Peter the Great and his Military Reforms

Peter the Great learned to hate the Russian military and social system from a young age, having endured revolts against his family, and a constant threat of military coups.  He realized the military had fallen far behind the rest of Europe and needed reform.  He had a clear plan for his foreign policy, which would require a strong military to contend with Russian neighbors.  He was also constantly under the threat of a military coup, and knew that a strong army would protect him from these kinds of threats.  Peter made vast reforms in the way soldiers were recruited and regulated the army using strict discipline and training.  Peter changed the way military service worked by introducing a system of ranks for the military in 1722 based on competence and merit.  This was vastly different than the previous system in which a position was automatically granted at birth.  Peter also made military service a lifelong affair, in which nobles were required to serve in all campaigns they were called to, and if they didn’t they would lose their land and title.  This made it much easier for Peter to muster an army in emergencies.

As guns and cannons evolved, low ranking infantry troops became very important, while the cavalry slowly lost its importance.  In order to raise enough men to support his campaigns, Peter needed to change the way recruitment was done.  He offered special levees in which attractive pay would be offered to any freeman interested in joining the military.  He also offered “freedom” to serfs who joined the army; however they required permission from their landowners to join.  He also recruited the bulk of his troops using a conscription system.  This was basically a draft that during Peter’s time stated that every 20 households were required to produce 1 recruit.  Peter didn’t invent the conscription system but he used it far more than any other Tsar before him. 

Peter also realized that a large army would not be effective unless it was properly trained.  He took measures to make sure all soldiers trained regularly, and received the same training.  Peter instituted strict rules for all troops and made brutal punishments for those who deserted.  He also took steps to regulate the payment of soldiers.  Not all of these new regulations were totally effective however, because the army was so vast, and the treasury was constantly low.  In fact, Peter’s troops were still subjected to grueling marches, and although he began a process to make uniforms for the entire army, it was a very slow process.  Many of the troops were under the real threat of freezing to death.  Even injured soldiers were not allowed to return home; instead they were used as trainers for new recruits.

Troops from Peter’s modernized army

Peter the Great