Peter the Great influenced Russia for several reasons. He attempted to westernize (Europeanize) Russia and he was successful. He raised Russia as a great power. Peter affected the military, religion, government, economy and society. Peter also made an impact upon women. Peter also introduced new customs to Russia that molded and changed it. .
Peter was a tsar (a person having great power) who became an emperor in 1682. He accomplished many goals that were very important. Peter received a firsthand view of the West in 1697 to 1698. This visit westernized Russia because Peter adopted the European customs, practices and manners. He planned the preparation of the first Russian book o etiquette to teach Western manners. He made men cut their beards and shorten coats because westerners did not wear beards or have long-skirted coats. Peter was so determined that he imposed the new look at court by shaving the nobles" beards and cutting their coats at the knees with his own hands. Outside the court, laws were enforced by barbers and tailors planted at town gates with orders to cut the beards and cloaks of those who entered or left.
He was very eager to borrow European technology. He realized that the only this kind of transformation could give him the army and navy he needed to make Russia a great power.