Russian-Turkish war (1828-1829): causes, results, main events (table)

The next Russian-Turkish war (1828–1829) was caused by several key reasons. The main one was the dispute around the straits, which opened the way from the Black to the Mediterranean Sea.

Problem straits

On the Bosphorus stood Istanbul - the capital of the Ottomanempire. Before it was Constantinople (the Slavs called it Constantinople). Until 1453 the capital of Byzantium was located here. This country became the conductor of Orthodoxy in Russia. Therefore, Moscow (and then St. Petersburg rulers) believed that they had the legal right to own the city, which had been the main stronghold of Christianity for a millennium.

Of course, besides ideological reasons, there wereand pragmatic motives. Free access to the Mediterranean could facilitate trade for our country. In addition, it would be another reason to confirm the status of one of the major European powers.

Conflict in the Caucasus

At the beginning of the 19th century, Turkey was already far behind its neighbors in its development. Russia won several wars with this country and gained access to the Black Sea.

However, any peace with Turkey was only a truce. The conflict of interests echoed even in the years when there was no war between the rivals. It is about the Caucasus.

In 1818, Russian troops began a war againstHighlanders - the indigenous people of this region. The campaign leader was Alexey Ermolov. However, our army struggled with the highlanders because it was not adapted to the war in the mountains. In addition, the residents of the Caucasus were helped by Turkey itself, which sold them weapons. The flow of guns, cannons and money that went through the Ottoman Empire allowed the highlanders to successfully repel the attacks of the Russians for several decades. Of course, in St. Petersburg they knew about helping Muslims Muslims. Therefore, the Russian-Turkish war (1828–1829) was supposed to stop this co-operation of rivals, which is detrimental to the Russian Empire.

Greek question

Finally, the third cause of conflict between the twocountries became the Greek revolution. So in historiography is called the national movement of this Balkan people. For several centuries the Greeks were ruled by the Turks. Ethnic contradictions are complemented by religious. Muslims often oppressed Christians.

In 1821, a Greek uprising began, whichturned into a long war of independence. Christians were supported by numerous European countries: Great Britain, France and Russia. The Turkish Sultan responded with mass repressions against the Greeks. For example, on the island of Crete, the metropolitan and several archbishops were killed during a church service.

The war in Turkey hurt the economyRussia. Shortly before this, the rapid growth of Odessa began. This new Black Sea port became a free economic zone, where there were no duties. In peacetime, hundreds of ships sailed here. Most of them were Greek and belonged to the Christian subjects of the Ottoman Empire.

Because of this, the Russian-Turkish war (1828–1829)was inevitable. Only with the help of force it was possible to help the Greeks and end the crisis in the economy of the southern regions of the country. When the Greek war began, Russia was ruled by Alexander I. He was not in the mood for war. In this quest he was supported by Austrian diplomacy. Therefore, until his death, Russia was limited to only symbolic actions against the Turks.

The decision of Nicholas I

However, in 1825 the younger brother was in power.Alexandra - Nikolay. In his youth, he received a military education, since no one expected him to become heir. After Alexander, another brother, Konstantin, was to rule, but he refused the throne. By the way, this great prince was named in honor of the great Roman emperor who founded Byzantium. It was a symbolic gesture of Catherine II - she wanted to put her grandson on the throne in Constantinople (Istanbul).

Nikolai’s military education and habits were immediately givenknow about yourself The country began to prepare for the escalation of the conflict. In addition, Nikolai wanted to conduct an independent foreign policy, and not look back at the European allies, who often stopped Alexander. The Western powers absolutely did not want Russia to be excessively strengthened. As a rule, they tried to maintain a balance of power in the region, which, of course, did not please Nikolay. The Russo-Turkish War (1828–1829) was to destroy this system of checks and balances. It should also be considered a separate episode of the Greek revolution and the struggle for independence (1821–1830).

Navarin battle

In 1827, the Baltic began to prepare a squadron, which was supposed to go to the southern seas. Emperor Nikolai himself held a solemn review to the departing ships in Kronstadt.

В районе Ионических островов российская эскадра allied with allied courts from France and England. Together, they traveled to the Bay of Navarino, where the fleet of Turkey and Egypt was located. This was done in order to force the Ottoman Empire to end the repressive policy against the Greeks and to give them autonomy. The head of the Russian squadron was Rear-Admiral Login Heyden. He invited the allies to take the most drastic measures. General guidance was transferred to British Admiral Edward Cordington.

The Turkish commander was given an ultimatum:stop military action against the Greeks. He (Ibrahim Pasha) left this message unanswered. Then the Russian admiral persuaded the Allies to enter the bay and start a battle against the Turks in the event that they open fire. In the combined flotilla there were dozens of battleships, frigates, brigs (about 1300 guns in total). The enemy ships had a few more (in sum, they were 22 thousand sailors).

At this time, the ships of the Turks were anchored.They were well protected, as the Navarino fortress was nearby, which could open artillery fire on the enemy fleet. The bay itself was on the west coast of the Peloponnese peninsula.

Codrington hoped to avoid the battle and persuadeIbrahim Pasha without a weapon. However, when the Russian ship "Azov" entered the bay, it was fired at from the side of the Turkish battery on the island of Sfakteriya. In addition, at the same time the Turks killed two parliamentarians from England. Despite the open fire, the Allied ships did not respond until they had taken the dispositions they had been assigned, according to the ally’s plan. The admirals wanted to completely close the Turkish fleet in the bay. This was facilitated by the fact that the bay was closed by land on three sides (the mainland and the island of Sfactory). It remained to close the narrow strait, where the European ships went.

Only when the Allied squadron anchored, wasopen fire back. The battle lasted more than four hours. The greatest contribution to the victory was made by the Russians and the British (the French admiral lost control of his ships during the battle).

In our fleet, the Azov was especially distinguished.It served as lieutenant Nakhimov and midshipman Kornilov - the future heroes and symbols of the Crimean War. At nightfall, the bay was lit by numerous fires. The Turks destroyed the wrecked ships so that they did not reach the enemy. The Allies have not lost a single ship, although, for example, the Russian Gangut received fifty holes.

It is the battle in Navarino Bay that is consideredprologue, which marked the Russian-Turkish war of 1828-1829. (although it began a few months later). After learning of the defeat in Istanbul, Sultan Mahmoud II appealed to his subjects. He gave the order to all Muslims to prepare for jihad against Europeans, including Russians. Thus began the Russian-Turkish war of 1828-1829.

War at sea

Our government has been silent for a while.This was due to the fact that at the same time the war continued with Persia, and in Petersburg no one wanted a war on two fronts. Finally, in February, a peace treaty was signed with the Iranians. On April 14, 1828, Nicholas I signed a manifesto on the war with Turkey.

В это время российская эскадра, участвовавшая в Navarin battle, was under repair in the port of Malta. This island was owned by the UK. The British did not support Russia in its war against Turkey (again, the peculiarities of European diplomacy affected). The UK has declared its neutrality. At the same time, her government favored Turkey more, not wanting to strengthen Russia. Therefore, our squadron left Malta in order to avoid unnecessary conflicts. It relocated to the island of Paros in the Aegean Sea, which in Russian sources was called the Archipelago until the 20th century.

Именно ее корабли приняли на себя первый удар Turk in open war. On April 21, a sea battle took place between the Egyptian corvette and the Russian battleship Ezikil. The victory was the last. Since the beginning of the war in the Baltic Sea, several new ships were urgently prepared, which went to the rescue to the Mediterranean Sea (the straits from the Black Sea, of course, were closed). This complicated the Russian-Turkish war (1828–1829). The reasons for the need for reinforcement were the lack of ships to block the Dardanelles.

Blockade of the dardanelles

This task was assigned to the fleet in the firstsame year of war. This was necessary in order to cut off Istanbul from the supply of food and other important resources. If the blockade had been established, the Russian-Turkish war (1828-1829), the main events of which were still ahead, would have moved to a completely different level. Our country would be able to take the strategic initiative in its own hands.

Русско-турецкая война (1828-1829), таблица хорошо it shows, was conducted about on an equal footing. Therefore, it was urgently necessary to acquire such a blockade advantage. Frigates and other ships headed for the strait. The Dardanelles were blocked on November 2. The Russian ships participating in the operation were based on the three nearest islands (Mavri, Tasso and Tenedos).

The blockade was complicated by the established winterweather (by local standards). Storms began, and a strong wind blew out. Despite this, the Russian sailors brilliantly performed all the tasks that were put before them. Istanbul was cut off from supplies coming from the Mediterranean.

There were about 150 ships in Smyrna alone.merchants whose bread spoiled as unnecessary. Before the end of hostilities, no Turkish ship could pass through the Dardanelles. Until August 1829, Admiral Heiden led the blockade. When the Russian soldiers entered Adrianople, the squadron became subordinate to Johann Dibich, a commander with a Prussian origin. The fleet was preparing to break through the Dardanelles. All that was needed was an order from St. Petersburg. Russian troops won victory after victory on land, which guaranteed the success of the operation. However, the order was not followed. Soon peace was signed, and the Russian-Turkish war ended (1828–1829). The reasons for this delay were hidden in the fact that the European powers, as always, did not want Russia’s final victory. The capture of Istanbul could lead to the beginning of a war with the whole West (first of all with England).

In 1830, all ships that fought in the Mediterranean returned to the Baltic. The exception was Emmanuel, which was donated to the Greeks, who became independent.

Balkans

The main force of Russia in the region was the Danube army (95 thousand people). Turkey had a contingent that was about one and a half times larger.

The Danube army was supposed to occupy the principality,located in the basin of this river: Moldavia, Dobrudja and Wallachia. Troops commanded Peter Wittgenstein. He went to Bessarabia. So on the mainland began the Russian-Turkish war (1828-1829). The table shows the aspect ratio in this region.

The first to fall was the important fortress of Brailov.The siege of Varna and Shumla began. While the Turkish garrisons were waiting for support, an important battle took place in Wallachia, in which the Russian units won. Because of this, the besieged army of the enemy was left without hope for help from compatriots. Then the city was surrendered.

Campaign of 1829

In the new 1829, in place of Wittgenstein wasput Johann Dibich. Before him was the task - to cross the Balkans and walk to the Turkish capital. Despite the outbreak of disease in the army, the soldiers completed their task. The first was besieged Adrianople (approached him on August 7). The reasons for the Russian-Turkish war of 1828-1829 were to control the straits, but they were already very close.

The garrison did not expect the army of Dibich to enterso far within the Ottoman Empire. Because of the lack of readiness for the confrontation, the commandant agreed to surrender the city. In Adrianople, the Russian army found a huge amount of weapons and other important resources in order to gain a foothold in the region.

This rapid success stunned everyone. Turkey agreed to negotiate, but deliberately delayed them, hoping that England or Austria would help her.

Meanwhile, Albanian Pasha went to Bulgariawith a 40-thousand army. By his maneuver, he could cut off the army of Dibich, which was stationed at Adrianople. General Kiselev, who was guarding the Danube principalities at that time, moved towards the enemy. He was the first to occupy Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Because of this, Mustafa was left with nothing and had to fight with significant forces in order to gain a foothold in Bulgaria. He did not dare to do this and retreated back to Albania. The Russian-Turkish war of 1828-1829, in short, was becoming more and more successful for Russia.

Caucasian front

In parallel with the events at sea and the Balkans, the warunfolded in the Caucasus. The Russian corps in this region was to invade Turkey from the rear. In June 1828 he managed to take the fortress of Kars. The course of the Russian-Turkish war of 1828–1829. it was also in favor of Russia.

Дальнейший поход армии Ивана Паскевича был complicated by numerous mountain paths and difficult access. Finally, on July 22, she was at the walls of the Akhalkalaki fortress. The detachment that defended it consisted of only a thousand people. In addition, the walls and fortifications of the fort were in disrepair. Despite all this, the garrison refused to surrender.

In response, Russian guns were launched.intense shelling. The fortress fell in just three hours. Infantry under the cover of artillery quickly mastered all the fortifications and the main stronghold. This was another success that the Russo-Turkish War (1828–1829) remembered. The main battles at this time took place in the Balkans. In the Caucasus, the Russian army while fighting with small units, overcoming natural obstacles.

August 5, she forced Kuru.An important fortress of Akhaltsy stood on its tributary. On the 8th, artillery fire was opened on it. This was done in order to deceive the 30-thousand enemy army standing nearby. So it happened. The Turks decided that Paskevich was preparing to storm the fortress.

Meanwhile, the Russian army quietly approachedto the enemy and unexpectedly attacked. Paskevich lost 80 people killed, while the Turks left two thousand corpses on the battlefield. The remnants fled. There was no noticeable resistance in Georgia in the future.

In Transcaucasia, the Russo-Turkish War (1828-1829), in short, ended in a complete fiasco for the Ottoman Empire. Paskevich occupied all of modern Georgia.

Curious is the fact that the great poet AlexanderPushkin at this time traveled through this country. He witnessed the fall of Erzerum. This episode was described by the writer in the book “Journey to Arzurum”.

A few years earlier, Paskevich successfully campaigned against Persia, for which he became a count. After victories over the Turks, he received the Order of St. George of the first degree.

World and results

When were negotiations with the Turks,Petersburg, arguing sharply about whether to stop the war, or still reach Istanbul. Nikolai, who most recently took the throne, hesitated. He did not want to go to the conflict with Austria, which opposed the strengthening of Russia.

Для того чтобы разрешить эту проблему, император established a special committee. It included numerous bureaucrats who were incompetent in the issues that they faced. It was they who adopted the resolution, according to which it was decided to forget about Constantinople.

Parties to the conflict made peace on September 2, 1829of the year. The signing of the document took place in Adrianople. Russia has received many cities on the east coast of the Black Sea. In addition, the Danube Delta crossed to it. The results of the Russian-Turkish war of 1828–1829 also consisted in the fact that the Port recognized the transition to Russia of several states in the Caucasus. These were Georgian kingdoms and principalities. The Ottoman Empire also confirmed that it would respect autonomy for Serbia.

Та же судьба ждала дунайские княжества – Молдавию and Wallachia. On their territory remained Russian troops. It was necessary to carry out reforms in them. These were important results of the Russo-Turkish war of 1828–1829. Greece gained autonomy (and a year later - independence). Finally, Porta had to pay a significant contribution.

The straits became free for Russian merchant ships. However, the agreement did not stipulate their status during the hostilities. This caused uncertainty in the future.

Russian-Turkish war (1828-1829), reasons, resultsand the main events of which are described in this material, did not reach its main goal. The empire still wanted to take over Constantinople, which was opposed in Europe. Despite this, our country continued its expansion in the south.

Russian-Turkish wars 1806–1812, 1828–1829confirmed this trend. Everything turned upside down after a few decades. Shortly before the death of Nicholas I, the Crimean War began, in which European countries openly supported Turkey and attacked Russia. After her, Alexander II had to make concessions in this region and engage in reforms within the state.