Princess Sofia's reign is underappreciated, I think. Definitely due to intense hatred Peter had for his eldest sister and intense veneration Russian historiography had for Peter. Sofia was not Great, in any sense, but Russia did crawl in the direction of modernization during her time. It was both political and economical necessity, and Sofia, a capable ruler in precarious position played around with reforms as much as she could.

But what a fun thought exercise! thank you for writing it all up!