The foreign policy of Peter I can be called successful. The foreign policy of Peter I is brief and clear - the main and important thing. Judicial reform of Peter I

Introduction

Peter was, undoubtedly, a great and talented ruler like very few. Of course, he made an invaluable contribution to the development of the country. During the reign of Peter I, special attention was undoubtedly paid to foreign policy. And now, in our difficult times, much attention is paid to foreign policy, just as during the reign of Peter I. And perhaps in his policy lies the answer to the question: How should Russia behave on the world stage?

The topic of foreign policy is discussed quite deeply and fully in the books by Leshilovskaya I.I. Peter I and the Balkans, Tarle E.V. Russian fleet and foreign policy of Peter I and Knyazkov Essays on the history of Peter the Great and his time.

In my work I will try to tell in more detail about the outer raft of the young Tsar Peter I.

To achieve this goal, the following tasks have been set: firstly, to talk about the Azov campaigns; secondly, talk about the Great Embassy. The reference apparatus of this work is designed using the method of extra-textual links.

In this abstract, the events take place on the territory of the European part and the Russian Empire. Chronological scope of the work: the turn of the 17th-18th centuries, 1695-1699.

A distinctive feature of Russian foreign policy in the first quarter of the 18th century was its high activity. The almost continuous wars waged by Peter I were aimed at solving the main national task - Russia's acquisition of the right to access the sea. Peter I sought to strengthen the international position of the state and increase its role in international relations. The country was cut off from both the northern and southern seas: access to the Baltic Sea was prevented by Sweden, the Azov and Black Sea held by Türkiye. Initially, the foreign policy of the Petrine government had the same direction as in the previous period. This was Russia’s movement to the south, the desire to eliminate the Wild Field, which arose in very ancient times as a result of the onset of the nomadic world. It blocked Russia's road to trade on the Black and Mediterranean seas, obstructed economic development countries. A manifestation of this “southern” foreign policy line were Peter’s “Azov” campaigns.

1 Azov campaigns of Peter I

Azov campaigns of 1695 and 1696 - Russian military campaigns against the Ottoman Empire; were undertaken by Peter I at the beginning of his reign and ended with the capture of the Turkish fortress of Azov. They can be considered the first significant accomplishment of the young king. These military companies were the first step towards solving one of the main tasks facing Russia at that time - gaining access to the sea.

The choice of the southern direction as the first goal is due to several main reasons:

· Firstly, the war with the Ottoman Empire seemed an easier task than the conflict with Sweden, which was closing access to Baltic Sea.

· Secondly, the capture of Azov would make it possible to secure southern regions countries from the raids of the Crimean Tatars.

· Thirdly, Russia, together with its allies (Rzeczpospolita, Austria and Venice), has been at war with Turkey since 1686.

The first Azov campaign of 1695

In the winter and spring of 1695, they were built on the Don transport ships: plows, sea boats and rafts for delivering troops, ammunition, artillery and food from deployment to Azov. This can be considered the beginning, albeit imperfect for solving military problems at sea, but the first Russian fleet.

In the early spring of 1695, the Russian army under the command of boyar Sheremetyev, together with detachments of the Dnieper Cossacks, recaptured two fortresses from the Turks, and in June Peter I began the siege of Azov, a very strong Turkish fortress, which controlled the exit to the Sea of ​​Azov from the Don.

The first attempt to capture (storm) Azov was made in 1695. Russian troops were divided into three parts. On July 2, troops under the command of Gordon began siege operations. On July 5, they were joined by the corps of Golovin and Lefort. On July 14, the Russians managed to occupy the towers - stone towers with iron chains stretched between them, which blocked river boats from entering the sea. This was actually the highest success of the campaign. Two assault attempts were made (August 5 and September 25), but the fortress could not be taken. On October 20, the siege was lifted.

The main reason for the defeat was the lack fleet . The Russian army could not interfere with supplies fortresses by sea. In addition, this significantly increased the delivery time of military cargo. The inconsistency of the actions of the Russian troops and poor engineering training also played a role.

Second Azov campaign of 1696

In the winter of 1696, large-scale ship construction began in Voronezh and Preobrazhensky. The galleys built in Preobrazhenskoye were disassembled and delivered to Voronezh, where they were assembled and launched. In addition, engineering specialists were invited from Austria. Capture of Azov. In the center, on horseback, Tsar Peter I and governor Alexei Shein

The command of the troops was also reorganized. Lefort was placed at the head of the fleet, and the ground forces were entrusted to Generalissimo Shein.

On the 20th, Cossacks in galleys at the mouth of the Don attacked a caravan of Turkish cargo ships. As a result, 2 galleys and 9 small ships were destroyed, and one small ship was captured.

On May 27, the fleet entered the Sea of ​​Azov and cut off the fortress from sources of supply by sea. Approached Turkish military flotilla did not dare to join the battle.

On July 16, preparatory siege work was completed. After prolonged artillery shelling on July 19, the Azov garrison surrendered.

Already by July 23, Peter approved the plan for new fortifications in the fortress, which by this time was severely damaged as a result of artillery shelling. Azov did not have a convenient harbor for basing navy. For this purpose, more than good place- July 27, 1696 Taganrog was founded.

The Azov campaign demonstrated in practice the importance of artillery and navy for warfare. It is a notable example of successful interaction between the fleet and ground forces during the siege of a seaside fortress, which stands out especially clearly against the background of the similar failures of the British during the assault on Quebec (1691) and Saint-Pierre (1693).

The preparation of the campaigns clearly demonstrated Peter’s organizational and strategic abilities. For the first time, such important qualities as his ability to draw conclusions from failures and gather strength for a second strike appeared.

Despite the success, at the end of the campaign, the incompleteness of the results achieved became obvious: without capturing the Crimea, or at least Kerch, access to the Black Sea was still impossible. To hold Azov it was necessary to strengthen the fleet. It was necessary to continue building the fleet and provide the country with specialists capable of building modern sea vessels.

On October 20, 1696, the Boyar Duma proclaimed “Sea vessels will be...” This date can be considered the birthday of the Russian regular navy. An extensive shipbuilding program is approved - 52 (later 77) ships; To finance it, new duties are introduced.

On November 22, a decree was announced sending nobles to study abroad. Almost simultaneously, Peter himself went to Europe at the head of the “Great Embassy”.

2 Grand Embassy

The Grand Embassy is the diplomatic mission of Russia in Western Europe in 1697-1698.

Objectives of the Grand Embassy

The embassy had to complete several important tasks:

· enlist the support of European countries in the fight against the Ottoman Empire and the Crimean Khanate;

· thanks to the support of European rulers, obtain the northern coast of the Black Sea;

· raise the prestige of Russia in Europe with reports of victory in the Azov campaigns;

· invite to Russian service foreign specialists, order and purchase military materials and weapons.

However, its practical result was the creation of preconditions for organizing an alliance against Sweden.

Plenipotentiary Ambassadors during the Grand Embassy

The following were appointed as Grand Plenipotentiary Ambassadors:

Lefort Franz Yakovlevich - Admiral General, Novgorod Governor;

Golovin Fedor Alekseevich - general and military commissioner, Siberian governor;

Voznitsyn Prokofy Bogdanovich - Duma clerk, Belevsky governor.

With them there were more than 20 nobles and up to 35 volunteers, among whom was the officer of the Preobrazhensky regiment Pyotr Mikhailov - Tsar Peter I himself. Formally, Peter followed incognito, but his conspicuous appearance easily gave him away. And the tsar himself, during his travels, often preferred to personally lead negotiations with foreign rulers. Perhaps this behavior is explained by the desire to simplify the conventions associated with diplomatic etiquette.

According to the order of the king, the embassy was sent to Austria, Brandenburg, Holland, England, Venice and the Pope.

Beginning of the Great Embassy

Peter I in Holland

On March 9 - 10, 1697, the embassy left Moscow for Livonia. In Riga, which was then a possession of Sweden, Peter wanted to inspect the fortifications of this fortress, but the Swedish governor, General Dalberg, refused his request. The king became very angry and called Riga a “cursed place.” The embassy moved through Courland to Brandenburg, bypassing Poland, where there was an interregnum.

In Libau, Peter left the embassy and went by sea to Königsberg, where he arrived on May 7 after a five-day sea voyage on the ship “St. George” (departure on May 2). In Königsberg, Peter I was warmly received by Elector Frederick III (who later became King Frederick I of Prussia).

Since Peter I arrived in Königsberg incognito, they settled him not in the city castle, but in one of the private houses on Kneiphof.

The embassy, ​​which was following the land route, lagged behind Peter, so in Pillau (now Baltiysk), in order not to waste time, the tsar began to learn artillery from the Prussian lieutenant colonel Steiner von Sternfeld. The teacher gave him a certificate in which he testified that "Mr. Pyotr Mikhailov everywhere ѣ for a serviceable, careful, skillful, courageous and fearless firefighter ѣ linen master and artist perhaps recognized and revered .»

Peter I Alekseevich - the fourth (excluding Ivan V) tsar from and first Russian Emperor . He developed a whole set of reforms and put them into practice, trying to turn backward (in his opinion) Muscovy into an advanced European state.

Goals, reasons and types

The changes were intended, first of all, to reduce the gap between the Moscow state and the European powers. Their goal was Westernization (Europeanization) of the country while maintaining serfdom. All domestic politics is summarized below.

The reasons for Peter's reforms are objective:

1. The Emperor, after the Azov campaigns and the great embassy, ​​realized how backward Moscow State from Europe. He wanted to bridge this gap bring Russia into the circle of strong world powers.
2. The king dreamed of expanding the borders of the state, creating a powerful fleet, control over the Baltic. To make these dreams come true, he needed financial and administrative resources.
3. The great sovereign considered it necessary strengthen personal power(this was an objective desire; the young tsar had already experienced the regency of his sister Sophia and the conflict with her).

The personal reasons that forced the young king to begin reform coincided with the goals he had set for himself. This was precisely what became the main component of the comprehensive success of his domestic policy.

Peter's main reforms carried out V late XVII– first quarter of the 18th century, are divided into 6 large blocks:

• economic;
• military (especially necessary in the conditions of conducting a full-scale war with the strongest European power of that time - Sweden);
• social;
• church;
• political (including reform of central and local self-government);
• cultural.

The idea of ​​social order

It can be said that reform was carried out haphazardly. The idea behind the change was based on the following principles:

• "common benefit";
• "state interest".

Attention! The general idea of ​​the innovations was to strengthen absolute autocracy as a form of government. And also the creation of a mechanism where every person had to work for the good of their homeland, in order to strengthen its status in the international arena.

The modernization carried out by the tsar was forced (not organic).

There was only one path for the sovereign - radical change government system "above".

These are the main features of Peter's transformations.

Major changes

The main changes carried out by the emperor can be presented in tabular form, taking into account the reasons and goals of the changes, ideas and results of the reform.

Economic

Changes in the economy can be divided into two large groups:

• in area Agriculture and industry;
• in the field of finance and trade.

Military

The military reform of Peter 1 pursued 3 main goals:

• formation of a strong regular army;
• construction of a powerful flotilla;
• the establishment of higher military institutions throughout the country for the purpose of training officers.

Attention! The military transformations of Peter I are often criticized by historians, but it was he who managed to create the most combat-ready army that was able to cope with the strongest European country (hegemon) at that time - Sweden.

Economic and military transformations were an important milestone towards building a strong empire.

That is why the ruler devoted most of his time to the formation of the industrial complex and army supplies.

The consequences of Peter's reforms in these areas were both positive and negative.

Social

Peter's social reforms were aimed at three things:

• strengthening the role of the nobility as the ruling class and the streamlining of the services of the nobles;
• strengthening of serfdom (to ensure the economic position of the nobility, peasants under Peter 1 fell into severe economic bondage);
• streamlining the status of “tax-paying” classes (to ensure uninterrupted tax revenues to the country's treasury).

The peculiarities of transformations in this area affected both nobles and ordinary people equally.

Church

The young ruler's relationship with Orthodox Church were quite complex. Most likely this is due to the reluctance of the clergy to financially support him during the outbreak of the Northern War. Church reform Peter 1 boiled down to:

• subordination of the Church to the state;
• streamlining relations with Old Believers.

Political (administrative)

Administrative innovations were mainly related to:

• with the streamlining of the central government system (the king needed to create a system that would ensure uninterrupted government administration even during his absence from the capital);
• with the regulation of the local government system.

Briefly summarized administrative reforms Peter 1 are the most important in the entire series of his transformations. He managed to create new model management, the functioning of which did not depend on the personal presence of the ruler in the capital.

Cultural

Changes in the field of culture were:

• to the complete Europeanization of life in the Moscow state;
• to attempts to spread literacy and education (at least among the philistines and nobles).

There is a widespread opinion in Soviet historiography that cultural transformations are the most inconsistent and ill-conceived in the entire series of Peter’s innovations.

Decree on succession to the throne of 1722

This act can be considered special. It is neither political nor social spheres life of the society of that time and stands apart.

The great sovereign was forced to think about the future of the throne after In 1718, there was a conflict with Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich, his eldest son, leading to the latter's death.

According to the official version son died in prison after being accused of treason and imposition of the death penalty.

In accordance with this act, the emperor himself could appoint an heir at will, and this does not have to be his blood relative. The ruler could reverse his decision at any time and choose a new heir.

Attention! At the time of the ruler’s death, he had only one direct (male line) male descendant left - Pyotr Alekseevich (son of Tsarevich Alexei), as well as 3 daughters - Anna, Elizabeth and Natalya. The question of which of them he would like to transfer his throne to remains open. The Great Sovereign (according to the official version) did not have time to draw up a will.

Historical assessment

The attitude towards Peter's numerous innovations in imperial (the dispute between Westerners and Slavophiles), Soviet and Russian historiography is quite contradictory. There are positive and negative assessments.

Some historians believe that it was a real breakthrough what the emperor managed to do for short period his reign create a real European power, strong and authoritative.

Others express the opinion that under the Tsar conservation of the feudal-serf system took place, the rights and freedoms of the individual were violated.

Still others believe that in the specific historical (and geopolitical) conditions of that time, the transformations were progressive in nature, and the whole domestic policy as a whole was very successful.

The Emperor took into account the peculiarities of the historical situation and took adequate measures necessary for the development of the country.

The positive and negative consequences of all the reforms of Peter 1 are reflected in the table below.

State reforms of Peter I

Reasons and goals of Peter I's reforms

Results of the reforms of Peter 1

The indisputable fact is that Peter Alekseevich managed to create a strong noble state, which existed until 1917. This is the most important consequence of Peter's reforms.

What priority tasks in the field of foreign policy did Peter 1 see at the beginning of his reign?

The main goal of Russian foreign policy at the beginning of the 18th century was the transformation of Russia into a full-fledged naval power with a powerful army and navy.

Tasks of Russian foreign policy in the first quarter of the 18th century:

The struggle for access to the seas (Baltic and Black);

Development of economic and cultural ties with other countries (bridging the gap);

The desire to acquire new lands;

Strengthen border security and improve Russia's strategic position.

What measures did Peter 1 take to prepare for war with Sweden?

1. In preparation for the war with Sweden, Peter ordered in 1699 a general recruitment and began training soldiers according to the model established by the Preobrazhensky and Semyonovtsy. In 1705, every 20 households had to put up one recruit, a single guy between 15 and 20 years old, for lifelong service. Subsequently, recruits began to be taken from a certain number of male souls among the peasants. Recruitment into the navy, as into the army, was carried out from recruits.

2. b) Industry in the first quarter of the 18th century. experienced the most significant changes in connection with the military needs of Russia and the active policy of the state, which managed to mobilize the country’s natural and human resources. Having realized Russia's technical backwardness during the Grand Embassy, ​​Peter could not ignore the problem of reform Russian industry. One of the main problems was the lack of qualified craftsmen. The Tsar solved this problem by attracting foreigners to the Russian service on favorable terms and by sending Russian nobles to study in Western Europe.

3. Export is the basis for import - technology and knowledge, which the country urgently needed. Clearly aware of this need, Peter began preparations for war. First of all, he needed to enlist the support of those European states that, like Russia, felt the brunt of Sweden’s political and economic dominance in Northern Europe (or, to be honest, simply wanted to “steer” themselves). In 1698, Peter, summoned from Vienna by a message about Streltsy riot, returned to Russia. On the way, he met in Rava (in Galicia) with the Polish king Augustus II. The Polish king complained about the precariousness of his position and asked Peter to help him if necessary. Peter agreed and, in turn, asked Augustus II to help resolve issues with Charles. The Polish king also promised Peter his support. The matter was limited to this conversation, which took place at an evening with General Flemming and was of an informal nature. Then both monarchs did not give each other any written obligations. However, the conversation in Rava marked the beginning of the Russian-Polish alliance, formalized the following year. The representative of the Polish king, Karlovich, arrived in Moscow. As a result of negotiations, on November 11, 1699, an “offensive alliance against Sweden” was concluded, which Denmark joined in the same year.

During the negotiations, a theater of military operations was outlined: it was assumed that it would cover the territory between the Gulf of Riga and Lake Ladoga, with Polish troops operating in Livonia and Estland (modern Baltic states), and in Ingermanland (Leningrad region) and modern Finland and Karelia - - Russians.

Ingria is the Swedish name for the Neva lands. In Finnish these territories were called Ingria. In the treaty, Peter secured the right not to start a war until peace was concluded with Turkey. When news arrived in Moscow that the Russian representative in Constantinople, Ukraintsev, had signed a peace treaty, Peter immediately declared war on Sweden. On August 18, a thirty-year peace with Turkey was proclaimed. On August 19, Peter declared war on Sweden.

Which states were Russia's allies in the war with Sweden?

Denmark, Poland and Russia.

What major battles took place on land and at sea during the Northern War?

The battle of the village of Lesnoy, which took place during the Northern War, became a kind of rehearsal for the Battle of Poltava. The Battle of Lesnaya took place on September 28, 1708. The Swedish general Levenhaupt hurried to the aid of Charles's main Swedish army, with a 16,000-strong detachment and a huge food and military convoy. Peter I realized the need to prevent the two armies from uniting. The Swedish general guessed about the plans of Peter I. Spies were sent to the Russian camp and reported to Peter the route of the Swedish convoy; the report was false. Russian intelligence did not sleep, and warned Peter in time about the actions of the exiles, and learned the true route. Throughout the Northern War there were many major battles. The largest land battle of the Northern War was the Battle of Poltava.

Poltamva Bimtva -- largest battle Northern War between Russian troops under the command of Peter I and the Swedish army of Charles XII. It took place on the morning of June 27 (July 8), 1709, 6 versts from the city of Poltava on Russian lands (Left Bank of the Dnieper). The decisive victory of the Russian army led to a turning point in the Northern War in Russia's favor and ended Sweden's dominance as one of the leading military forces in Europe.

After the Battle of Narva in 1700, Charles XII invaded Europe and a long war broke out involving many states, in which the army of Charles XII was able to advance far to the south, gaining victories.

After Peter I conquered part of Livonia from Charles XII and founded a new fortified city of St. Petersburg at the mouth of the Neva, Charles decided to attack central Russia and capture Moscow. During the campaign, he decided to lead his army to Ukraine, whose hetman, Mazepa, went over to Karl’s side, but was not supported by the bulk of the Cossacks. By the time Charles’s army approached Poltava, he had lost up to a third of the army, his rear was attacked by Peter’s light cavalry - Cossacks and Kalmyks, and was wounded just before the battle. The battle was lost by Charles, and he fled to the Ottoman Empire.

What were the terms of the Nystad Peace Treaty between Russia and Sweden?

Peace of Nystamdt (Swedish: Freden i Nystad) - a peace treaty between the Kingdom of Russia and Sweden, which ended the Northern War of 1700-1721. Signed on August 30 (September 10), 1721 in the city of Nystadt (now Uusikaupunki, Finland). It was signed on the Russian side by J. V. Bruce and A. I. Osterman, on the Swedish side by J. Liljenstedt and O. Strömfeld.

The treaty changed the Russian-Swedish border, previously fixed by the Stolbovo Peace Treaty of 1617. Sweden recognized the annexation of Livonia, Estland, Ingria (Izhora Land), part of Karelia (the so-called Old Finland) and other territories to Russia. Russia pledged to pay Sweden monetary compensation and return Finland.

The treaty consisted of a preamble and 24 articles. According to the agreement, Russia secured access to the Baltic Sea: part of Karelia north of Lake Ladoga, Ingermanland (Izhora land) from Ladoga to Narva, part of Estland with Revel, part of Livonia with Riga, the islands of Ezel and Dago went to it. For these lands, Russia paid Sweden compensation of 2 million efimki (1.3 million rubles). An exchange of prisoners and an amnesty for “criminals and defectors” (except for supporters of Ivan Mazepa) were provided. Finland was returned to Sweden, which also received the right to annually purchase and export 50 thousand rubles worth of grain from Russia duty-free. The agreement confirmed all the privileges granted to the Baltic nobility by the Swedish government: the nobility retained its self-government, class bodies, etc.

Main provisions of the agreement:

1. Eternal and indissoluble peace between the Russian Tsar and the Swedish King and their successors;

2. Complete amnesty on both sides, with the exception of the Cossacks who followed Mazepa;

3. All actions are terminated within 14 days;

4. The Swedes cede to Russia for eternal possession: Livonia, Estland, Ingria, part of Karelia;

5. Finland returns to Sweden;

6. Profession of faith in these territories is free.

Goals and results of the Prut campaign of Peter 1

Objectives: The Russian plan was as follows: to reach the Danube in Wallachia, to prevent Turkish army cross and then raise an uprising of peoples subject to the Ottoman Empire across the Danube. Main article: Prut Peace Treaty

The hopeless situation of the Russian army can be judged by the conditions to which Peter I agreed, and which he outlined to Shafirov in the instructions:

1. Give Azov and all previously conquered cities on their lands to the Turks.

2. Give the Swedes Livonia and other lands, except Ingria (where St. Petersburg was built). Give Pskov as compensation for Ingria.

3. Agree to Leshchinsky, the protege of the Swedes, as the Polish king.

These conditions coincided with those put forward by the Sultan when declaring war on Russia. 150 thousand rubles were allocated from the treasury to bribe the vizier; smaller amounts were intended for other Turkish commanders and even secretaries. According to legend, Peter's wife Ekaterina Alekseevna donated all her jewelry for bribery, however, the Danish envoy Just Yul, who was with the Russian army after it came out of encirclement, does not report such an act of Catherine, but says that the queen distributed her jewelry to save the officers and then, after peace was concluded, she gathered them back.

On July 22, Shafirov returned from the Turkish camp with peace terms. They turned out to be much lighter than those that Peter was ready for:

1. Return of Azov to the Turks in its previous state.

2. The devastation of Taganrog and other cities in the lands around conquered by the Russians Sea of ​​Azov.

3. Refusal to interfere in Polish and Cossack (Zaporozhye) affairs. Free passage of the Swedish king to Sweden and a number of non-essential conditions for merchants.

Until the terms of the agreement were fulfilled, Shafirov and the son of Field Marshal Sheremetev were to remain in Turkey as hostages.

On July 23, the peace treaty was sealed, and already at 6 o’clock in the evening the Russian army, in battle order, with banners flying and drums beating, set out for Iasi. The Turks even allocated their cavalry to protect the Russian army from the predatory raids of the Tatars.

Results: Having failed, according to the Prut Agreement, to expel Charles XII from Bendery, Peter I ordered the suspension of compliance with the requirements of the treaty. In response, Turkey again declared war on Russia at the end of 1712, but hostilities were limited only to diplomatic activity until the conclusion of the Treaty of Adrianople in June 1713, mainly on the terms of the Treaty of Prut.

The main result of the unsuccessful Prut campaign was the loss by Russia of access to the Sea of ​​Azov and the recently built southern fleet. Peter wanted to transfer the ships “Goto Predestination”, “Lastka” and “Speech” from the Sea of ​​Azov to the Baltic, but the Turks did not allow them passage through the Bosporus and Dardanelles, after which the ships were sold to the Ottoman Empire.

politics peter war sweden

The historical significance of the foreign policy of Peter 1

Russia's foreign policy throughout the 17th century was aimed at solving three main tasks: achieving access to the Baltic Sea, ensuring the safety of the southern borders from the raids of the Crimean Khan and the return of territories seized during the Time of Troubles.

The main directions of Russian foreign policy of this period - northwestern and southern - were determined by the struggle for access to ice-free seas, without which it was impossible to break out of economic and cultural isolation, and, consequently, overcome the general backwardness of the country, as well as the desire to acquire new lands, strengthen border security and improve Russia's strategic position.

As a result of a long and painful war, Russia took the most important place in Europe, gaining the status of a great power. Access to the Baltic Sea and the annexation of new lands contributed to its economic and cultural development. During the war, Russia created a powerful regular army and began to turn into an empire.

Thus, Peter the Great strengthened the international position of the state and increased its role in international relations.

PETER'S FOREIGN POLICYI

Foreign Policy Objectives

On South:

1) The fight against the Crimean Khanate and the conquest of access to the Azov and Black Seas

2) The struggle to gain access to Iran and India

In the West and North-West:

1) Reunification of all lands that were part of the Old Russian state

2) The struggle for access to the Baltic Sea

SOLVING PROBLEMS

South direction

1695 - 1st Azov campaign. Unsuccessful siege of the Turkish fortress of Azov.

1696 - 2nd Azov campaign. Capture of Azov, construction of the Taganrog fortress

This led to the start of the war with Turkey. The struggle for the creation of an anti-Turkish coalition of European countries (“Great Embassy” (1697-1698))

But the naval power of Turkey, the economic backwardness and lack of a fleet in Russia, and the failure of the “Great Embassy” to create an anti-Turkish alliance forced Peter I to abandon the idea of ​​fighting for access to the Black Sea and concentrate his efforts in the northwestern direction.

1700 - Peace is concluded with Turkey. The beginning of the Northern War.

Western direction -Northern War (1700-1721)

Goals of war

Achieve access to the Baltic Sea

Increasing the international status of Russia.

Transformation of Russia into a maritime power

Return the coast of the Gulf of Finland (Ingria), seized by Sweden at the beginning of the 17th century.

As a result of the “Great Embassy”, Peter managed to form the “Northern Alliance” against Sweden, which included: Russia, Denmark, Saxony, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

Stages of the Northern War

South direction -Peter's Caspian campaignI (1721-1724)

Goals of the trip:

1) Consolidation of Russia in the Caspian region

2) Providing assistance to the Christian peoples of Transcaucasia (Georgia, Armenia) in the fight against Iran

3) The struggle to gain access to Iran and India

Results of the trip:

1724 - Peace of Constantinople between Russia and Turkey - Russian recognition of Turkey’s dominion over Georgia and Armenia

1724 - Treaty of Rasht between Russia and Iran - Russia received the western and southern shores of the Caspian Sea with the cities of Derbent, Rasht, Astrabad

The results of Peter's foreign policyI

Russia under Peter I (1696-1725) achieved access to the Baltic Sea and became a maritime power. The international status of the country has increased. The remaining foreign policy tasks were to be carried out by the successors of Peter the Great.

He was proclaimed tsar at the age of 10, but his independent reign began in 1689 and continued until 1725. The future first Russian emperor began to become interested in foreign policy issues in December 1687 - he began to monitor the situation in Europe and the Mediterranean, where the war was going on with the Ottoman Empire. The influence of Peter I as regards Russian foreign policy began only after 1694, after the death of his mother.

Peter I had to continue the war begun by Princess Sophia with the Ottoman Empire. The first campaign against Azov (1695) ended in failure, but in the winter of that year preparations began for a new campaign, which began in May 1696, as a result of which the fortress surrendered. Thus, Peter managed to open Russia’s first access to the southern seas.

In the spring of 1697, Peter sent the so-called Grand Embassy to Western Europe with the goal of finding allies in the fight against the Ottoman Empire. In total, the embassy consisted of about 250 people, including the king himself. During visits to a number of foreign countries, the embassy managed to recruit several hundred shipbuilders, as well as purchase military and other equipment. However, it never achieved its main goal - Europe was preparing for the War of the Spanish Succession, and the European powers did not want to get involved in the war against the Turks. Nevertheless, Russia managed to benefit from this - it was able to begin the fight for the Baltic.

Returning from Europe, the tsar decided to reorient his foreign policy and began preparations for war with Sweden, hoping to gain access to the Baltic Sea. One of the main steps was the creation of the Northern Alliance (1699) and the conclusion of a temporary peace with the Ottoman Empire. In August 1700, Russia started a war with Sweden. The first two years were unsuccessful for Russia, but in 1703-04 Peter managed to gain a foothold in the Eastern Baltic. In 1706, the Swedish king launched a decisive offensive, during which he managed to capture Mogilev and Minsk. Then he moved south, but in this direction his troops received decisive resistance.

On June 27, 1709, the Swedes were defeated near Poltava, and their king fled to Turkey. The following year, Türkiye intervened in the war, but Peter managed to achieve a truce. The war with the Swedes resumed in 1713, and within 5 years Peter was able to win a number of victories, including naval battles. The war ended in 1721 with the conclusion of the Peace of Nystadt, according to which Russia gained access to the Baltic, and also expanded its territory to include Estland, Ingria, Livonia and part of Karelia. In November 1722, Peter began to be called emperor.

When the Swedish king took refuge in Turkish territory after the defeat in the Battle of Poltava, Peter I tried to threaten Turkey with a military campaign, but the Sultan declared war on Russia in November 1710. Russia had to fight on three fronts, and as a result it was forced to give Azov to the Turks. Fighting ended in August 1711, but the peace treaty was signed only in June 1713. Movement to the East. In order to annex the possessions of the Khiva Khan to Russia, as well as to explore routes to India, the Buchholz expedition was organized in 1714. However, the detachment was destroyed by the Khiva Khan.

Persian campaign

In June 1722, the son of the Persian Shah turned to Russia for military assistance. As a result, the Russians conquered Derbent and the western shore of the Caspian Sea, but then entered the war Ottoman Empire, which captured western and central Transcaucasia. In September 1723, an agreement was signed with Persia, according to which Russia received the southern and western coasts of the Caspian Sea. Subsequently, Türkiye recognized the terms of the treaty and renounced its claims to Persian territories.

Results

Until now, historians have extremely ambivalent assessments of the reign of Peter I, including his foreign policy. However, it was precisely as a result of his actions that it not only expanded its territory, but also gained access to the sea. This fact allows us to rightfully call his actions thoughtful and successful.