Final answer:
Feelings towards Peter the Great among his subjects were mixed. Some viewed him with reverence as the 'Father Tsar' and respected his modernization efforts, while others were apprehensive about his autocratic rule and Westernizing reforms. This complexity of opinion continued with subsequent tsars, culminating in widespread discontent with the monarchy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sentiments held by Peter the Great's subjects were complex and varied, influenced by the sweeping changes he brought during his reign. While Peter the Great was revered by some as the 'Father Tsar' and 'Otets Otechvesta' (Father of the Fatherland), which symbolizes respect and endearment, his push for modernization and centralization also created unrest among various segments of society.
For instance, the traditionalists and those attached to old Russian customs may have resisted Peter's Westernizing reforms, fearing the loss of their identity and the increasing power of an autocratic state. Meanwhile, others admired the economic progress and the advancements that were being made towards turning Russia into a significant European power. However, later in Russian history, events like 'Bloody Sunday' in 1905 severely damaged the myth of the benevolent and protective Tsar.
These conflicting views show that while Peter the Great was seen as a strong and necessary ruler by some, others viewed his governance with skepticism and fear. The forceful assimilation policies of subsequent tsars, like Alexander III's Russification, further underpinned the discontent that eventually led to the downfall of the Tsarist regime.