32 Multiple Choice 3 points Who did Russia defeat to establish itself as a powerful nation? France Norway Sweden None of the above

In the early 18th century, Russia established itself as a powerful nation through the Great Northern War, where it defeated Sweden. This conflict, which lasted from 1700 to 1721, allowed Peter the Great to expand Russian territory and establish significant influence in the Baltic region. It marked the rise of Russia as a major European power and started a new era of modernization and reform under Peter. The defeat of Sweden was significant not only militarily but also culturally, as Russia's victory ushered in an age of new ideas and advancements in science, industry, and the arts. It also enhanced Peter the Great's reputation as a reformer, which led to sweeping changes in Russia's government and society, setting the stage for its emergence as a formidable empire.