Peter's Foreign Policy Success

Question 1

What were Peter’s key foreign policy aims?

Answer 1

1. Access to the Baltic
2. Break through to the Black Sea
3. Internal expansion East
4. Put Russia on the diplomatic map

Question 2

South

Answer 2

1. Pruth Campaign (1710-11) - Turks declare war on Russia due to religious divides and Peter demanding Charles be expelled from Turkish territory; PTG abandoned by his allies, was deep in enemy territory without supplies; underestimated the size of the Turkish forces. Peter not only lost land in the South but additionally demonstrated his lack of consistent military leadership; failure to end war as well as starting new ones (lost Azov)
2. Persian War (1722-23) - Takes Baku, Kamchatka Peninsula, secured three provinces on the Caspian Sea. All he really won was a strip of land on the Caspian Sea; Massive financial and military cost and Turkish limitations on Black Sea expansion. Demonstrates Peter’s lack of a clear vision for his foreign policy, as well as his inability to assess cost-reward balance
3. Overall, his foreign policy in the South was a resounding failure; not only did Peter fail to achieve his expansionist aims, but he also showed a lack of clear leadership and planning in the South

Question 3

Diplomacy

Answer 3

1. Grand Embassy (1697) - Peter failed to get support from English, Dutch, and Austria for war with Turks and additionally made Russia out badly due to Russian’s erratic conduct in foreign countries; Grand Embassy failed to complete its political mission of creating an anti-Ottoman alliance, Peter continued the European trip
2. Son, Alexis, and nieces, Anne and Catherine, married to German dukes - Not a failure as Peter managed to initiate strides towards a less isolated Russia and spread influence in Europe - however, still limited by status of dukes
3. Partially allowed him to become less isolated and showed a change towards a more trade and connection reliant Russia. However, failures with the grand embassy still showed Russian disconnect from West.

Question 4

West

Answer 4

1. Founded St. Petersburg on 27 May 1703 - Not a failure as Peter managed to complete one of his main aims as Tsar - allowed for a capital closer to the West and solidified his rule; trading outlet
2. Gained Baltic provinces post-treaty of Nystad (1721) - Not a failure as Peter managed to fulfil expansionist aims in the West and gain wealth and land in doing so; ends Great Northern War
3. Managed to put Russia ‘on the map’ as there was a clear transfer of power from Sweden to Russia as the central Eastern European power