AQA A-LEVEL HISTORY 7042/1E ||Component 1E Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682–1796 ||QUESTIONS & MARKING SCHEME MERGED ||

Section A Answer Question 01. Extract A The objectives of Russia’s foreign policy towards Turkey arose from its geographical and political situation. The objectives were also influenced by traditional friendships and enemies. To the south, Russia had been defending itself for centuries against the Tatars of the Crimea. So, looked at from a Russian point of view, Catherine’s wars against the Turks were the fulfilment of aims they had long had. The Treaty of Kutschuk Kainardzhi in 1774 opened up vast areas of economic development in the south of Russia. The annexation of the Crimea in 1783 was the final subordination of the descendants of Genghis Khan. The annexation also allowed Russia to become a naval power on the Black Sea. The peace of Jassy in 1791 consolidated Russian control of the estuary of the Dnieper. This opened the way for the development of other major Black Sea ports, such as Odessa. These Black Sea ports became outlets for the grain trade. To this extent therefore, Catherine’s achievement was fully in line with traditional Russian aims. Adapted from I de Madariaga, Catherine the Great, 1990 5 10 Extract B In 1768, when Turkey declared war on Russia for violating its territories, Catherine had been aiming to acquire a port on the Black Sea. Such a port would give Russia access to the Mediterranean. By the Treaty of Kutschuk Kainardzhi in 1774, Catherine had more than achieved her goals and had also succeeded in frightening all Europe with her military might. However, a further goal, the ‘Greek Project’, gained momentum during the following decade. This was Catherine’s dream of annexing Istanbul. The project may never have been thought of as truly realistic but it tapped into Russian Orthodox beliefs of Holy Russia. Her policy, however, was consistently opposed by her more enlightened ministers. In spite of the spectacular victories promised by her favourite, Potemkin, opposition to Catherine’s expansionist policies increased between 1774 and 1787. Nobles and officials feared these policies would lead to another costly and unwanted war with Turkey. Adapted from V Aksan, Mobilization, Supply, and Command in the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774, 1993 5 10 3 IB/M/Jun23/7042/1E Turn over ► Extract C When Turkey started the war with Russia in 1768, Catherine rejoiced in seizing the opportunity that war offered. War was a sure means of helping to consolidate Russia’s international position. War would relieve tension in a long-idle army. War would satisfy the Russian army’s craving for ranks, trophies, and feats of heroism. War was a way to ease the pressure of internal problems in the country as the failure to solve internal problems could be blamed on external enemies. The Tsar could also be seen as a glorious victor. In 1769 Voltaire called on Catherine to drive the Turks out of Europe and to turn Constantinople into the capital of Russia. To Catherine, the south seemed to offer limitless opportunities for opening up the Russian empire. Potemkin’s military achievements combined well with rapid administrative, economic, and naval advances. Catherine was filled with enthusiasm. She could, without boasting too much, write, “Victories are something we are accustomed to.” Adapted from E Anisimov, Five Empresses, 2004 5 10 0 1 Using your understanding of the historical context, assess how convincing the arguments in these three extracts are in relation to Catherine the Great’s policy