376 General History of Europe occupation had left its mark, for the princes and people continued to follow the habits of their former Mongolian rulers. In 1547 Ivan the Terrible assumed the title of "Tsar," 1 which was the Russian equivalent of "king" or "emperor." 648. Peter the Great (1672-1725). When Peter came to the throne, in 1672, he saw that Russia was very much behind the rest of Europe and that his crudely equipped soldiers could never make head against the well-armed and well-disciplined troops of the West. His kingdom was Asiatic in manners and customs, and its govern- ment was like that of a Tartar prince. Moreover, Russia had no outlet to the IH sea and no ships and with- out these could never hope to take part in the world's affairs. Peter's two great tasks were, therefore, to introduce Western habits into his barbarous realms and to " make a window," as he expressed it, through which Russia might look abroad. And he succeeded in both these enterprises. 649. Peter's Travels in Europe. In 1697-1698 Peter himself visited Germany, Holland, and England with a view to investi- gating every art and science of the West, as well as the most approved methods of manufacture. Nothing escaped the keen eyes of this rude, half-savage Northern giant. For a week he put on the wide breeches of a Dutch laborer and worked in the shipyard at Zaandam near Amsterdam. In England, Holland, 1 The word " Tsar," or " Czar," is derived from " Csesar" (German, Kaiser), but was used in Slavic books for the title of the kings of antiquity as well as for the Roman em- perors. Peter the Great called himself " Imperator " ; that is, " emperor." The Tsar was also known as " Autocrat of all the Russias." PETER THE GREAT
