Alexis died in 1676 in the 48th year of his age. During his reign he had attempted to promote learning and the arts, but his efforts to introduce Russia the customs of more enlightened nations met with but slight success.
Russia had been Asiatic under the Ruriks and, when the first Romanoffs tried to make it European, progress was slow. The people who were grossly ignorant were wedded to the old customs and superstitions. It required the strong hand and the master mind of Peter the Great, who came later, to civilize them.
Feodor III, the son of Alexis, succeeded him, coming to the throne at nineteen years of age. He was a prince weak in body but of strong intellect, and instituted many reforms, which, however, he did not live to see consummated. His aim was internal improvement rather than the conquest of new territory. He tried to check the pride of nobles which had become insufferable, the family which could show the longest pedigree being the most arrogant.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
