The collection consists of articles by Soviet historians - specialists in the history of Russia at the end of the 17th - first quarter of the 18th centuries, written on the basis of new materials. The collection touches on the most important aspects of the country's life: a radical change in the international role of Russia, class struggle and struggle in the field of ideology, the economy of large feudal lords; there are articles about the environment of Peter I, a description of the socio-political views of Peter I is also given.