250 years ago, one of the most difficult and bloody wars between Russia and its long - standing rival in the Baltic, Sweden, ended. In this war, called the Northern War (1700-1721), many European states, Turkey and its vassal, the Crimean Khanate, directly or indirectly participated. After major battles on land and at sea, after intense diplomatic struggle, the war ended in a complete victory for Russia. The task of acquiring access to the Baltic Sea was successfully solved. The Northern War played a huge role not only in strengthening the international position of Russia, which became one of the great powers after the victory, but also in its internal development. It contributed to the rapid growth of the manufactory and mining industry, accelerated the reorganization of the armed forces and the improvement of the military art of the army, and the construction of the navy. The solution of these tasks contributed to the development of science, technology, and education in the country, as well as strengthening economic and cultural ties with Western European countries. The victorious outcome of the Northern War was a historical justification for the progressive reforms implemented in Russia at the turn of the XVII-XVIII centuries. 1. On the edge of two centuries Under the impression of the brilliant Russian victories at Poltava and Gangut, the successful completion of the Northern War, it is sometimes forgotten that at the end of the XVII century. Russia was in real danger of losing its national independence and becoming an appendage of more powerful States that were trying to use its economic and cultural backwardness to their own advantage. "We do not know of a single historical figure whose sphere of activity was so extensive," 1 the Russian historian S. M. Solovyov wrote about Peter the Great. In fact, protecting the fundamental interests of the nobility and merchants, this, according to F. Engels' "truly great man" 2 carried out his reforms with great energy, en ... Read more