1. Daria Dobrowolski

2.  At the end of the 17 th century, Peter the Great wanted to gain access to the Baltic Sea. He also hoped to have contact with the West.  Peter the Great started the Northern War with Sweden in order to gain access to the Baltic.  In 1703, Peter took over and controlled the Neva river, and also founded the city of St. Petersburg.

3.  The Northern War was against Sweden for access to the Baltic Sea and also regain control over the lands of North Western Russia, land that was lost in 1613.  The Nistadt Peace Treaty was signed in 1721 after an invasion of Sweden; Russians now had access to the Baltic, and they could keep the land along with their new capital- St. Petersburg.

4.  Peter wanted to control the Baltic Sea so he could expand Russia.  He also wanted the Baltic Sea because it would bring Russia closer to the West.  It was also a warm port, so Russians could trade all year.

5.  First residence in city was built by Peter himself.  It was built out of wood, and Peter live in the house between 1703-1708.  It is still open to the public today.

6.  Peter admired European culture and St. Petersburg was modeled after European cities.  Over 30,000 people, usually prisoners, died working on the city. Dysentery and malaria was spreading and the workers would be harshly punished, from mutilation to execution.

7.  http://europeanhistory.about.com/library/we ekly/aa021201a.htm http://europeanhistory.about.com/library/we ekly/aa021201a.htm  www.saint- petersburg.com/history/foundation.asp www.saint- petersburg.com/history/foundation.asp  www.saint-petersburg.com/history/first- years.asp www.saint-petersburg.com/history/first- years.asp