What were Peter the Great's foreign policies?

Answer 1

Peter the Great's foreign policies are usually divided into four sections; Strengthen diplomatic relations, Access to the Baltic, Internal expansion and access to the Black Sea.

Strengthen Diplomatic Relations

• Went on the great Embassy. Wanted to strengthen Russian ties with other European States. He was in search of allies to help him fight off the Ottoman Empire.
• Wanted to build a fleet of well-trained ship builders from Europe to help fight off the Ottoman Empire
• Alliances with different states. For example, Anti-Swedish Alliance was signed with Poland. Also signed a treaty with the Elector of Hanover.
• Treaty of Nystad - This treaty is the one that ended the Great Northern War.
• Treaty of Friendship with France to neutralize French power.
• 1710 another treaty of Friendship signed with Prussia and Hannover.
• !716 Anglo-Danish support prepared to invade Sweden

Peter achieved this objective by gaining international recognition. There were Russian embassies in most European courts

Access to the Baltic

• Sweden was the main power within the Baltic coast at the start of the Great Northern War.
• He was defeated at Narva
• Peter wanted a substantial coastline in Ingria and Karelia.

Access to the Black Sea

• Between 1700-1709 Turkey was the most difficult to defeat in war.

Attacked Turkish fortress of Azov. Served the army as bombardier

• Divided command and poor technical skills brought about Peter's defeat.
• Peter responded to the defeat by raising a larger army under one commander, Alexis Shein. Constructed new ships, Apostles Paul and Peter
• Got himself involved in the whole work unlike in the 1st Azov campaign
• Raised an army of 4000 men
• 2nd Azov Campaign Peter found himself serving as galley captain.
• Captured the Azov fort within two months and less than 300 Russian deaths were recorded
• This did not give access to the Black Sea but instead, it gave him access to the Azov sea. Kerch blocked Russian access to the Black Sea.

Internal Expansion

• Captured Viborg and Riga with help from Poland.
• Also captured most of the Baltic coastline which include St Petersburg