During Peter the Great's reign, what was the most important segment of the Russian economy?

During Peter the Great's reign, serfs constituted the most important segment of the Russian economy. The serfdom system was deeply entrenched in Russian society and served as the backbone of agricultural production during this period. Serfs were bound to the land and worked for landowners, who were often from the nobility. This arrangement allowed the nobility to maintain their wealth and power, as the labor of serfs ensured agricultural productivity and the sustenance of the economy.

Peter the Great's reforms focused on modernizing Russia and expanding its influence, but they also reinforced the existing social structure, where serfs played a crucial role in supporting both the economy and the military. While other segments such as the nobility and emerging industries were significant, it was the labor provided by serfs that primarily sustained the agrarian economy and allowed the nobility to prosper during his reign. The reliance on serfs for agricultural production highlights their pivotal role in the overall economic framework of 17th and early 18th century Russia.