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The Onset of Russian Efforts to Gain Access to The Grand Alliance (1706)

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Burdowicz-Nowicki J.

Kwartalnik Historyczny

2006

vol. 113

issue 3

19-44

Russian endeavours to join the Grand Alliance directed against France constituted a priority in the policy pursued by Peter I the Great from the second half of 1706 to the beginning of 1708. The author discussed the onset of the titular efforts, and recreated the most important political goals in Russia at the time of their inauguration. The invasion of Saxony conducted by Charles XII of Sweden (summer 1706) posed a threat for the Reich, especially the Habsburg states, engaged in hostilities against France. There appeared the possibility of combining the up to then separate conflicts - the War of the Spanish Succession and the Northern War, thus providing Russia with an opportunity to extract herself from political isolation and establish an alliance with the western powers. This is the reason why Peter I cherished a profound hope that The Allies and particularly England would perceive him as a valuable ally and, in return for military assistance, accept at least part of the Baltic conquests made by Russia. A significant role in kindling these hopes was played by the English diplomat Charles Whitworth. The author stressed the fundamental divergences between the protocols of the negotiations conducted in Moscow between Whitworth and the Russian chancellors, and the official reports made by the English diplomat. Apparently, without Whitehall authorisation, Whitworth expecting an autbreak of Swedish-Austrian war proposed joint support for Emperor Joseph I and his anti-Swedish policies and the signing of a Russian-English alliance. The most probable explanation of this conduct appears to lie in Whitworth's connections with the imperial court and involvement in putting an end to the uprising in Hungary. The offers made by Whitworth to a considerable extent influenced the tsarist instruction intended for A. A. Matveev, the Russian ambassador to England. Furthermore, the early Russian efforts concerning the Grand Alliance were accompanied by a number of issues that were to perform a considerable part in the diplomatic intrigues of 1707, the end of the Hungarian uprising, and changes upon the Polish throne.

Russian Activity after the Double Election - June-August 1697

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Burdowicz-Nowicki J.

Kwartalnik Historyczny

2008

vol. 115

issue 1

5-33

The article discusses successive stages in active Russian policy regarding candidates to the Polish throne - starting with the origin of the Russian 'gramota' addressed to the Polish gentry gathered for the purposes of holding an election, to the final support given by Peter I to Augustus II. The author conducts a polemic with the opinion expressed by the majority of historians about the significant impact of Russian involvement upon the outcome of the election and the importance of tsarist support for Augustus II. Moreover, he indicates that Russian policy vis a vis the future of the Polish throne was actually cautious and flexible. The public demonstration of adamant determination should be regarded as an element of a propaganda campaign intended to produce an illusion of the 'essential influence' of Russian engagement upon the results of the election. The thus generated conviction was presumably to be used in relations with the new Polish monarch and other states. Already the origin of the tsarist decision to become embroiled in the election and to dispatch the 'gramota' should be associated with Russian-Prussian negotiations. The harsh terms of the 'gramota' were not, however, connected with plans for intervention in Poland. Russia did not even intend to reveal the contents of the document in case the French candidate should win. Although the tsar approved the choice of Augustus II and expressed his initial support, he was not convinced about the ultimate nature of the victory enjoyed by the Saxon contender. When in August 1697 Peter was under the impression that Augustus was considering his resignation, the tsar turned directly to the Poles, offering them armed assistance against the French candidate. Only news about the arrival of Augustus II to Poland and the latter's declaration of friendship with Russia inclined Peter I to finally announce his backing for the Saxon ruler.

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The Onset of Russian Efforts to Gain Access to The Grand Alliance (1706)

Russian Activity after the Double Election - June-August 1697