Kronshtadt, military port, northwestern European Russia, on Kotlin Island in the Gulf of Finland, near Saint Petersburg. Kronshtadt is a major naval station for the Russian Baltic fleet. Tsar Peter the Great, recognizing the value of Kotlin to the defense of his new capital, Saint Petersburg, seized the island from Sweden in 1703. In 1710 a fortress was constructed here, and until 1885 the community also served as the port of Saint Petersburg. Kronshtadt's military personnel participated in the uprisings of 1825, 1882, 1905-6, 1917, and 1921. The unsuccessful Kronshtadt rebellion of 1921, the first important anti-Soviet revolt after the civil war (1918-1921), was notable in influencing the government to adopt the reforms known as the New Economic Policy. During World War II, Kronshtadt played a major role in the defense of St. Petersburg against the Germans (1941-44). Population (1995) 40,525.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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