Foreign policy of the 17th century in brief. Russian foreign policy in the 17th century. What we learned

For many years, Russian foreign policy in the 17th century was guided by several key goals. The first Romanovs sought to return as much of the East Slavic lands as possible, taken by Poland, and to gain access to the Baltic (which was controlled by Sweden). It was also during this period that the first wars against Turkey began. This confrontation was at an initial stage and reached its climax in the next century. Other regions where Russia sought to maintain its interests were the Caucasus and the Far East.

Troubles and war with Poland

The 17th century began tragically for Russia. The Rurik dynasty that ruled the country was ended. The brother-in-law of Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich, Boris Godunov, came to power. His rights to the throne remained controversial and numerous opponents of the monarch took advantage of this. In 1604, an army under the command of the impostor False Dmitry invaded Russia from Poland. The contender for the throne found every support in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This episode began the Russian-Polish War, which ended only in 1618.

The conflict between two long-time neighbors had deep historical roots. Therefore, the entire foreign policy of Russia in the 17th century was based on confrontation with Poland. The rivalry resulted in a series of wars. The first of them, in the 17th century, turned out to be unsuccessful for Russia. Although False Dmitry was overthrown and killed, the Poles later occupied Moscow on their own and controlled the Kremlin from 1610 to 1612.

Only the people's militia, assembled by national heroes Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky, managed to expel the interventionists. Then a Zemsky Council was held, at which Mikhail Romanov was elected the legitimate king. The new dynasty stabilized the situation in the country. Nevertheless, many border lands remained in the hands of the Poles, including Smolensk. Therefore, all further Russian foreign policy in the 17th century was aimed at the return of original Russian cities.

Loss of the Baltic coast

Even Vasily Shuisky, fighting against the Poles, entered into an alliance with Sweden. In the Battle of Klushino in 1610, this coalition was defeated. Russia found itself paralyzed. The Swedes took advantage of the current situation and began to capture its cities near their border. They took control of Ivangorod, Korela, Yam, Gdov, Koporye and, finally, Novgorod.

Swedish expansion stopped under the walls of Pskov and Tikhvin. The sieges of these fortresses ended in a fiasco for the Scandinavians. Then the Russian army drove them out of their lands, although some of the fortresses remained in the hands of foreigners. The war with Sweden ended in 1617 with the signing of the Stolbovsky Peace Treaty. According to it, Russia lost access to the Baltic Sea and paid its neighbor a large indemnity of 20 thousand rubles. At the same time, the Swedes returned Novgorod. The consequence of the Stolbovo Peace was that Russian foreign policy in the 17th century acquired another important goal. Having recovered from the horrors of the Time of Troubles, the country began the struggle to return to the shores of the Baltic.

Smolensk War

During the reign of Mikhail Fedorovich (1613 - 1645) there was only one major armed conflict with another country. It turned out to be the Smolensk War (1632 - 1634) against Poland. This campaign was led by commanders Mikhail Shein, Semyon Prozorovsky and Artemy Izmailov.

Before the war, Moscow diplomats tried to win over Sweden and the Ottoman Empire to their side. The anti-Polish coalition never came together. As a result, I had to fight alone. Nevertheless, Russia's foreign policy goals in the 17th century remained the same. The key task (return of Smolensk) was not completed. The months-long siege of the city ended with the surrender of Shein. The parties ended the war with the Peace of Polyanovsky. The Polish king Vladislav IV returned Trubchevsk and Serpeisk to Russia, and also renounced his claims to the Russian throne (preserved since the Time of Troubles). For the Romanovs it was an intermediate success. Further struggle was postponed to the future.

Conflict with Persia

Mikhail Fedorovich's heir, Alexey, was more active than his father in the international arena. And although his main interests were in the west, he had to face challenges in other regions. So, in 1651, a conflict broke out with Persia.

Foreign policy Russia in the 17th century, in short, began to come into contact with many states with which the Rurikovichs had not yet dealt. In the Caucasus, such a new country turned out to be Persia. The troops of her dynasty, the Safavids, attacked the lands controlled by the Russian kingdom. The main struggle was for Dagestan and the Caspian Sea. The trips ended in nothing. Alexey Mikhailovich did not want the conflict to escalate. He sent an embassy to Shah Abbas II and in 1653 the war was stopped and the status quo was restored on the border. Nevertheless, the Caspian issue persisted. Later, Peter I led the offensive here in the 18th century.

Annexation of Smolensk, Left Bank Ukraine and Kyiv

The main success of Alexei Mikhailovich in foreign policy was the next war with Poland (1654 - 1667). The first stage of the campaign resulted in the unconditional defeat of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Zaporozhye and Moscow troops entered Ukraine and thus actually reunited the lands of the Eastern Slavs.

In 1656, a temporary Truce of Vilna was concluded between the parties. It was caused by the Swedish invasion of Poland and the simultaneous outbreak of war between the Swedes and Russians. In 1660, the Poles tried to carry out a counteroffensive, but it ended in failure. The war finally ended in 1667 after the signing of the Truce of Andrusovo. According to that agreement, the Smolensk region, Kyiv and the entire Left Bank Ukraine were annexed to Moscow. Thus, Alexey Mikhailovich successfully completed the task to which Russian foreign policy was subordinated in the 17th century. The short truce could still be interrupted by war again, so the conflict required further negotiations, which ended under Princess Sophia.

Fight with Sweden

As mentioned above, having achieved success in Ukraine, Alexey Mikhailovich decided to try his luck in the Baltic. The long-gestating revenge war with Sweden began in 1656. She turned out to be two years old. The fighting spanned Livonia, Finland, Ingria and Karelia.

Russia's foreign policy of the 17th and 18th centuries, in short, aimed at access to the Western seas, since this would allow for the establishment of better ties with Europe. This is exactly what Alexey Mikhailovich wanted to achieve. In 1658, the Truce of Valiesar was concluded, according to which Russia retained part of the lands in Livonia. However, three years later, Moscow diplomats had to agree to restore the previous borders in order to avoid a war on two fronts against Sweden and Poland at the same time. This order was consolidated by the Treaty of Kardis. The Baltic ports were never obtained.

War with Turkey

At the end of the Russian-Polish confrontation, the Ottoman Empire intervened in it, which sought to conquer Right Bank Ukraine. In the spring of 1672, an army of 300,000 invaded. She defeated the Poles. Subsequently, the Turks and Crimean Tatars also fought against Russia. In particular, the Belgorod defensive line was attacked.

The main directions of Russian foreign policy in the 17th century in many ways turned out to be a logical prologue to the foreign policy of the 18th century. This pattern is especially evident in the example of the struggle for hegemony in the Black Sea. During the era of Alexei Mikhailovich and his son Fyodor, the Turks last tried to expand their possessions in Ukraine. That war ended in 1681. Türkiye and Russia drew borders along the Dnieper. The Zaporozhye Sich was also declared independent from Moscow.

Eternal peace with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

The entire domestic and foreign policy of Russia in the 17th century depended heavily on relations with Poland. Periods of war and peace influenced the economy, social situation and the mood of the population. Relations between the two powers were finally settled in 1682. That spring, the countries concluded Eternal Peace.

The articles of the agreement stipulated the division of the Hetmanate. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth abandoned the protectorate that had existed over the Zaporozhye Sich for a long time. The provisions of the Andrusovo Truce were confirmed. Kyiv was recognized as an “eternal” part of Russia - for this Moscow paid compensation in the amount of 146 thousand rubles. Subsequently, the agreement allowed the formation of an anti-Swedish coalition during the Northern War. Also thanks to the Perpetual Peace, Russia and Poland joined forces with the rest of Europe in the fight against the Ottoman Empire.

Treaty of Nerchinsk

Even during the time of Ivan the Terrible, Russia began the colonization of Siberia. Gradually, brave peasants, Cossacks, hunters and industrialists moved further and further to the east. In the 17th century they reached Pacific Ocean. Here, the objectives of Russian foreign policy in the 17th century were to establish friendly relations with China.

For a long time, the border between the two states was not marked, which led to various incidents and conflicts. To stop misunderstandings, a delegation of diplomats led by Fyodor Golovin went to the Far East. Russian and Chinese representatives met in Nerchinsk. In 1689, they signed an agreement according to which the border between the powers was established along the banks of the Argun River. Russia lost the Amur region and Albazin. The agreement turned out to be a diplomatic defeat for the government of Sofia Alekseevna.

Crimean campaigns

After reconciliation with Poland, Russian foreign policy at the end of the 17th century was directed towards the Black Sea and Turkey. For a long time, the country was haunted by the raids of the Crimean Khanate, a state that was in vassal relations with the Ottoman Empire. The campaign against a dangerous neighbor was led by Prince Vasily Golitsyn, the favorite of Princess Sofia Alekseevna.

In total, two Crimean campaigns took place (in 1687 and 1689). They weren't particularly successful. Golitsyn did not capture other people's fortresses. Nevertheless, Russia diverted significant forces of the Crimeans and Turks, which helped its European allies in the general anti-Ottoman war. Thanks to this, the Romanovs significantly increased their international prestige.

Azov campaigns

Sofya Alekseevna was deprived of power by her younger brother Peter, who grew up and did not want to share powers with the regent. The young tsar continued Golitsyn's work. His first military experience was connected precisely with the confrontation with Turkey.

In 1695 and 1696 Peter led two campaigns against Azov. On the second attempt, the Turkish fortress was captured. Nearby, the monarch ordered the founding of Taganrog. For his success near Azov, voivode Alexey Shein received the title of generalissimo. So, two directions of Russian foreign policy in the 17th century (southern and “Polish”) were marked by success. Now Peter turned his attention to the Baltic. In 1700 he started the Northern War against Sweden, which immortalized his name. But that was already the history of the 18th century.

Results

The 17th century for Russia was rich in foreign policy events (both successes and failures). The result of the Time of Troubles at the beginning of the century was the loss of many territories, including the Baltic coast and the Smolensk region. The reigning Romanov dynasty set about correcting the mistakes of its predecessors.

The peculiarities of Russian foreign policy in the 17th century turned out to be such that the greatest success awaited it in the Polish direction. Not only was Smolensk returned, but also Kyiv and Left Bank Ukraine. Thus, Moscow for the first time began to control all the key lands of the Old Russian state.

The results in two other directions were more contradictory: the Baltic and the Black Sea. In the north, an attempt at revenge with Sweden failed, and this task fell on the shoulders of Peter I, who entered the new 18th century with his country. The same situation occurred with the southern seas. And if at the end of the 17th century Peter occupied Azov, then later he lost it, and the task of expansion in this region was completed only under Catherine II. Finally, under the first Romanovs, the colonization of Siberia continued, and the first contacts with China were established in the Far East.

In Russian foreign policy in the 17th century. was three main directions: northwestern, western and southern. For the northwestern direction, Russian-Swedish relations were decisive, Russia’s goal in which was the return of Russian lands, access to the Baltic Sea, taken away by Sweden first during the Livonian War, and then in the Treaty of Stolbovo in 1617.

In the 17th century. Russia's foreign policy in this direction was, perhaps, least active. Only once did the government of Alexei Mikhailovich try to take revenge in the north-west during the Russian-Swedish war of 1656-1661.

During the Russian war with With the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Sweden decided to seize part of the Polish lands in the Baltic and realize the long-standing dream of turning the Baltic Sea into a “Swedish lake”. Such a strengthening of the positions of the ancient enemy did not suit Russia at all, and without finishing the war with Poland, in May 1656 she declared war on Sweden.

Military operations initially developed successfully for Russia. Russian troops captured a number of important fortresses in the Baltic states and besieged Riga. But then the Swedes seized the initiative, and the siege of Riga had to be lifted.

In parallel with military operations Russian diplomacy also intensified. Three months after the start of the war with Sweden, Russia began negotiations on a truce with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This action could have become a major foreign policy success, since the negotiations also discussed the conclusion of an anti-Swedish military alliance. If the negotiations had been successful, Russia would not only have avoided a war on two fronts, not only would have acquired an ally in the war with Sweden and, therefore, would have had a real chance of ousting the Swedes in the Baltic states, but would also have secured the Ukrainian lands of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Unfortunately, this was not achieved. The government of Alexei Mikhailovich and Russian diplomats made a number of miscalculations, did not take into account the specific situation and, as a result, achieved only a truce, which did not last very long.

At the same time, Russian diplomats tried to find more allies from among the countries that were not satisfied with the strengthening of Sweden. Such a country, besides the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, was Denmark. As a result of lengthy negotiations, a Russian-Danish military alliance, and Denmark also declared war on Sweden. (Because of this alliance, some historians call the Russian-Swedish war of 1656-1661 the first Northern War, meaning that in 1700-1721 there was a second Northern War, in which Denmark fought with the Swedes on the side of Russia, however, together with two other states.)

While Russia was at war with Sweden The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, taking advantage of the truce, accumulated forces and again began military operations. Faced with the threat of a war on two fronts, Russia hastened to end the war with Sweden and in December 1658 concluded a truce for three years. Its conditions were quite favorable: the entire territory captured by Russian troops went to Russia. But during the truce the balance of power changed dramatically. There was a rapprochement between yesterday's enemies - Sweden and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and in the face of the emerging anti-Russian alliance of these countries, Russia was forced to sign the Peace of Kardis in 1661. Under the terms of this agreement, all territorial acquisitions of Russia again went to Sweden.

The pivot of the western direction Russian foreign policy was relations with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. These relations remained unsettled after the Time of Troubles: the war ended not in peace, but in a truce, under the terms of which the Western Russian lands remained with the Polish-Lithuanian state, and Prince Vladislav did not renounce his claims to the Russian throne. Therefore, the main task of Russia in this direction was first to return the seized territories and recognize Mikhail Fedorovich as the Russian Tsar, and then a new task appeared - to consolidate the part of Ukraine annexed to Russia.

IN 1632 King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Sigismund III died. In the Polish-Lithuanian state there was no hereditary royalty: the king was elected by the gentry. Therefore, after the death of almost every king, the period of the so-called " queenless", when the country was often torn apart by clashes between various political groups, each of which supported its own candidate for the throne. It was precisely this period that the Russian government decided to take advantage of, enlisting the support of a specially convened Zemsky Sobor (the actual head of which at that time was Patriarch Filaret). Russia announced Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth war, which went down in history as Smolensk War (1632-1634).

Near Smolensk, captured by the Poles During the Time of Troubles, a 30,000-strong army with a huge 150 guns artillery was sent. It was commanded by the hero of the defense of Smolensk in the Time of Troubles, the famous Russian commander of the 17th century. Mikhail Borisovich Shein. At first, military success accompanied him. More than two dozen cities were captured by Russian troops, and finally, Shein’s army besieged the main goal of the campaign - the strongest Smolensk fortress.

The siege lasted eight months, but it was never possible to take Smolensk. Firstly, in the summer of 1633, the Crimean Tatars made a large-scale raid, reaching the center of the country - the Moscow district. The need to organize a rebuff to the khan, on the one hand, did not allow the government to send reinforcements to Shein, and on the other hand, mass desertion began in the regiments near Smolensk among those service people whose estates and estates were located in the south of the country and, therefore, were subject to the Tatar raid. Secondly, among the so-called " dating people", recruited into the army from serfs, peasants and townspeople, riots and mass escapes from the regiments began.

Meanwhile, the situation in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth has also changed. Prince Vladislav was elected to the throne, who immediately began preparing to repel the Russian troops. Vladislav managed to encircle Shein’s army near Smolensk and cut off the supply of food and fodder: the besiegers themselves turned into besieged.

Having held out until February 1634., Shein capitulated. The conditions of surrender were difficult and humiliating: the Poles got all the artillery, banners and convoys. In Moscow they could not forgive Shein for such humiliation, and according to the boyar verdict he was beheaded.

IN June 1634. The Peace of Polyanovsky was concluded, which ended the Smolensk War. Everything that Sheina managed to capture at the beginning of the campaign was returned to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Russia paid a large indemnity, and the only achievement was that Vladislav finally abandoned his long-standing claims to the Moscow throne.

The next increase in Russian activity in the western direction occurred two decades later. Since the late 40s. XVII century The anti-Polish liberation movement of Bohdan Khmelnytsky began in the Ukrainian lands of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This was a convenient moment for revenge for the numerous failures in the western direction of Russian foreign policy. Moreover, it was possible to include into Russia the territory that was once the cradle of Russian statehood. Bohdan Khmelnytsky, elected hetman of Ukraine, realizing the impossibility of standing alone against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, addressed Moscow more than once with a request to accept Ukraine "under high hand"Russian Tsar. In 1653, the Zemsky Sobor decided to incorporate Ukraine into the Russian state. This decision was not as simple as it might seem at first glance, since it meant a big war with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

In May 1654. huge 100 thousandth Russian army moved west. Basic fighting should have unfolded on the Belarusian lands of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Auxiliary detachments were sent to Ukraine to Khmelnitsky and to the southwest of Russia to protect the left flank of the active army from a possible attack by the Crimean Tatars. This was an account of the sad experience of the Smolensk War. In addition, unlike the 30s. In the 17th century, southern Russian districts were now protected from the Khan’s raids by powerful defensive lines with dozens of new fortified cities. The Don Cossacks also received orders to defend the southern borders of the country from the Crimeans.

Russian-Polish War 1654-1667. began (as, indeed, many previous wars in the western direction) very successfully. More than 30 cities, including such large fortresses as Smolensk, Polotsk, Vitebsk, were captured by Russian troops on the Belarusian territory of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. But in 1655 g. Sweden also started a war with Poland. Swedish troops captured a huge part of the territory of the Polish-Lithuanian state, and this pushed the Russian government to war with Sweden. Moscow was convinced that Poland had already been drained of blood and, facing the threat of war on two fronts (with Russia and Sweden), would agree to conclude peace on terms favorable to Russia.

Peace talks have begun in August 1656, and the main demand of the Russian side was to secure all conquered territories for Russia. However, the Poles did not agree to this, and the Russians, who had already started a war with Sweden, had to hurry, and in October 1656. peace was not concluded, but only a truce. We will probably not be mistaken in calling the start of military operations against Sweden during the still ongoing Russian-Polish war, as well as the conclusion of a truce, which did not secure the occupied lands for Russia, as serious mistakes of the Moscow government and Russian diplomacy. And soon they had to pay for these mistakes.

The war with Sweden ended in nothing. And the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, having accumulated strength during the truce, again began military operations. At this second stage, the Russian-Polish war went on for a long time with varying success, but military happiness in battles more and more often leaned towards the side of the Poles and Lithuanians.

The protracted war was exhausting and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, so it is not surprising that already since 1661. peace negotiations began. But they also took on a protracted character: they either resumed or stopped, and neither side made concessions. Finally, a compromise was found, and in January 1667. war is over, but again not by peace, and the Andrusovo truce. It was concluded for thirteen and a half years, Smolensk and Chernigov lands were returned to Russia, Russia received Left Bank Ukraine; Kiev, located on the right bank of the Dnieper, was also transferred to Russia, but only for two years, and then it had to be returned to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (this last condition was never met - since 1667 Kyiv became a Russian city).

Russian-Polish War 1654-1667. was the last in a long chain of military clashes between the two states. In the 70-80s. XVII century. The onslaught of the Ottoman Empire intensified in the direction of its northern neighbors - Russia, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Austria. Moreover, if the Crimean Tatars usually attacked the Russian borders, the Poles and Austrians had to deal with both them and the powerful Turkish army. In such conditions, Russian-Polish contradictions receded into the background: the situation and the common formidable enemy pushed these countries towards rapprochement.

In May 1686. an “eternal peace” was concluded between Russia and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which secured for Russia everything that it received under the Truce of Andrusovo (and Kyiv too), and Russia took upon itself the obligation to start a war with Turkey. Thus, in 1686. In essence, a Russian-Polish military alliance arose. (In the future, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth will first turn from an equal ally into a junior partner, then Russia will begin to actively interfere in the internal affairs of Poland, and, finally, during the divisions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth at the end of the 18th century, which occurred with the participation of Russia, this state will not disappear from the political maps of Europe.)

In the southern direction, Russia dealt with the Crimean Khanate and the Ottoman Empire (Turkey).

Crimean Khanate- one of the fragments of the collapsed Golden Horde - in the second half XV - early XVI centuries. was an ally first of the Moscow principality, and then of the Russian state. But at the turn of the first and second decades XVI century. the interests of the two states collide on the question of under whose control the territory of the so-called " Fields"- a huge space north of the Black Sea steppes (modern Central Black Earth Region). From that time on, the Crimean Tatars became the main and constant enemy of Russia in the south. Almost every year, Russian districts were subjected to large and small raids of the Crimean hordes, and the main line on which the Russian army met enemy, was Oka. By the 17th century, the Crimean Khanate became a vassal of the Ottoman Empire, Turkey controlled the lower reaches of the Don and Dnieper, and Russia’s advance to the south now meant a clash with this enemy.

Beginning since the 20s XVII century. Tatar raids were carried out more and more damage n. Along three main routes - the Muravskaya, Izyumskaya and Kalmiusskaya roads - the Crimean Tatars invaded Russia. The main purpose of these raids, often carried out by order of the Turkish Sultan, was to capture captives and livestock. According to historians, for the first half of the 17th century. At least 150-200 thousand Russian people were taken away. And how many people died under the Tatar sabers, how many times Russian villages, towns and cities burned - this has not yet been calculated even approximately.

However, some especially large raids had not only predatory, but also political goals (or at least political consequences). As we already know, the massive invasions of 1632 and 1633 At first, they made it difficult for the Russian army to gather and advance to Smolensk, and then, when the Tatars broke through especially far into Russian territory, they led to mass desertion and unrest in the regiments. Russia's defeat in the Smolensk War was largely explained by the fact that military operations in the western direction began with unprotected southern borders, and, therefore, the right flank and rear of the operating army were vulnerable. Thus, without setting up a powerful barrier in the southern direction, one could not count on successful actions in the western direction. This, perhaps, the main lesson of the defeat in the Smolensk War was recognized by the Russian government, which immediately began practical action.

In the 30-50s. XVII century. on the southern and southeastern borders of the European part of Russia, a gigantic system of defensive lines was created - “devils”, consisting of earthen ramparts with palisades and ditches, forest fences, small wooden fortresses with removable garrisons of several dozen people and fortified cities with a permanent population and garrisons.

Southbound such a fortified line was the Belgorod line, erected in 1635-1653. This powerful system of defensive structures, which protected 600 kilometers of the southern border of Russia, began in the west in the Dnieper region, and in the east it went beyond modern Michurinsk (Tambov region). Thereby all main routes were blocked invasions of the Crimean Tatars.

Belgorod line was the most powerful and an extended defensive line. Its length with all bends was about 800 kilometers, and more than two dozen fortified cities became strongholds of defense, most of which were erected during the construction of the border. (In particular, on the territory of the modern Voronezh region, cities such as Olshansk, Ostrogozhsk, Korotoyak, Uryv, Kostensk and Orlov-gorodok were built. Voronezh, which arose as early as in 1585., also became a fortress of the Belgorod Line.) In addition to this defensive line, the Tambov, Simbirsk and Zakamsk “features” were also erected.

While the Belgorod Line was being built, Tatar raids continued. However, in 1637, an unprecedented event occurred that led to a temporary lull in Tatar attacks - the Don Cossacks took the Turkish fortress of Azov located at the mouth of the Don. The Cossacks appealed to the Russian government to annex Azov to Russia and send an army to help. However, this would mean a war with the Ottoman Empire, for which Russia did not have the strength. The “Azov sitting” of the Cossacks lasted for about five years. They held on bravely, repelling all attempts to knock them out of the fortress. But they could not hold the city on their own, and, having received a refusal from Moscow for help, in 1642 the Cossacks, having destroyed the fortifications, left Azov.

After this, the Tatars again increase pressure to the southern borders of Russia, and in 1644 and 1645. the raids reached a scale reminiscent of the years of the Smolensk War. The Tatars took advantage of the fact that the fortifications of the Belgorod line were built in separate sections, between which there were unprotected passages. But as construction was completed, the line turned into a continuous chain of defensive structures, and with the completion of work in 1653, the possibility of Tatars appearing in the southern Russian districts became minimal. The south of the country was now well protected, and therefore the Russian government entered the war for Ukraine with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, without fear of repeating the tragedy of the Smolensk War.

During the Russian-Polish War of 1654-1667. For the first time in the history of Russian-Crimean relations, Russia managed to strike at the territory of the Khanate. In the spring of 1660, an 8,000-strong army on four hundred sailing and rowing ships built near Kozlov (modern Michurinsk) and Lebedyan moved down the Don. In 1662, this flotilla under the command of governor Ya. T. Khitrovo broke through the Turkish fortresses at the mouth of the Don, entered the Sea of ​​Azov and attacked the Crimean Khanate. This sabotage was intended to keep some of the Tatars from raiding Ukraine, where Russian troops were operating at that time.

Then heading south there was a 10-year lull , during which, under the protection of the Belgorod line, the settlement and development of the border southern Russian districts with their fertile black earth lands was actively underway. But in 1673 the situation has changed dramatically: the Russian-Turkish war of 1673-1681 began.

In the spring of 1673. By order of the Turkish Sultan, the Crimean Khan threw tens of thousands of Tatars into Russian lands (“the whole Crimea,” as the documents of that time put it). The Tatars managed to “break the line” in one of the areas and break through to nearby counties. Soon, fearing encirclement, the khan led the horde away, but over the next three years the Tatars continuously and persistently harassed the Russian garrisons on the Belgorod line.

While the Tatars probed the defenses in southern Russia, Russian troops in 1673-1676. They operated in the lower reaches of the Don and the Azov region against Turkish garrisons and Tatar detachments, but were not successful.

Military actions in 1673-1676. took place without a formal declaration of war. Only in 1677 The Ottoman Empire declared war on Russia. In the summer of this year, a huge Turkish army, reinforced by detachments of Tatars, moved to Ukraine and besieged the Chigirin fortress, which was defended by a garrison of Russians and Ukrainians. The Russian army, led by the major military leader of that time, Prince Grigory Grigorievich Romodanovsky, moved to help the besieged. In the battle of Chigirin, Russian troops completely defeated and drove back the enemy.

Next summer The Turks again besieged the fortress and this time took it. However, the Ottomans were unable to inflict a decisive defeat on the Russian troops. This ended the active clashes between the armies of Russia and the Ottoman Empire. But in 1679-1681. The raids of the Crimean Tatars resumed again.

In January 1681. The Bakhchisaray Truce was concluded for 20 years, the main result of which was the recognition of Russia's rights to Left Bank Ukraine and Kyiv. However, not even a quarter of the truce period had passed before Russia declared war on Turkey.

During these years the Ottoman Empire led (and quite successfully) wars with its northern neighbors - Austria and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, as well as its ancient enemy - Venice. In order to successfully resist Turkish aggression, in 1684 these countries united in a military anti-Turkish alliance, the so-called “Holy League”. Having signed the “eternal peace” with Poland in 1686, Russia, under the terms of the treaty, joined this coalition and in the same year declared war on the Ottoman Empire.

Russia's specific contribution The fight against Turkey involved two Crimean campaigns, undertaken under the command of Princess Sophia’s favorite, Prince Vasily Vasilyevich Golitsyn in 1687 and 1689. The purpose of these military actions was to strike at the Crimean Khanate. However, it was not possible to achieve this goal: both times the Russian troops, suffering huge losses, were forced to retreat without reaching the territory of the peninsula. Almost a century remained before the liquidation of the centuries-old enemy of the Russians, the Crimean Khanate.

In the history of Russia, the 17th century is important point in its development. Being surrounded by numerous enemies, important processes took place within the country that influenced the further development of the state.

The main tasks of Russian foreign policy in the 17th century

At the beginning of the 17th century, the Time of Troubles began in Russia. The Rurik dynasty was interrupted and the Polish-Swedish intervention began. Only in 1612 was the country able to defend its sovereignty and reassert itself on the world stage by launching extensive foreign policy activities.

The main task of the new Russian dynasty was the return of Russian territories lost during the Time of Troubles. This also included the local task of gaining access to the Baltic Sea, because during the Russian Troubles these lands were occupied by Sweden.

Rice. 1. Map of Russia at the beginning of the 17th century.

The task of uniting the territories of the former Kievan Rus around Moscow remained historical. Moreover, it was not only about uniting the people, but also about increasing arable land and the number of taxpayers.

In other words, Russian foreign policy in the 17th century responded to the tasks of unifying and restoring the integrity of the country.

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Rice. 2. Siege of Chigirin.

Table “Russian Foreign Policy in the 17th Century”

Many modern European historians consider the development of Siberia to be colonization and the relationship of Moscow with the local population as a colony with the metropolis.

It is worth noting the emergence of the “Caspian issue” for Russia. The Rurikovichs did not have contact with all countries located in Eurasia. One of these was Persia.

In 1651, the Persian army entered Dagestan and the Caspian lands, wanting to claim their rights to them. As a result, military campaigns ended in nothing. In 1653, Alexei Mikhailovich managed to achieve the preservation of the position of the borders before the start of the Persian campaign. However, the struggle for the coast of the Caspian Lake was just beginning for Russia from that moment on.

Rice. 3. Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich.

One of the reasons for the unsolved nature of most problems was Russia's technological backwardness compared to European countries. After the Thirty Years' War in Europe, military affairs made great progress, but it bypassed Russian military art.

What have we learned?

Speaking briefly about Russian foreign policy in the 17th century, it should be noted that Russia was concerned with the restoration of its historical borders and the return of territories lost during the Time of Troubles. Most of the problems facing it in the 17th century were never solved.

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Have a good day everyone! We continue our immersion in the history of Russia. Foreign policy of the 17th century is a topic that needs to be understood very well. Of course, it differs from the complexity and diversity of directions. However, it is worth remembering that the main directions have remained unchanged. This topic is important. You can't imagine how many guys trip over it during the exam. Therefore, I recommend reading this article to the end.

Episode of the Smolensk War

Directions

In the 17th century, the traditional main directions of foreign policy were relevant to the Moscow state:

The Western direction included several tasks

1. Reunification with the Old Russian Ukrainian and Belarusian lands, which had been under the rule of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth since the 14th century. Since the beginning of the century, Poland began to actively pursue a policy of Polishing the Orthodox Ukrainian population, imposing Polish (the strictest) serfdom, introducing the Polish language and the Catholic faith. Such violent actions caused protest, first passive, when people united into brotherhoods and did not accept the new order, and then active, which resulted in the uprising of Bohdan Khmelnytsky. As a result, the matter ended with the fact that in 1654, left-bank Ukraine with Kiev on the right bank of the Dnieper recognized the supremacy of Muscovy and became part of it with the rights of autonomy. This led to the long Russian-Polish war of 1654 - 1667, about which read more.
2. The struggle for access to the Baltic Sea. You must remember that in the 16th century there was a long Livonian War for access to the Baltic states in order to establish trade through the Baltic Sea. But nothing worked out for Ivan the Terrible. Why, . Of course, the problem required solutions. As a result, under Alexei Mikhailovich, Muscovy began a war with Sweden from 1656 to 1658. The conflict ended with the Peace of Kardis, according to which Muscovy renounced all its acquisitions during the war in this region. There was no war on two fronts!

South direction

In the south, the key opponents of the Muscovite kingdom were the Crimean Khanate and the Ottoman Empire. The Crimeans continued to attack the south of the country, capture people and create all sorts of lawlessness. Turkey generally had imperial plans to conquer Poland, Austria, and expand its territories in the Balkans.

When the war with Poland began in Ukraine, Turkey decided to take advantage of the situation and attack it. Hetman of the Right Bank Independent Peter Doroshenko recognized the power of the Sultan, who, in turn, soon promised the hetman the acquisition of Kyiv, as well as other lands east of the Dnieper.

And as we said above, these lands were already behind Muscovy. Therefore, the Russian-Turkish war of 1672 - 1681 was inevitable. It ended with the Bakhchisarai Peace Treaty, according to which the border between the countries now ran along the Dnieper, the Ottomans recognized Kyiv and Left Bank Ukraine as Moscow; the Cossacks could now fish, and the Crimeans could roam near the Dnieper. Thus, the Muscovite kingdom conquered Ukraine not only from Poland, but also from Turkey.

East direction

I’m sure many of you are asking yourself the question: what kind of eastern direction can there be, since Moscow annexed the Kazan Khanate (1552), Astrakhan Khanate (1556), and began annexing the Siberian Khanate in 1581! Where further to the East? After all, the country had a small population.

The answer will be quite simple! The fact is that here we have the so-called spontaneous colonization. Many peasants fled from serfdom, wars and devastation, and turmoil to the East. Here they conveyed Russian to the locals, Orthodox faith. There were also various adventurers like Khabarov, Dezhnev, Poyarkov and others who wanted to find out what was next in the East!

Dezhnev's expedition

As a result, in 1689, the Treaty of Nerchinsk was concluded between Muscovy and China, according to which the border between the states passed along the Amur River. In fact, central Siberia and the Far East were not at all developed by the Russian people. These were distinctive areas where the local population lived, who obtained food in traditional ways. If you think about it, even now in a number of regions of these territories the way of life has practically not changed.

So the Japanese could have easily captured Kamchatka, if only they had not been too carried away by slaughtering each other, and then had not protected themselves from the whole world with a policy of self-isolation. They had a great chance! And now they are forced to live on their islands, waiting for a new eruption of deadly volcanoes!

As you can see, there were a lot of events in the 16th century. And we haven't sorted them all out. In my training courses I give everything necessary materials to study this topic in the form of my own video lessons, author’s tables, presentations, and auxiliary webinars. Our guys also solve tests on this topic in the Unified State Exam format. It is not surprising that 90 points is the average result of our guys. So I invite you to join us while all the places are not yet filled. Otherwise it will be too late!

Best regards, Andrey Puchkov

International position of Russia in the 17th century. was difficult.

Foreign policy tasks:

• The return of territories lost as a result of the Time of Troubles, the annexation of Ukrainian and other lands that were part of Ancient Rus'.
• Achieving access to the Baltic and Black Seas
• Further advance to the east

Economic and military backwardness of Russia: the palace cavalry is not able to withstand the powerful armies of Europe. Dependence on weapons imports.
They tried to ensure rearmament by importing weapons and hiring foreign officers, which made it dependent on European countries (Holland and Sweden).

The port of Arkhangelsk is vulnerable from Sweden. Diplomatic and cultural isolation of Russia (a backward eastern country).

Thus, isolation could be overcome only by creating a powerful army and breaking the diplomatic blockade.

Smolensk War (1632 - 1634): one of the elements of foreign policy of the 17th century

• The struggle for the revision of the Deulin agreements
• Due to diplomatic blunders (the Polish king Wladislaw agreed with the Crimean Tatars on joint actions)
• The slowness of the Russian troops led by boyar Shein
• Weakness of the army (Serving people left the army)
• As a result, the Peace of Polyanovsky was signed (the cities captured by the Russians were returned, Vladislav renounced his claims to the Russian throne)

Liberation movement in Ukraine - Breakthrough of foreign policy of the 17th century

Reasons for movement:

1648 - an uprising broke out in Ukraine, caused by social oppression, political, religious, national inequality, which the Ukrainian and Belarusian Orthodox population experienced while being part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

1596 - Uniate Church.

Zaporozhye Sich: did not engage in agriculture, retained autonomy, had an elected elder, served as a guard, repelled the raids of the Crimean Tatars and received rewards from the Polish government (but only registered Cossacks). The Zaporozhye Sich increased due to the fugitives, but the rest did not change -> social tension. This was a consequence of the foreign policy of the 17th century.

The uprising was led by Hetman Bohdan Khmelnytsky. In 1648 occupied Kyiv in August 1649. After the victory at Zbrov (betrayal of the Crimean Khan), a peace treaty was signed. The number of registered Cossacks increased to 40 thousand. In the Kyiv, Chernigov, and Bratslov lands, positions were occupied by Orthodox Christians.

Resumption of hostilities. 1651 - defeated at Berestechko. The Belotserkov Treaty reduced the Cossack register to 20 thousand, leaving a limit for Poles in the Kiev Voivodeship. 1653 — the threat of complete defeat loomed. In 1653 — The Zemsky Sobor decided to accept Ukraine under the “high hand” of the Russian Tsar.

Ukraine's annexation by Russia during 17th century foreign policy

Ukrainian Rada in Pereyaslavl in 1654. decided to annex Ukraine to Russia. Elected Cossack governance remained, headed by a hetman, who had the right to foreign policy relations with all countries, with the exception of Poland and Turkey.

Reasons for joining:

• Religious and ethnic community of the Russian and Ukrainian people.
• Their common historical past and joint struggle against external enemies.
• Maintaining independence required choosing the “lesser evil.” Joining a close culture, maintaining internal independence.
• The accession was in the interests of Russia.

War with Sweden. (1656 - 1658) - Breakthrough in foreign policy of the 17th century

Sweden took advantage of Poland's failures, wanting to strengthen its influence in the Baltic. The Swedes did not want Russia to strengthen. In 1655 they occupied Warsaw. Russia entered the war with Sweden. - Peace of Kardis, return of the occupied lands of Livonia.

Poland, having received a respite, regained its strength and continued the war with Russia. Part of the Cossack leadership took the side of Poland. 1667 - Truce of Andrusovo. The return of Smolensk, left-bank Ukraine, to Russia. Kyiv was given away for 2 years, but was never returned. 1686 — Eternal peace, a major diplomatic victory.

The Russian-Turkish War (1677 - 1681) is an eternal problem of Russian foreign policy

The reunification of Russia and Ukraine led to war with the Ottoman Empire. Russian-Ukrainian troops defended Chigirin. 1681 - Bakhchisarai truce for 20 years. The territory between the Dnieper and the Bug is neutral. The foreign policy of the 17th century was not successful towards Turkey.

1684 - creation of the Holy League - a Coalition of Austria, Poland, Venice, which counted on the support of Russia. This prompted Poland to sign the “Eternal Peace”.

New war of 1686 Russia announced Porte. It was not possible to take control of Crimea.

The Eastern direction is the peaceful direction of foreign policy of the 17th century

During the 17th century. Russian explorers advanced from Western Siberia to the shores of the Pacific Ocean.

Krasnoyarsk fort, Bratsk fort, Yakut fort, Irkutsk winter quarters. Yasak, a fur tax, was collected from the local population.

At the same time, peasant colonization of the arable lands of Southern Siberia began. By the 17th century the population was 150 thousand.

The main strategic tasks - gaining access to the seas and reunifying Russian lands - remained unresolved and passed into the next century. The Rebellion of Stepan Razin is also of great importance in world history.