The origins of the Russo-Turkish War can generally be drawn back to the ascendancy of Alexander II in Russia. When Alexander II ascended to the throne in Russia, a question accompanied that transition. What was to be done with Turkey, or more commonly known as the Eastern Question? Ever since the Muslims had driven them from their capital of the Byzantium Empire, the Russians especially wanted acquire Ottoman land and “civilize” the region by instituting Christianity as the main religion. Needless to say, Alexander II took the throne with the task to dominate foreign policy, and even participate in a war if matters would lead to it.
Luckily for Alexander, in 1875, the Balkans erupted in a fury of conflict, with a chain of events that would eventually lead to war. Slavs in Bosnia and Herzegovina revolted against Turkish rule and soon they were joined by other allies. Serbia and Montenegro, seeing that their fellow Slavs were suffering in their revolt against the Turks, joined in to aid the rebellions that were already in high-gear. Soon, even Bulgaria got sucked into the revolt.
As this was all happening, Bismarck, the main figure in German politics, in an act to preserve an alliance between France and any other European powers, especially Austria or Russia, decided to establish the Three Emperors’ League in 1873. It brought together the three great conservative empires of Germany, Austria, and Russia under one alliance and one policy. Despite his efforts to benefit the country of Germany, the league soon collapsed as a result of the Austro-Russian rivalry in the Balkans that arose from the Russo-Turkish War that broke out in 1875. Thus, Bismarck’s efforts to make peace with other nations did not work so well, as the Russo-Turkish War began to flare up in the Balkans.
Before the Russo-Turkish War began in 1875, the Ottoman Empire was held together chiefly because the European powers could not think of a way to partition in amongst themselves. It was this Ottoman weakness that encouraged Serbia and Montenegro to join the Russo-Turkish War against the Turks. Furthermore, the conflict did not get any better when Russia entered the war and it even turned into a major international crisis. Upon entering this war the Russians essentially wanted to prolong their expansionist policy at the Ottoman expense and to obviously acquire more territory. They especially wanted to acquire Constantinople and the Dardanelles because throughout history, these cities were considered the most powerful and wealthy cities in the Balkans. On a smaller scale, Russian intervention also reflected the influence of the Pan-Slavic movement, which wanted to unite all of the Slavic peoples under the protection of the powerful Russia.
As the war began it was all too clear that the Ottoman Empire was far too weak to fight a war with the Russians and the other Balkan countries. It was soon forced to sue for peace and the Treaty of San Stefano, issued in March 1878, partially settled the disputed for territory between all of the countries that were involved in the war. Even though this treaty tried to be fair to all of the participants in the war, Russia got most of the spoils because it got both land and a large monetary indemnity. Thus, Russia was satisfied with this treaty, but the other European powers were not. The terms of the settlement alarmed the other great powers of the world, mostly Austria, who was afraid that Russia’s great influence in the Balkan would threaten its own Balkan provinces. The British, just like the Austrians, were alarmed at Russia’s great gains in this war and the disruption in the balance of power that now occurred because Russia acquired so much land. Furthermore, Russia now controlled the Dardanelles, which would make Russia a Mediterranean power and threaten Britain’s control of the Suez Canal. Through all of the land that Russia gained and through all of the objections posed by other countries it was obvious that something had to be done about this situation.
Even before the Treaty of San Stefano was accepted, Benjamin Disraeli, the prime minister of Britain, sent a fleet to Constantinople to establish an international conference to discuss the gains achieved through the Russo-Turkish War. The conference was later set in Berlin and main officials from Britain and Austria even forced Russian officials to be present at the conference and the provisions of the Treaty of San Stefano were discussed among the most powerful nations in the world. The resulting Congress of Berlin met in June and July of 1978 under the presidency of Bismarck and through Bismarck’s delegation peace was reached. Bismarck referred to himself as an “honest broker” and this title was fully fulfilled by him and his motives for peace.
In all, the decisions of the congress were a blow to Russia ambitions for Balkan domination. Bulgaria was reduced in size, Austria-Hungary was given Bosnia and Herzegovina, Britain received Cyprus, and France was encouraged to occupy Tunisia. In all, these territories were compensation for the territories that Russia got to keep and Germany, being the universal mediator in this conference asked for no land in return. In this way the Russo-Turkish war was settled and through the Treaty of San Stefano, which was not immensely popular, and through The Congress of Berlin, World War was avoided and Europe continued to function in rather peace.
Here are some very good links that explain the essentials about the Russo-Turkish War, The Treaty of San Stefano, and The Congress of Berlin. Please read them!!!
What really kept the Russo-Turkish war from escalating was the European’s desire to create a balance of power. After Napoleon was finally defeated, the great nations strove to keep a power balance between the strongest countries, so no nation would be stronger than the other. As Nazar said, this concept was what kept the Ottoman Empire intact; it couldn’t be decided how to divide the land evenly. In the Russo-Turkish War, Russia stepped in between the Ottomans and the Balkan countries it was controlling and acted as their traditional protector. Russia promised several things once the war was over, including to not create a large Bulgaria. Russia did, however, did what it promised not to do in the treaty of San Stefano and dominated the newly created big Bulgaria.
The British and Austrians were outraged by this, since Russia’s control in the Balkan’s threatened their own political interests. Finally, Bismarck stepped in, wishing to reduce Russia’s power and Britain and Austria’s hostilities. After the Congress of Berlin, Russia’s power was limited and the Ottoman Empire was weakened severely. Many of the Balkan nations became independent. Thus peace was kept, thanks to Bismarck’s desire, which he shared with many others, to keep peace and balance between the European powers.
This link talks about most of what happened during this time through Bismarck's point of view. The part about the Russo-Turkish War is under "Crisis in the Balkans"
The Russo- Turkish war was a battle between The Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire. It was caused by an outbreak of Balkan nationalism along with Russia wanting to take back its territorial losses from the Crimean War. Russia also wanted to re-establish themselves on the Black Sea and free the Balkans from the Ottoman Empire. In the end Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania gained independance from the Ottoman empire and the Principality of Bulgaria was finally proclaimed after nearly five centuries of Ottoman domination. Also Austria-Hungary gained Bosnia and Herzegovina, the U.K gained Cyprus, and Russia annexed Southern Bessarabia and the Kars region. This war didnt not influence World War One because it did not involve all of the countries that had fought World War One. In other words, things were settled before things became it world-wide problem or war. Also, things were settled in the Congress of Berlin.
The ultimate cause of this war was the Russian ambitions to gain access to the Black Sea. They were seeking an outlet. This in time grew to them seeking control of the balkan peninsula, capturing the straits of Dardanelles and Bosporus, and to gain trade routes. Another cause, as mentioned was an increase in nationalism in the Balkans. The deterioration of the Ottoman Empire was key in independance of the Balkan Territiories. This issue was prevalent earlier in Europe's history. Those seeking independence usually had a spark brought on by some sort of unifying principle. The Balkan territories had come together with feelings of nationalism which meant bad things for the Ottomans. Serbia and Montenegro were given independence as a result of the war. They now posed a new threat to the Turks.
The origins of the Russo-Turkish War can generally be drawn back to the ascendancy of Alexander II in Russia. When Alexander II ascended to the throne in Russia, a question accompanied that transition. What was to be done with Turkey, or more commonly known as the Eastern Question? Ever since the Muslims had driven them from their capital of the Byzantium Empire, the Russians especially wanted acquire Ottoman land and “civilize” the region by instituting Christianity as the main religion. Needless to say, Alexander II took the throne with the task to dominate foreign policy, and even participate in a war if matters would lead to it.
ReplyDeleteLuckily for Alexander, in 1875, the Balkans erupted in a fury of conflict, with a chain of events that would eventually lead to war. Slavs in Bosnia and Herzegovina revolted against Turkish rule and soon they were joined by other allies. Serbia and Montenegro, seeing that their fellow Slavs were suffering in their revolt against the Turks, joined in to aid the rebellions that were already in high-gear. Soon, even Bulgaria got sucked into the revolt.
As this was all happening, Bismarck, the main figure in German politics, in an act to preserve an alliance between France and any other European powers, especially Austria or Russia, decided to establish the Three Emperors’ League in 1873. It brought together the three great conservative empires of Germany, Austria, and Russia under one alliance and one policy. Despite his efforts to benefit the country of Germany, the league soon collapsed as a result of the Austro-Russian rivalry in the Balkans that arose from the Russo-Turkish War that broke out in 1875. Thus, Bismarck’s efforts to make peace with other nations did not work so well, as the Russo-Turkish War began to flare up in the Balkans.
Before the Russo-Turkish War began in 1875, the Ottoman Empire was held together chiefly because the European powers could not think of a way to partition in amongst themselves. It was this Ottoman weakness that encouraged Serbia and Montenegro to join the Russo-Turkish War against the Turks. Furthermore, the conflict did not get any better when Russia entered the war and it even turned into a major international crisis. Upon entering this war the Russians essentially wanted to prolong their expansionist policy at the Ottoman expense and to obviously acquire more territory. They especially wanted to acquire Constantinople and the Dardanelles because throughout history, these cities were considered the most powerful and wealthy cities in the Balkans. On a smaller scale, Russian intervention also reflected the influence of the Pan-Slavic movement, which wanted to unite all of the Slavic peoples under the protection of the powerful Russia.
As the war began it was all too clear that the Ottoman Empire was far too weak to fight a war with the Russians and the other Balkan countries. It was soon forced to sue for peace and the Treaty of San Stefano, issued in March 1878, partially settled the disputed for territory between all of the countries that were involved in the war. Even though this treaty tried to be fair to all of the participants in the war, Russia got most of the spoils because it got both land and a large monetary indemnity. Thus, Russia was satisfied with this treaty, but the other European powers were not. The terms of the settlement alarmed the other great powers of the world, mostly Austria, who was afraid that Russia’s great influence in the Balkan would threaten its own Balkan provinces. The British, just like the Austrians, were alarmed at Russia’s great gains in this war and the disruption in the balance of power that now occurred because Russia acquired so much land. Furthermore, Russia now controlled the Dardanelles, which would make Russia a Mediterranean power and threaten Britain’s control of the Suez Canal. Through all of the land that Russia gained and through all of the objections posed by other countries it was obvious that something had to be done about this situation.
ReplyDeleteEven before the Treaty of San Stefano was accepted, Benjamin Disraeli, the prime minister of Britain, sent a fleet to Constantinople to establish an international conference to discuss the gains achieved through the Russo-Turkish War. The conference was later set in Berlin and main officials from Britain and Austria even forced Russian officials to be present at the conference and the provisions of the Treaty of San Stefano were discussed among the most powerful nations in the world. The resulting Congress of Berlin met in June and July of 1978 under the presidency of Bismarck and through Bismarck’s delegation peace was reached. Bismarck referred to himself as an “honest broker” and this title was fully fulfilled by him and his motives for peace.
In all, the decisions of the congress were a blow to Russia ambitions for Balkan domination. Bulgaria was reduced in size, Austria-Hungary was given Bosnia and Herzegovina, Britain received Cyprus, and France was encouraged to occupy Tunisia. In all, these territories were compensation for the territories that Russia got to keep and Germany, being the universal mediator in this conference asked for no land in return. In this way the Russo-Turkish war was settled and through the Treaty of San Stefano, which was not immensely popular, and through The Congress of Berlin, World War was avoided and Europe continued to function in rather peace.
Here are some very good links that explain the essentials about the Russo-Turkish War, The Treaty of San Stefano, and The Congress of Berlin. Please read them!!!
ReplyDeleteRusso-Turkish War: http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0842746.html
Treaty of San Stefano: http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0843532.html
Congress of Berlin: http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0807198.html
What really kept the Russo-Turkish war from escalating was the European’s desire to create a balance of power. After Napoleon was finally defeated, the great nations strove to keep a power balance between the strongest countries, so no nation would be stronger than the other. As Nazar said, this concept was what kept the Ottoman Empire intact; it couldn’t be decided how to divide the land evenly. In the Russo-Turkish War, Russia stepped in between the Ottomans and the Balkan countries it was controlling and acted as their traditional protector. Russia promised several things once the war was over, including to not create a large Bulgaria. Russia did, however, did what it promised not to do in the treaty of San Stefano and dominated the newly created big Bulgaria.
ReplyDeleteThe British and Austrians were outraged by this, since Russia’s control in the Balkan’s threatened their own political interests. Finally, Bismarck stepped in, wishing to reduce Russia’s power and Britain and Austria’s hostilities. After the Congress of Berlin, Russia’s power was limited and the Ottoman Empire was weakened severely. Many of the Balkan nations became independent. Thus peace was kept, thanks to Bismarck’s desire, which he shared with many others, to keep peace and balance between the European powers.
This link talks about most of what happened during this time through Bismarck's point of view. The part about the Russo-Turkish War is under "Crisis in the Balkans"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.historyhome.co.uk/europe/bismarck.htm
The Russo- Turkish war was a battle between The Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire. It was caused by an outbreak of Balkan nationalism along with Russia wanting to take back its territorial losses from the Crimean War. Russia also wanted to re-establish themselves on the Black Sea and free the Balkans from the Ottoman Empire.
ReplyDeleteIn the end Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania gained independance from the Ottoman empire and the Principality of Bulgaria was finally proclaimed after nearly five centuries of Ottoman domination. Also Austria-Hungary gained Bosnia and Herzegovina, the U.K gained Cyprus, and Russia annexed Southern Bessarabia and the Kars region.
This war didnt not influence World War One because it did not involve all of the countries that had fought World War One. In other words, things were settled before things became it world-wide problem or war. Also, things were settled in the Congress of Berlin.
http://www.xenophon-mil.org/milhist/modern/russoturk.htm
ReplyDeleteThats a background layout.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfDA0dp3wxA
Thats an overview video.
http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/166605/russo-turkish-war-campaign-game
Some sort of game I think.
The ultimate cause of this war was the Russian ambitions to gain access to the Black Sea. They were seeking an outlet. This in time grew to them seeking control of the balkan peninsula, capturing the straits of Dardanelles and Bosporus, and to gain trade routes. Another cause, as mentioned was an increase in nationalism in the Balkans. The deterioration of the Ottoman Empire was key in independance of the Balkan Territiories. This issue was prevalent earlier in Europe's history. Those seeking independence usually had a spark brought on by some sort of unifying principle. The Balkan territories had come together with feelings of nationalism which meant bad things for the Ottomans. Serbia and Montenegro were given independence as a result of the war. They now posed a new threat to the Turks.
ReplyDelete