The Building of St. Petersburg: Was It Worth The Deaths?

The benefits of building St Petersburg were not worth the deaths and suffering it caused thousands of people. 

Peter the Great, a ruler from the age of ten was determined to expand Russia and modernize the nation. Trade in Russia was lagging, due to the lack of a year round warm water port. In order to advance the nation, learn Western practices and adopt modern technology in Russia, Peter travelled to Europe. Here he learnt modern science, education and military training. It became mandatory in Russia to adapt to Western style facial hair and clothing. After being inspired by Western civilizations, Peter was determined to maintain association with Europe and gain a seaport. To achieve this vast endeavor, he decided to build a modern city named St Petersburg. 

To gain a seaport and have access to Western Europe, Peter fought for many areas such as the Black sea and the Baltic. He battled the Ottoman empire and the Swedes to accomplish this extra control. Russia won land adjoining the Baltic Sea, and it was here that Peter decided to build his modern city. The city, built on the banks of the Nera river, was to be Russia’s new capital. Architecturally, the city was based on Western designs. Peasants from around the country were rounded up to build what would be a modern city. Russia’s trade roots and influence was finally born.

Constructing St. Petersburg turned out to be a horrific experience for the workers. Peter the Great forced tens of thousands of serfs to “drain the swamps where the city was to be built” (World History). St Petersburg symbolized Peter the Great’s dream for an industrial society. He compelled thousands of peasants to work long hours, in dangerous and inhumane conditions. Factors like vicious wolves, malaria, scurvy and malnutrition resulted in many deaths.. Many workers were dismissed without pay and thousands lost their lives. Peter charged ahead with his cruel mission, seemingly oblivious to the consequences. Relocation to the new city took place – he forced peasants, some middle class and nobles to move to St. Petersburg. The city was industrialized, and foreign items and technology were imported. Although St Petersburg aided Russia in flourishing as a modern nation, it was definitely not worth the horrendous devastation it caused.

Peter the Great achieved a lot through building St Petersburg, but he was a tyrannical leader. He “dragged Russia out of medieval times, centralized government, modernized the nation, expanded Russian trade and army and created an advancing foreign policy” (History Learning Site).  However, there were other ways Russia could have emerged from it’s feudal state. Russia could have modernized by adapting different foreign policies, such as internationalism. St Petersburg is a remarkable achievement, but the brutality of Peter marred the significance of such a historic event. “He is a man of very hot temper, soon inflamed and very brutal in his passion” (Readings in European History). He appeared to be impervious to the bleak reality of the construction. The construction of the city was not essential for Russia to escape isolation, and due to Peter’s ruthless actions, the ends did not justify the means.

Peter the Great was an egocentric despot who cared little for the lives of his citizens. The advantages of building St Petersburg do not outweigh or justify the torturous suffering and death of several thousand innocent people.