Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/509

 Russia and Prussia become European Powers 377 and Germany he engaged artisans, scientific men, architects, ship captains, and those versed in artillery and in the training of troops all of whom he took back with him to aid in the reform and development of Russia. 650. Peter introduces European Customs. Peter made his people give up their cherished oriental beards and long flowing NORTHEASTERN EUROPE IN THE TIME OF PETER THE GREAT garments. He forced the women of the richer classes, who had been kept in a sort of oriental harem, to come out and meet the men in social assemblies, such as were common in the West. He invited foreigners to settle in Russia and sent young Russians abroad to study. He reorganized the government on the model of a Western kingdom and made over his army in the same way, 651. Founding of St. Petersburg. Finding that the old capi- tal, Moscow, clung persistently to its ancient habits, Peter pre- pared to found a new capital for his new Russia. He selected for