Peter achieves Muscovy's expansion into Europe and its transformation into the Russian Empire through several major initiatives.

He establishes Russia's naval forces, reorganizes the army according to European models, streamlines the government, and mobilizes Russia's financial and human resources.

Under Peter, the army drafts soldiers for lifetime terms from the taxpaying population, and it draws officers from the nobility and requires them to give lifelong service in either the military or civilian administration.

In 1722 Peter introduces the Table of Ranks, which determines a person's position and status according to service to the tsar rather than to birth or seniority.

Even commoners who achieve a certain level on the table are ennobled automatically.