Final answer:
Peter the Great was the first Russian to try to westernize Russia, incorporating European administrative techniques and technology to modernize his realm and establish the Russian Empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
Peter the Great was the first Russian leader to attempt to westernize Russia. His approach to modernizing his realm included traveling to Europe in disguise to learn new administrative techniques and shipbuilding, which he later utilized to modernize Russia and establish the Russian Empire. Peter the Great's rule saw significant reforms such as the development of a modern army and navy, the reorganization of the Russian government, and efforts to adopt European customs and industrial practices. Although he expanded Russian territory and reduced the power of the nobles, and whilst it was his successor Nicholas I who organized and wielded the secret police force, Peter's main distinction was his push towards Western European styles of governance and technology.