The foreign policy of Elizabeth (briefly)

All-Russian Empress Elizabeth - the daughter of Peter the Great and Empress Catherine Alexeevna.He ascended the throne in 1741 and ruled for twenty years.In the domestic and foreign policy adhered to the principles Elizabeth reign of his father.

Foreign Policy predecessors Elizabeth

After the death of Peter the Great, Russia's foreign policy has been stingy with the event.The current rulers of poorly maintained course of his political activities.During the reign of Catherine I, wife of Peter, have sharply deteriorated Russia's relations with Britain and France because of differences in the relative position of Schleswig.

Also during this period took place the collapse of the European powers into two camps.The Russian Empire was a part of the Vienna Union, together with Austria, Prussia and Spain.

reign of Peter II is not particularly cares about the foreign policy of the young sovereign was more interested in hunting and recreation.

foreign policy during Anna Ivanovna became more meaningful.Competitive agreements were concluded with Persia, to improve relations with Sweden.In 1735 Russia went to war with Turkey, and won, to annex Moldavia and leaving behind Azov.

under the regency of Anna Leopoldovna foreign policy is nothing remarkable happened.In 1741, twenty years after the revolution began the reign of Elizabeth.

Politicians under Elizabeth

During the reign of Empress Elizabeth (1741-1761) appointed Chancellor (Minister for Foreign Affairs), Count Bestuzhev-Ryumin.Alexei Petrovich held this post for sixteen years.

But Bestuzhev-Ryumin could spend those years in very different conditions.Since he was a colleague of Biron, and, consequently, Anna Ivanovna, after the accession to the throne of Elizabeth I fell into disgrace and was jailed.Fortunately confidant of the Empress was his friend Johann Lestocq who intercede and the fate of the AP Bestuzhev.

According to the memoirs of contemporaries, Vice-Chancellor, he was a skillful diplomat and participated in all foreign affairs of Russia until 1757.The foreign policy of Elizabeth when Bestuzhev-Ryumin different peacefulness.In 1758, Alexei Petrovich was stripped of all his ranks and titles and exiled for speculation and spreading rumors about the Empress's illness.

He was replaced by Mikhail Vorontsov.He supported the direction of the foreign policy of Elizabeth, even though he held a lifetime pro-French views.Among the European powers had a reputation for peace-lover, because they do not wish to involve Russia in armed conflicts.

Foreign Policy Elizabeth briefly characterized as zapadnovektornaya, however, and the eastward expansion took place rapidly.

Russian-Swedish war

time of Elizabeth's reign was a period of struggle against the French and the Austrians.Each side wanted to attract the Empress in their alliance.But since Russia adhered to pro-Austrian views, as bequeathed to Peter the First, France has decided to divert the Russian Empire by the war in the north, so that it did not prevent her claims to the Austrian Succession.

Thus, the union between France and Sweden.Last I planned to take revenge for the defeat in the Northern War and recover the lost territories.

Also in 1739 Sweden has signed an alliance treaty with Turkey against Russia.And July 28, 1741 war was declared.Despite this, just fighting began only in late August.

In November, there was a revolution in Russia, and Elizabeth's foreign policy began with the announcement of a truce.However, in March 1742 hostilities resumed.Swedes sags markedly in the defense and, finally, in August, and were surrounded by land and sea.

August 24 capitulation was signed, and the Swedes returned home, leaving all the guns on the ground.Technically, the war continued until 1743, but military operations have taken place at sea and almost without weapons.Flotilla of the two countries simply guarding their territory.

Treaty of Åbo

peace talks between Russia and Sweden began in January 1743 and lasted almost until the middle of summer.It was made a special act, which contains the main points of the agreement.

• Sweden undertook to elect to the throne Adolf Friedrich, Regent Holstein.
• Russia inherited the fortress Nyslott, Kyumenigordsky flax, as well as all the river's mouth Kiumeni.
• Instead, Russia is back in Sweden all captured territory from 1741.
• Sweden has once again confirmed the right of the Russian Empire in the Baltic States won during the Great Northern War.

August 19 the Empress Elizabeth signed a peace treaty Abosky.

Seven Years 'War

Seven Years' War, or as it is called, Colonial, began with a confrontation between two of the American colonies - French and English.After the usual conflict escalated into armed confrontation, Britain declared war on France for the European territory.

ascended the throne of Prussia Frederick II decided to strengthen its position in Europe, and without declaring war, attacked Saxony.He concluded a treaty with England, is not particularly favorable to it, but gives hope that it will keep Russia out of the war.Friedrich proved short-sighted, for which he later paid.Between France, Austria and Russia had concluded a defensive alliance against Prussia.Allied army twice the size of the Prussian army.

Elizabeth's foreign policy in relation to Prussia was aimed at weakening and containment.In September 1756, Russia declared war on Prussia, but military action came only in 1757.

commanded the Russian army, Field Marshal Apraksin, who was soon removed from his post and arrested for the withdrawal of troops from East Prussia.

Battle of Gross-Egersdorf

first major battle in the Seven Years' War with Russia took place August 19, 1757 near the village of Grosse Egersdorf.

Home Prussians attack was unexpected, so the first few minutes of battle were left behind them.Russian soldiers had to retreat under the protection of their guns.The plans of Prussia was breached in the Russian central defense, where eventually there was a very fierce battle.

From the valley fighting moved into the forest, where they could be observed even a close fight.The outcome of the battle decided by Major General Rumyantsev, who made a surprise attack on the left flank of the Prussians.Opponents turned into a stampede.

Russian losses in the five-hour battle amounted to nearly 6,000 people, including 1,487 killed.The Prussians lost more than 4 thousand soldiers.

Unfortunately, the brilliant victory of Gross-Egersdorf not Apraksin was used for the further conduct of the war.A week after parking, he and his troops began to withdraw from the territory of Prussia Kurland (historians tend to believe that the derogation is due to give Apraksin letters from Bestuzhev-Ryumin, which referred to the dying state of the Empress and the imminent ascension to the throne of Peter Fedorovich, idolized Prussia).

Continuation War

In 1758, the new Chief of the Russian troops Willem Fermor began his march to East Prussia, and easily took its capital - Koenigsberg.The Russian army was on its way to Berlin.The village Zorndorf it met Frederick II.There was a bloody battle.Both sides suffered huge losses and, exhausted, spent the night right on the battlefield, and in the morning Friedrich took his army back, fearing reinforcements from Rumyantsev.

In May 1759 he was appointed the new commander of the army - PSSaltykov.He won the battle of Paltsige and allied allied army of Austria on the way to Berlin.

August 12, 1759 held a battle of kunersdorf in which Frederick was broken, and the road to the capital of Prussia - open.However, differences in the camp of the allies prevented them bring it to final victory.

In October 1760 the Allies had captured Berlin.Friedrich with the remnants of his army fled to Saxony, where he hoped to strengthen and join the ranks of the soldiers.

end of the war for Russia

war in Russia ended unexpectedly, and not, as many people thought.The defeat of Frederick has been an obvious fact, and the foreign policy of Elizabeth in his attitude was unequivocal.The war was fought to the bitter end.

But in December 1761 the Empress died.On the throne is entering her nephew Peter, who makes a shameful peace with Frederick II, he returns all the conquered territory, and sends him to help in the fight against Austria Division.So recent opponents have become associates, giving the Prussian King a chance to finish the job.

results of the foreign policy of Elizabeth

the location of the empress fought every second statesman, and each had their own personal goal.The foreign policy of Elizabeth briefly characterized as ill-conceived.It has not been chosen the precise course of the state as under Peter the First.Despite this, most of the time of Elizabeth's reign, Russia was in a state of peace.Relations with the West and the East have developed steadily.Consider the results of the Empress in the form of tables.

Western foreign policy of Elizabeth.Table №1

East foreign policy of Elizabeth.Table №2

These are the results of the Empress.Perhaps she lived a long, political map of Europe at the time would have looked very different.But the history of the subjunctive alien.