History 21/03/20 As Peter I wanted to make Madagascar part of Russia
Few people know, but in the early XVIII century Peter the great decided to colonize Africa. Why was this necessary? Why Madagascar did not become ours? We decided to find out.
Peter I was marked in history as the Tsar-reformer with boundless boundless energy. He and the army changed, and the enemies were beaten, and on the ship went, he built them.
And should I be surprised that one day, Peter A. with great attention listened to the project of the former subjects of king Karl XII of Sweden – Vice-Admiral Wilster. Got yourself an admission to Peter and almost from the verge suggested it as a protectorate is not some trifle, and Africa. Let not all, but only a piece. Really impressive – the whole island.
Historical background
If the XVI century was a century of great geographical discoveries, covered the exploits of discoverers, where that is not the name, adventure the character of sweet baby dream – Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Cortes, Pizarro, Magellan, Albuquerque, the XVIII had ozvuchila knock heads a strong European powers and a crack of pirate flags of the freemen.
By the time Spain and Portugal naotkryvali all that I managed to reach, or rather swim. But few take as little open. We still Deplete-open hold. But it did have bad luck. The rights of the team on oily areas began to actively challenge the new, matured to the oceanic battle-players – Britain, the Netherlands and France.
In the colonial quarrel took part and persona non grata – that plied the waters under the splash of the Jolly Roger and quickly realized that, at the time sharing the booty with the August patrons, acquire a near-legal status. Gradually the place where they were perigiali from grappling hooks and stripped the bottoms of their caravels from the shell shell, formed their own laws, the elected representatives began to engage in legitimate communications with merchants and deven governments.
one of these “kings of pirates, self-proclaimed Emperor of Madagascar captain Avery” and his “glorious deeds” made up “report” Daniel Defoe. The book went for a walk around the world. And the rumors of pirate country and came to the ears of Peter I. therefore, he drove the enemy Admiral filthy broom, and planned to build bridges of diplomacy between Russia and some “Kingdom of Madagascar”.
“the Madagascar Kingdom”
In 1506 the Portuguese sailor Lorenzo Almendro opened in the Indian ocean huge island East of Africa. Called Saint Lorenzo and scribbled on the map. However, the Portuguese did not gain a foothold on the island and soon there was raided by the French, who called the dry land earth of the island and declared it a province of the French crown. Made the natives slaves, their land – plantations, coastal Bay – transit points on the way from Europe to India.
In 1670 on the island, a riot broke out, in which the French colonialists killed, and the island was named Madagascar. European presence are preserved only in the form of a filibuster bases that lived in secluded lagoons of the coast. This Corsair a handful of Wilster and introduced himself to Peter as the “Kingdom of Madagascar”.
“Swedish ears”
in the nineteenth century historian J. Seidel suspected of Wilster in misinformation. And considered in the shadow of the obviously protruding “ears” Swedish interests. His hypothesis stated in 1867 in the article in the magazine “Marine collection”. According to her in the early eighteenth century, the Indian ocean pirates of the Scandinavian roots begged the king of Sweden Amnesty.
In the Northern war, the Swedes were defeated. But revenge is not abandoned. Although the budget of the crown was that the cheese – full of holes. So it is not Christian charity’s sake, and in hope for pirate treasure, Carl their sins were released. But the pirates in Stockholm with his untold wealth and has not appeared. But in the depths of the Royal administration has matured the idea of colonizing the island of Madagascar. However, the the political horizon of Sweden emerged, quartered in London, like the Governor of Madagascar – one Morgan. With the proposal to take the equipment on 30 vessels by the African expedition. So the Swedish costs are limited to only a couple of ships.
the Bait stirred up the appetites of Charles. At the head of the expedition put the captain-commander Ulrich, Vice-Admiral Wilster and Secretary of the Swedish Ministry of foreign Affairs background Hepken. Started implementation in 1721. But it didn’t happen. Historians believe – funds from the Swedish crown even this is not enough. Two years later, in 1723 – Wilster, decided to try his luck under the enemy’s banners, has already appeared before the furious eyes of hot Russian Emperor with the same mystification plan.
the Expedition is Top Secret
the African “Historia” Russian razliva immediately surrounded by supersecretproject. Made her closest to Peter I. Secretly allocated from the Treasury three thousand gold rubles.
campaign Strategy was developed in the office of the commander of the Russian Navy General-Admiral F. M. Apraksin. Without the inclusion of the Admiralty and the Ministry of foreign Affairs (“Bo was filled” to capacity with representatives of the Western courts). Arrival point the paper did not trust. Peter vaguely podmahnuli “to follow in an assigned place.” To go under the military flag, and under the trade. And since the 32-gun frigates could arouse suspicion, to move through the English channel, as “round the British shores”.
of Wilster, whom Peter was called only “honest and vysokoparnym flagship”, fully insulated. He lived in the house of the commandant of Rogervik rights-virtually a prisoner. The commander of one of the frigates captain Butcher and assistant Wilster captain Lieutenant Kiselyov obliged to observe the Wilster. The Wilster got the plans for the expedition just after they set foot on the deck of the ship. The documents were allowed to open only in the North sea.
And in December, 1723, the two frigates – “Amsterdam Galey” and “Dacron de Levde” proudly lifted anchor and left astern pORT revel. But not far away. Did not even come close to the Danish Straits, that is, not managed to leave the Baltic. One of the ships sprang a leak. The other revealed problems with stability. And they turned back.
the Problem of the court was replaced by the frigates – “Prince Eugene” and “Cruiser”. But the re-start of the expedition was a blast. And after the death of Peter I in 1725, the African campaign was put on the cross.
the reasons for the failure
the Historiographer of the Russian fleet F. F. Veselago first reason is seen in the weak “technical equipment young fleet” and the lack of sufficient oceanic navigation experience at the Russian sailors. Others insist that the Russian fleet in the last years of his life Peter was one of the best in Europe, France was already negotiating the purchase of Russian warships, and under the flag of St. Andrew there were a lot of skilled foreigners.
the Second reason Peter did not have enough money.
Third, even if and made, the “Kingdom of Madagascar” turned out to be a phantom, so and agree there would be no one.
And, maybe, Peter just realized that “a bird in the hand is worth two in the Bush” and did not the African “pie” more distracted. Because I wanted to expand diplomatic and trade contacts of their powers with the Empire of the Mughals. And provided their envoys notes of intent – to the Governor of Madagascar and to the Great Mogul of Bengal (India).
Russian Seven
Source:
© Russian Seven
Recommended statesalaska… Share: Comments Comments on the article “How Peter the great wanted to make Madagascar part of Russia” Please log in to leave a comment! br>
Share on Tumblr
