However, he was obsessed with turning Russia into a naval and European power, like its European rivals, and wanted access to the Black Sea. This campaign failed, but he turned his attention to the Baltic and occupied territories that Sweden had annexed from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, while Russia was weakened by a period of internal strife known as the “Hour of Trouble” following Ivan’s descent. the Terrible in madness. Peter declared war on Sweden, triggering what became known as the Great Northern War, a 21-year conflict that would prove to be the end of the Swedish Empire but fundamental to Russia. It remained in control of most of the Gulf of Finland, including modern-day Estonia and the future location of St. Petersburg. Russia was also officially declared an empire and elevated to the status of a major European power.
