Source A Adapted from a speech by Peter the Great to some Russian gentlemen
I know that the preference that I give to foreigners is not pleasing to all my subjects. But some of my subjects are intelligent and observe that I treat foreigners well and try to get them to stay so that my subjects can learn from them and adopt their sciences and arts, for the good of Russia. I also have foolish and wicked subjects who do not appreciate my good intentions and wish to remain in their ignorance. In their stupidity they despise anything good which is new to them and would willingly hinder it if only they could. They do not reflect on what it was like in our country before I travelled in foreign lands and invited foreigners to Russia, and how little I would have achieved without their aid against our powerful enemies.
Source B Adapted from NP Pavlov Silvanksi, Popular Reactions to Reform, 1897
The year 1697 started a pilgrimage of Russians to the West, which continued throughout Peter's reign. Many Russians went abroad and often lived their for long periods, either to study at the Tsar's command, or in the course of state service, or simply by personal choice. Immediately after the Tsar's first journey abroad, Russian society was swept with the desire to become acquainted with Western life. Peter, who had first sent young people abroad with the sole aim of securing expert seamen, eventually came to understand the cultural importance of direct contact with Western European life.
Source C Adapted from M Rady, Russia, Poland and the Ukraine 1462-1725, 1990
Peter's 'Great Embassy' to Western Europe had stirred within him a desire to seek Russia's modernisation and transformation. Thus, once he returned to Moscow, he at once sought to impose western manners on his subjects. The process of Westernisation gathered pace during the first years of the new century. In 1700 Peter commenced hostilities with Sweden. As it turned out Russia was seriously unprepared for the war which followed. A basic lack of resources, combined with poor military provision and administrative disorganisation made Russia an easy target for invasion. In order to meet the Swedish challenge, Peter was forced to increase the speed of modernisation.
Use Sources A, B, C and your own knowledge. How far were Peter's westernisation policies driven by the needs of war? 24 marks
Your first task is to find the best quote from each source to back up your argument (either in support or against the question). For each quote you need to provide a sentence to explain why you chose it.
Once you have had an opportunity to read other responses and make your comments about them, your second task is to write your most important argument from your own knowledge and justify your choice.
