Social developments, Westernisation and extent of change by 1725
Peter forced Russian nobles and officials to adopt Western European customs, dress, and manners. Historians debate how deeply these changes actually transformed Russian society.
Real World
Peter's Assembly decree of 1718 forced nobles to attend mixed-gender social gatherings in Western dress and converse in European languages — a top-down cultural revolution as jarring as any modern government mandating a change in national dress code.
Exam Focus
For 'extent of change' questions, always contrast the elite experience with that of serfs — Westernisation barely touched the peasant majority, which limits any claim of deep transformation.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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