North Africa in the Foreign Policy of Catherine II

The 18th century was in many ways a transformative era for the Russian Empire, characterized by substantial internal reforms and notable foreign policy achievements. Amidst sweeping modernization efforts, Russia secured significant victories on the international stage. Under Peter I, Russia “opened a window” to Europe, while Catherine II’s reign expanded the country’s geopolitical reach to the Black Sea, facilitating access to fertile southern territories and establishing crucial maritime routes for international trade. These strategic advancements enhanced Russia’s influence and strategic capacities considerably. During Catherine II’s reign, Russia also made its first forays into North Africa, a region previously beyond the Empire’s strategic horizon. Before gaining access to the Black and Mediterranean Seas, Russia had virtually no contact with the countries of North Africa. However, the geopolitical landscape of Catherine’s era made interaction with Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Tripoli a possibility. This article investigates the main foreign policy initiatives of Russia in North Africa during the latter half of the 18th century. These efforts served as ancillary operations to Russia’s overarching conflict with the Ottoman Empire. Throughout the Russo–Turkish Wars, Russia exploited separatist movements within the Ottoman periphery to weaken its adversary strategically. In times of peace, Russian priorities shifted to safeguarding merchant vessels in the Mediterranean from attacks by Barbary corsairs – specifically from Tunisia, Algeria, and Tripoli. To mitigate these threats, Russia exerted diplomatic pressure on the Sublime Porte and sought to negotiate peace agreements with North African states. Nevertheless, these early Russian engagements in North Africa were tentative and often marked by limited success and instances of diplomatic adventurism, leaving several initiatives unrealized. Utilizing archival documents from the Archive of Foreign Policy of the Russian Empire (AVPRI) and the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts (RGADA), this article provides a detailed examination of Russia’s diplomatic decision-making and negotiations with North African states. While prior Russian and foreign scholarship has analysed specific events and countries in this context, this study seeks to offer a more holistic understanding of Russia’s foreign policy objectives and actions in North Africa during the 18th century.