The Rise of Russia

[HistoryDude]

Livonia was a large province, but that wasn’t why Peter wanted it. Peter wanted to make Russia a maritime power, and owning Livonia would aid this goal greatly - the region was almost encircled by four bodies of water - the Gulf of Riga, the Baltic, the Gulf of Finland, and Lake Tchude.

The conquest began when the Russians took the city of Marienburg by storm. They were cruel in this instance, utterly destroying the town and slaughtering its inhabitants. This was likely a preemptive measure intended to discourage rebellion by other cities in Livonia once it was conquered. After all, Peter would later marry a Livonian - from Marienburg, actually. This was probably a political match intended to gain Livonia’s loyalty - his new wife was the adoptive daughter of a minister of Marienburg. Certain modern tales portray this as a great romance, but that’s dubious. You might’ve heard of her - she’s better known as Catherine the Great.

While all of this was happening, Charles XII was dealing with Poland. He soon succeeded in installing his own candidate upon the Polish throne and moved to attack the newly-built St. Petersburg and its defensive fort, Cronstadt. Interestingly, Peter didn’t lead the defense of his capital himself. Instead, he entrusted it to a former peasant from Moscow, named Menzikoff.

The Swedish fleet approached Cronstadt in spring 1705 with around sixty guns, six frigates, two bomb ketches, and two fire ships. In addition, many Swedish soldiers landed on the rear. The Swedish seemed to be attempting to surround the city. In response, Menzikoff attacked the Swedes while hiding his troops behind well-defended redoubts. The Swedes were defeated, and St. Petersburg was saved.

But Russia’s troubles were far from over.

 

[DensleyBlair]

But Russia’s troubles were far from over.

Now that I can well believe…

 

[Gamov_Andrew]

Livonia was a large province, but that wasn’t why Peter wanted it. Peter wanted to make Russia a maritime power, and owning Livonia would aid this goal greatly - the region was almost encircled by four bodies of water - the Gulf of Riga, the Baltic, the Gulf of Finland, and Lake Tchude.

The conquest began when the Russians took the city of Marienburg by storm. They were cruel in this instance, utterly destroying the town and slaughtering its inhabitants. This was likely a preemptive measure intended to discourage rebellion by other cities in Livonia once it was conquered. After all, Peter would later marry a Livonian - from Marienburg, actually. This was probably a political match intended to gain Livonia’s loyalty - his new wife was the adoptive daughter of a minister of Marienburg. Certain modern tales portray this as a great romance, but that’s dubious. You might’ve heard of her - she’s better known as Catherine the Great.

While all of this was happening, Charles XII was dealing with Poland. He soon succeeded in installing his own candidate upon the Polish throne and moved to attack the newly-built St. Petersburg and its defensive fort, Cronstadt. Interestingly, Peter didn’t lead the defense of his capital himself. Instead, he entrusted it to a former peasant from Moscow, named Menzikoff.

The Swedish fleet approached Cronstadt in spring 1705 with around sixty guns, six frigates, two bomb ketches, and two fire ships. In addition, many Swedish soldiers landed on the rear. The Swedish seemed to be attempting to surround the city. In response, Menzikoff attacked the Swedes while hiding his troops behind well-defended redoubts. The Swedes were defeated, and St. Petersburg was saved.

But Russia’s troubles were far from over.

Great story. But I think you are writing about Petropalovskay fortness but not Cronstadt. Cronstadt was founded in the 1720-s as a fort., Petropavlovskay fortness was built in 1703 indeed. And that fort was attacked by the swedish troops in 1705.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Nice account of the founding of St Petersburg. Had no idea it was so recent (relatively speaking)

It's why it's so close to the rest of europe, on the coast and named after a Saint (or really, the monarch).

 

[HistoryDude]

Now that I can well believe…

I'm sure the winter will save them.

Great story. But I think you are writing about Petropalovskay fortness but not Cronstadt. Cronstadt was founded in the 1720-s as a fort., Petropavlovskay fortness was built in 1703 indeed. And that fort was attacked by the swedish troops in 1705.

Could be. I'm using "The Empire of Russia From the Remotest Periods to the Present Time" by John S. C. Abbott as a source here.

It's why it's so close to the rest of europe, on the coast and named after a Saint (or really, the monarch).

Indeed!

 

[HistoryDude]

1706 began with bad omens. In the last four pitched battles that they had fought, the Russians had been defeated. Augustus had been forced to write a letter to Stanislaus congratulating him on his ascent to the Polish throne. Indeed, he was only allowed to keep Saxony by submitting to Charles XII. The new Polish king was a Swedish vassal - in fact, if not in name. Even the Holy Roman Emperor, Joseph, implicitly obeyed Charles. In short, all of northern Europe except Russia was under Swedish control.

Even other European powers, such as France, wished to secure a peace between Sweden and Russia. It went unsaid that such a peace would be to Sweden’s favor. Peter, however, persevered despite the odds stacked against him. He is said to have proclaimed that, while Charles XII was an Alexander, he was no Darius. Peter had committed to fighting on, even against hopeless odds.

Charles XII accepted hia challenge. From Saxony, which he had brought to heel, he marched through a desolated Poland toward Moscow itself. He managed to defeat the Russians in their own territory, reaching even the great Dnieper, one of the central rivers of the Russian heartland. Peter the Great decided that was too far into Russia. Charles couldn’t be allowed to make further inroads into Russia, or all would be lost. Charles and Peter fought battle after battle, but neither managed to achieve a decisive victory.

And, in Russia, Peter had the advantage. Russia was his kingdom, and Charles was an invading conqueror. His supply lines were stretched thin. He was quickly losing men to both the Russians and the winter. Meanwhile, men were volunteering to fight for their tsar and their country. The cold was harsh, and the storms were worse. Neither side could fight for long in such conditions. Peasants were robbed - by both sides - so that the armies could survive.

As soon as the weather allowed it, both armies resumed their conflict. Charles, in his folly, had decided to attack Moscow by passing through the Ukraine. He believed that he could convince the locals to join him, but the locals had no interest in this offer.

By June, the two armies had joined together. Both were led by their sovereigns, the two greatest monarchs of the age. At Poltava, on the Vorskla River, near where it meets the Dnieper, four hundred miles south of Moscow, the battle would be fought.

It would be the stuff of legend. All of Europe knew that this was where history would be made. Two great monarchs, each determined to claim hegemony over the other, would fight. No matter who won, the war would be over, and the battle would be a place where history turned. One way or another, everything would be decided at Poltava.

 

[Surt]

Charles XII was an interesting character, unfortunately for him Sweden didn't have the needed manpower to win.

 

[Revan86]

Could be. I'm using "The Empire of Russia From the Remotest Periods to the Present Time" by John S. C. Abbott as a source here.

Hey @HistoryDude - marvellous writing here so far, and some really interesting insights into Russian history. I'm not sure I agree with them all, but you do have some astute insights into how Russia was shaped by the various historical forces at play within and around it! I realise you're talking history-history here, rather than alt-history just yet, but I can't wait to see how you blend the two together!

Another pair of source books which I personally found really useful for studying this period of Russian history are part of the Longman series: The Formation of Muscovy 1304-1613 by Robert O Crummey and The Making of Russian Absolutism 1613-1801 by Paul Dukes. George Vernadsky's A History of Russia is also useful, and he would certainly agree with you about the influence of the Mongols on Russian culture and statecraft. For a more philosophical approach, Nikolai Berdyaev's The Russian Idea might also be applicable.

At any rate, keep up the great writing! Subbing here.

 

[HistoryDude]

Charles XII was an interesting character, unfortunately for him Sweden didn't have the needed manpower to win.

Manpower was definitely part of it.

Hey @HistoryDude - marvellous writing here so far, and some really interesting insights into Russian history. I'm not sure I agree with them all, but you do have some astute insights into how Russia was shaped by the various historical forces at play within and around it! I realise you're talking history-history here, rather than alt-history just yet, but I can't wait to see how you blend the two together!

Another pair of source books which I personally found really useful for studying this period of Russian history are part of the Longman series: The Formation of Muscovy 1304-1613 by Robert O Crummey and The Making of Russian Absolutism 1613-1801 by Paul Dukes. George Vernadsky's A History of Russia is also useful, and he would certainly agree with you about the influence of the Mongols on Russian culture and statecraft. For a more philosophical approach, Nikolai Berdyaev's The Russian Idea might also be applicable.

At any rate, keep up the great writing! Subbing here.

Thanks! I'll check those out.

 

[HistoryDude]

Both sides knew Poltava, or at least a battle like it, would be the end. It started with a lot of maneuvering and skirmishing by both sides. Peter the Great led sixty thousand troops, but he knew that the soldiers of his enemy were superior to his. As such, he hid behind his redoubts.

Two days before the Battle began, however, fortune smiled upon the Russians. A bullet struck Charles XII, injuring his heel. This was a stroke of luck for the Russians, who greatly feared the Swedish king. Now, however, he was injured. Even if he did lead his men into battle, he would be as mighty as he had been before.

Although Charles did suffer much pain through his wound, and even more through healing it, he would not go down lightly. He ordered his men to carry him in a litter to the frontlines and led the charge against the Russians. This was an impetuous move, but it is likely that both sides were getting tired of waiting for the great battle. Still, it was initially successful - although many Swedes perished, two of Peter’s redoubts were taken.

The Swedes thought themselves victorious, and some even gave shouts of victory. They boasted too soon - the action was far from over.

Indeed, it lasted for around two hours. Charles XII, pistol in hand, continued to lead his men, even from his litter. Eventually, one of the Russian cannons killed one of the men holding him, which shattered the litter and dropped the great Swedish king to the ground. Even this was not enough to do in that great monarch. Charles ordered another litter to be made - this time with pikes. He continued to direct his men, ignoring all weapons fired at him.

However, Charles wasn’t the only great monarch fighting in this great battle. Peter the Great was equally courageous. Part of him must have known that death would be a better fate for him than defeat, for he was aware of Poland’s fate. Still, that doesn’t diminish his courage, as he also ignored many weapons fired at him.
Neither king would give up. Both led their men, heedless of the danger to themselves, onwards. This would not be a battle of the wills between monarchs, but a true battle between armies. In the end, the Swedes gave way and were forced to flee.

Charles remained courageous even in the face of defeat. Despite his injury, he still managed to attempt to flee on horseback. He even managed to succeed, but he was left without an army. He crossed the Dnieper and fled to the lands of the Ottomans.

Word of his attempt reached the great Russian tsar, who was magnanimous in victory. He didn’t wish to see so great a foe reduced to such glorious infamy, and that he would take Charles prisoner. Instead, they could negotiate peace.

The courier dispatched to deliver this message was outrun, though. Peter was magnanimous with his imprisoned Swedish captives, toasting “to the health of my masters in the art of words”.

Despite these pretty words, Peter proved that he was not a saint. He exiled nearly all of these men to Siberia soon after.

Poltava destroyed Swedish power. Poland was soon restored to the Saxon elector. Charles XII was now trapped in the Ottoman Empire, and Sweden refused to accept him back at that moment.

Like the classical Achilles, Charles XII had been destroyed by a wound to his heel. He hadn’t killed him, but it had killed his power. However, Peter was no Hector, and he would not be destroyed by his Swedish enemies. There were no other Swedes to perform the function of the other Greek heroes in the sack of great Ilium for Russia. Russia was ascendant. From here, they would only rise for many years.

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Well let's see...the powerful neighbours are beaten, the frontier in siberia is secured, and Russia is on the path to modernisation and (attempted) integration into Europe.

So Consolidation and reform along the European borders, making some friends with other empires, and smacking down the Chinese is probably the way to go now.

 

[HistoryDude]

After Poltava, Livonia was quickly annexed. However, the Great Northern War’s effects were not over. As is often the case with the Horseman of War, the other horsemen followed in his wake. In this case, that was pestilence. That spread from Livonia to Sweden. Thousands died in Stockholm, which probably caused some fear for Peter in all honesty. Sweden had been his enemy, but they were still geographically close to one another, so the plague could still spread.

To make matters worse, Charles XII was still in the Turkish lands, and he still wished to reclaim his kingdom. To do that, he needed to defeat Russia. Obviously, he couldn’t do this alone, so he asked the Turks for help. The Ottoman Sultan agreed and brought two hundred thousand men to Russia.

It was unlikely that any other European Christian power would aid Peter. Even if he could appeal to religious commonality - which was doubtful - all of the other European nations were busy fighting each other over the Spanish Succession.

Still, Peter was aware that the Ottomans were his foes, and he was prepared for that. He had raised an army of 125,000 men. When he heard of the Turkish move to Azov, he urged his men to rush toward the border. He moved his army to the Moldavian capital, and the Ottoman grand vizier crossed the Danube River with three times the soldiers.

For three days, the battle raged, but the tsar was losing. He was in a desperate position, and he was surrounded. Peter knew how bad his position was and so (at the behest of his wife) offered peace and money. The Ottoman Empire saw the might of Russia and agreed to peace.

Sweden was still at war with Russia, though. Russia wanted to rule Finland. Finland’s capital was quick to fall. The tsar let his generals manage most of this conquest. This was to Russia’s advantage, as the cold winter was familiar to them.

Charles XII escaped the Ottoman Empire in autumn, 1714, just after Finland was under Russian control. Charles, in disguise, traveled through Hungary and Germany in search of restored power. Charles did manage to reclaim Sweden.

Peter, however, was perhaps not as worried as he should have been about this. He decided to tour Europe - this time with Catherine - leaving the war to his generals.

 

[HistoryDude]

Well let's see...the powerful neighbours are beaten, the frontier in siberia is secured, and Russia is on the path to modernisation and (attempted) integration into Europe.

So Consolidation and reform along the European borders, making some friends with other empires, and smacking down the Chinese is probably the way to go now.

Yep. Of course, the war isn't completely over yet, but it's quickly winding down.

 

[DensleyBlair]

Finland is in an unenviable position. And I suppose it’s not about to catch a break now…

 

[Surt]

Russia, the prison of nations ...

 

[TheButterflyComposer]

Everything seems to be going well. Final decision on Finland coming up (puppet state or annex). Sweden cowed and basically defeated (they aren't coming back from losing Finland unless they do something amazing like defeat Denmark). The ottomans are a worry (they fielded an impressively large army) but now europe is relatively secure, perhaps leaning on them would be a good idea (especially as all the European empires who would normally intervene are fighting over the Spanish crown).

All looking good for Russia.

 

[Gamov_Andrew]

That was the so-called "Prut march", a very dangerouse moment for Peter the Great. Owing to competence and discipline of his soldiers, diplomatic skills and bravery of his wife, Peter has survived. He was forced to burn Black Sea fleet and destroy the fortress of Azov. Finland was a small coin indeed.

 

[Gamov_Andrew]

Russia, the prison of nations ...

As any Empire

 

[HistoryDude]

Peter’s son, Alexei, was a consistent thorn in the side of the great Emperor. He opposed the reforms of his father and even headed a party against him. Peter warned him that he would remove him from the succession if he didn’t change his ways, but that did nothing - Alexei replied that he didn’t want the crown.

When the tsar left for Denmark, he received news that Alexei was gathering all those who disliked his reforms. This made it look as if he was planning a rebellion, so Peter sent him a letter telling to change his ways or become a monk. Alexei more or less replied that he’d become a monk, then, although he couldn’t go with that.

Alexei ultimately fled to Germany, which was ruled by his brother-in-law. Unfortunately for him, he found no welcome there, so Alexei decided to flee once more - this time to Naples. There, he continued living as he had lived - in debauchery.

The good tsar thus sent two of his advisors in an effort to make his son see the error of his ways. Alexei was convinced to return, but not to abandon his ways. Peter talked with his son, but they couldn’t reconcile, so Alexei was forced to renounce his claim to the throne.

However, it clearly had no intention of keeping that promise. He led a conspiracy to seize the throne for himself, violently. He had even sought foreign aid from the German emperor for this enterprise. However, it seemed as if he planned to wait for his father’s death to begin this civil war. When news of this reached the good tsar, he decided that his son must be hanged for treason. His court agreed with him on this matter, and he was sentenced to death.

The former Crown Prince promptly died by his own terror, although he did receive pardon from Peter in the hour of his death.

However, Peter’s other son had died afterward, leaving Russia without an heir - except a young grandson, too young to rule. As a result, Peter decided to crown Catherine empress on May 18, 1724 - to succeed him when he died and to decide his successor.

 

[HistoryDude]

Finland is in an unenviable position. And I suppose it’s not about to catch a break now…

Not at the moment.

Russia, the prison of nations ...

As any Empire

Yep. Perhaps that's why empires inevitably fall?

Everything seems to be going well. Final decision on Finland coming up (puppet state or annex). Sweden cowed and basically defeated (they aren't coming back from losing Finland unless they do something amazing like defeat Denmark). The ottomans are a worry (they fielded an impressively large army) but now europe is relatively secure, perhaps leaning on them would be a good idea (especially as all the European empires who would normally intervene are fighting over the Spanish crown).

All looking good for Russia.

Indeed. The Ottomans will continue to be a worry, of course, but, as long as the succession is secure, Russia should be fine.

That was the so-called "Prut march", a very dangerouse moment for Peter the Great. Owing to competence and discipline of his soldiers, diplomatic skills and bravery of his wife, Peter has survived. He was forced to burn Black Sea fleet and destroy the fortress of Azov. Finland was a small coin indeed.

Indeed. It was quite a Pyrrhic "victory"... and should teach the Russians to be weary of their Turkish rivals.