Foreign affairs and wars: wars against Turkey and Sweden

The idea

Peter I's early foreign policy focused on securing warm-water ports to expand Russian trade and naval power. Against the Ottoman Empire (Turkey), Peter launched the Azov campaigns. After an initial failure in 1695, he successfully captured Azov in 1696 using a newly built fleet, securing a foothold on the Sea of Azov. Shifting his focus to the Baltic, Peter engaged in the Great Northern War against Sweden. The disastrous defeat at Narva in 1700 exposed the weaknesses of the Russian army, prompting sweeping military reforms. By 1703, Peter had captured the Neva River delta, founding St Petersburg, and by 1704 he had taken Dorpat and Narva, establishing a crucial Baltic presence despite ongoing Swedish resistance.

What earns the marks

• Assess the strategic importance of the Azov campaigns (1695–1696) in Peter's ambition to secure a southern naval presence against Turkey.
• Explain how the failure of the first Azov campaign led directly to the creation of the Russian navy at Voronezh.
• Analyse the impact of the Russian defeat at the Battle of Narva (1700) as a catalyst for comprehensive military and administrative reforms.
• Evaluate the significance of Peter's early successes against Sweden, including the foundation of St Petersburg in 1703, in establishing a Baltic foothold.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Stating that Peter secured access to the Black Sea after the Azov campaigns.

  Put it right: Specify that Peter only secured access to the Sea of Azov; the Kerch Strait and the Black Sea remained under Ottoman control.

• Assuming the Great Northern War ended during this period (1682-1707).

  Put it right: Note that the war continued until 1721, and this period only covers the initial phases, including Narva and the founding of St Petersburg.

• Viewing the defeat at Narva solely as a disaster.

  Put it right: Explain that while a tactical defeat, Narva was a strategic turning point that forced Peter to modernise his army.

Exam tips

• Contrast Peter's military capabilities in 1695 with his improved forces in 1696 to demonstrate his capacity to learn from failure.
• Link foreign policy directly to domestic reforms; explain how the demands of the Swedish war necessitated changes in taxation and conscription.
• Use the foundation of St Petersburg as a concrete example of Peter's strategic shift from the south (Turkey) to the north (Sweden).