Russian Imperialist Interests in the South Caucasus in the XVI-XVII Centuries (According to the Questionnaires of the Russian Ambassadors)

Proceedings of The 4th International Conference on Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts

Year: 2023

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/4th.icsha.2023.04.002

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Russian Imperialist Interests in the South Caucasus in the XVI-XVII Centuries (According to the Questionnaires of the Russian Ambassadors)

Tamriko LekiaSvili

ABSTRACT: 

The purpose of this article is to examine Russia’s imperialist ambitions in the South Caucasus during the XVI-XVII centuries. During this period, the region was under the control of two powerful eastern countries, Persia and the Ottomans, which posed a threat to the stability of the region. However, by the mid-sixteenth century, a new political landscape began to take shape, with Moscow State emerging as a third power with its own strategic interests in the area. Unlike Persia and the Ottomans, Russia adopted a more diplomatic approach to its involvement in the region, avoiding military confrontation whenever possible. Within the frames of the study, we employed the historical-comparative method, analyzing various historical facts and conducting a systemic analysis to draw relevant conclusions. Our research included an examination of written instructions and questionnaires from Russian ambassadors who were sent to the Georgian principalities during the XVI-XVII centuries. Through this analysis, we discovered that Moscow’s primary objective during this period was to maintain its position in the Caucasus by establishing its influence among individual Caucasian sovereigns.
Our research also revealed that the Georgian kings and princes had an incomplete understanding of Russia’s foreign policy objectives, despite their desire to be liberated from Persia and the Ottomans. This lack of understanding was due in part to the complexity of Russia’s strategic goals in the region. Nevertheless, the common faith shared by Russia and Georgia provided a “good bait” for Russia to expand its influence in the region. In preparation for its eventual attack on the Caucasus, Russia collected various types of political, economic, and statistical information to ensure its success. This information was critical to the success of Russia’s imperialist ambitions in the South Caucasus during the XVI-XVII centuries.

keywords: Diplomacy, Economics, Religion, Observation, Policy