Peter the great in N.M. Karamzin’s reflections

Introduction. The conservative trend is fashionable and highly sought in the political discourse of modern Russia. This indicates the relevance of studying the history of conservative thought. The novelty of the article is the attraction and analysis of new sources, which made it possible to concretize the attitude of N.M. Karamzin to Peter I. The aim of the study is to identify and establish the views of Karamzin on the role of Peter the Great in the history of Russia. The objectives are to identify the stages and directions of the evolution of the views of N.M. Karamzin on the reformer and his activities, determining the causes of its changes. Methods. The article uses the problem-chronological method within the framework of intellectual history. Analysis. Based on the analysis of the historian’s work, it is asserted that through the end of the 18th century N.M. Karamzin extolled Peter the Great and justified his cruel reformation methods. Starting from the reign of reform-minded Alexander I of Russia and being influenced by revolutionary events in France, the Russian historian began to criticize Peter the Great. In his Memoir on Ancient and Modern Russia the historian criticized Peter’s violation of national traditions and his barbaric methods of the country’s Europeanization. Later, in the closing stages of the reign of Alexander I, the historian having considered Russia’s victory over France, stepped back to his positive evaluation of Peter the Great as the ruler of the country, who laid the groundwork for Russia’s power and prestige. Results. Thus, the article analyzes the evolution of the views of the major ideologist of Russian conservatism N. M. Karamzin on the role of Peter the Great in Russian history. Research gaps are closed, requiring filling by engaging sources for analysis not previously involved in scientific circulation.