Western Civ Episode 478: Pirates!
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Sep 1, 2025 Explore the dramatic Russo-Turkish War of 1710, driven by Tsar Peter the Great's ambitions for the Black Sea. Discover the intriguing diplomatic maneuvers between Peter and Charles XII amid Ottoman complexities. Dive into the founding of New Orleans, highlighting the city's unique identity shaped by colonial rule and cultural blending. Lastly, unravel the Golden Age of Caribbean piracy, where desperation spurred lawlessness, featuring notorious figures like Blackbeard, and witness the rise and eventual decline of piracy amid evolving colonial influences.
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Poltava's Ripple Into Ottoman Conflict
- Peter the Great's confrontation with the Ottomans grew directly from his victory at Poltava and Charles XII's flight into Ottoman lands.
- That chain reaction shows how one regional military defeat reshaped great-power diplomacy in Eastern Europe.
Peter's Risky March Into Moldavia
- Peter led a 40,000-man Russian army into Moldavia hoping to join Dimitri Kantemir and secure supplies.
- The campaign collapsed under encirclement, heat, hunger, and disease, forcing a desperate situation at the Peruth River.
Catherine's Chest Bought Russia A Way Out
- Catherine accompanied Peter and sent her jewels as a bribe to the Ottoman vizier to avert disaster.
- The bribe and diplomatic caution led to the Treaty of Pruth and the Russian army's allowed withdrawal.
