Foreign affairs and wars: wars against Turkey and Sweden
Peter fought two major wars to win Russia access to the sea. He fought Turkey for a southern outlet and Sweden for a northern one.
Real World
Peter's obsession with sea access mirrors modern geopolitical thinking: Russia's 2014 seizure of Crimea was partly motivated by the same centuries-old need to protect its Black Sea naval base at Sevastopol, first secured in Peter's era.
Exam Focus
Always link military campaigns to their strategic purpose — access to warm-water ports — rather than treating them as isolated events.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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