1. Harsh Measures: Peter introduced strict laws and punishments to control the nobility. He eliminated noble privileges, confiscated their lands if they showed any signs of disloyalty or disobedience, and forced them to serve the state and the army.
2. Demanding Loyalty: Peter expected unquestioned loyalty from the nobles. He required them to submit to his authority without hesitation or objection. Any noble who challenged his decisions or expressed dissent faced severe consequences.
3. Elimination of Autonomy: Peter sought to weaken the autonomy and influence of the traditional noble families. He created new ranks and titles, often bypassing the traditional hierarchy, and promoted individuals based on their loyalty and service to him rather than their lineage or social status.
4. Compulsory Public Service: Peter mandated that all nobles engage in public service. He abolished their right to live in seclusion on their estates and forced them to participate in government affairs, the military, or other state-related activities. This measure further solidified his control over the nobility and ensured their obedience to his authority.
5. Reduction in Economic Power: Peter took steps to reduce the economic power of the nobles. He imposed heavy taxation on their lands and limited their opportunities to accumulate wealth independently. This diminished their ability to challenge his rule financially and ensured their dependence on him for their livelihood.
6. Centralized Power: Peter centralized power within himself and the state bureaucracy. He curtailed the privileges and autonomy that the nobles had traditionally enjoyed, bringing them under the direct control of the crown. This consolidation of power left no room for noble influence or decision-making.
Overall, Peter's treatment of the nobles aimed to dismantle traditional aristocratic power structures, instill fear and obedience, and establish a centralized system where the tsar held absolute authority over all aspects of society, including the nobility.