Final answer:
Peter the Great and Catherine the Great were part of the Romanov dynasty. Their efforts to modernize Russia were influenced by Peter's study in Europe and Catherine's policies that aimed to Westernize the nation, despite the challenge of maintaining absolute rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
Peter the Great (r. 1672-1725) and Catherine the Great were both part of the Romanov dynasty, which ruled Russia for several centuries. Peter I, also known as Peter the Great, embarked on an 18-month visit to Europe in disguise to learn about shipbuilding and administrative techniques. This was part of his efforts to modernize Russia and herald the start of the Russian Empire. Catherine the Great, who ruled after Peter, continued to Westernize Russia, although her efforts, like those of other tsars, were hindered by a desire to maintain absolute rule, leading to Russia's continued economic underdevelopment into the 1800s.
Both Peter and Catherine were well aware of Russia's significant natural resources and the envy and fear it provoked in Europe. They knew that in order for Russia to compete on the global stage and maintain its vast empire, they needed to adopt certain European ways of governance and technological advancements.