Part 5, The New Russia, Chapters 58-63 and Epilogue Summary and Analysis

Chapter 58, "In the Service of the State," looks at Peter's achievements vis-a-vis his father's and the major efforts he makes in domestic matters after Poltava. During the war, Peter keeps Muscovite forms of governing and decentralizes administration to maximize tax collection and recruiting. He creates a Senate to rule in his absence and turn his hasty ideas into legislation. When Senators prove difficult to control and motivate, Peter creates oversight and moves executive functions to Western-style "colleges" run by foreign experts. As he grows older, Peter appreciates that laws and institutions cannot function when arbitrarily controlled from above. Peter demands that all Russians competently serve the state in the army, navy, or civil service, and rise only by merit. He ends primogeniture to keep estates intact. He...