Peter implemented major reforms that helped develop Russia's economy

Peter through the Western education and way of life introduced in Russia helped to educate farmers about new farming methods and this helped to increase the arable land. This thus helped in the production of raw materials to supply the tsar's nascent industries. For example, in Russia today it is common to see people frying potatoes in sunflower oil. However, perhaps not many Russians know that we do this today because Peter the Great brought back from the Netherlands both potatoes and sunflowers, (they originally came to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century). The tsar foresaw that the Russians could make good use of these, but at first, the people objected.

While farmers pretty quickly understood what to do with sunflowers, potatoes proved a challenge. They were strictly required to grow the tuber but were given no instructions on how to cook and eat it. Instead of consuming potatoes, which they should have done, they tried to eat the inedible and often poisoned potato leaves. In fact, farmers often call it "the devil's apple". But after a while, everyone made peace with this tuber and by the end of the 19th century, it became the "second bread" for the Russian.

He also founded mines and factories that helped industrialize Russia, and these can be said to be the foundation of Russia's mining and manufacturing industries to this day. He was able to balance Russia's central budget after years of deficits and was able to build a solid financial base for his successors. Also by creating about 300 mines, factories, and enterprises, large groups of people were recruited and this gave the people an honest income, and a lot of capital was created for other investments due to the workers must pay income tax.