Czar Peter the Great sought to reform Russian society and strengthen Russia's position in Europe in the early 18th century through political, economic, religious, and social changes. Politically, he established a modern bureaucracy and sought alliances with other European powers. Economically, he encouraged westernization to develop industry and trade. Religiously, he replaced the Orthodox Church's leadership with a group under his control. Socially, he implemented western fashions and tied social status to military or government ranks.