Peter the Great was one of Russia's most powerful monarchs. He used the idea of "divine right" to inherit the title of Czar along his family lines. He used his powers as an absolute monarch to build a large army and navy and wage expensive wars. He wanted to expand Russia and the title of Czar allowed him to. He was intent on making Russia the most powerful country in the world. In 1700 he declared the Northern War with Sweden, which lasted 21 years. It also gained him the city of St. Petersburg. He built the city on a swamp and thousands of workers died just to get the Czar what he wanted. He used the divine right to make them do what he wanted.