe and the Imperial title he accepted from the newly created Senate was gradually recognized by his fellow monarchs.
