Final answer:
Peter the Great's modernization efforts during his reign mark a turning point in Russian history, especially through the Grand Embassy and military reforms. Challenges to this viewpoint include the persistence of an underdeveloped economy. Catherine the Great's reign could be viewed as a greater turning point due to her extensive territorial expansions and further governmental reforms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Peter the Great's reign was indeed a turning point in Russian history. A strong piece of evidence supporting this argument is Peter's Grand Embassy, an 18-month tour of Europe where he studied shipbuilding and administrative techniques which he later implemented to modernize the Russian Empire. His efforts in establishing a navy, reforming the military, and introducing a more efficient government system were crucial in transforming Russia into a European power.
However, one could argue that Peter's drive for modernization did not completely revolutionize Russia. While he made efforts to reform, his methods did not fully penetrate the deeply entrenched feudal system, leaving Russia economically undeveloped compared to Western Europe. This suggests that Russia's transformation was not as profound as it might appear on the surface.
When considering Catherine the Great's reign, one might argue that her period was a more significant turning point. She continued Peter's work but also took measures to reorganize the government, advanced education, and culture, and greatly expanded Russian territory, especially into Crimea and toward the Ottoman Empire, challenging the existing European balance of power.