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 a dispute around the straits that opened the way from Black to the Mediterranean.

The problem of straits

On the Bosporus stood Istanbul - the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Before, it was Constantinople (the Slavs called it Tsargrad). Until 1453 there was the capital of Byzantium. It was this country that became the conductor of Orthodoxy in Russia. Therefore, the Moscow (and also the St. Petersburg) rulers believed that they had the legal right to own the city, which was the main stronghold of Christianity for a millennium.

Of course, besides ideological reasons, there were also 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 noticeably behind in its development from its neighbors. Russia won several wars with this country and gained access to the Black Sea.

However, any peace concluded with Turkey was just a truce. Conflict of interest echoed even in the years when there was no war between rivals. It's about the Caucasus.

In 1818 the Russian troops began a war against the mountaineers - the indigenous inhabitants of this region. The head of the campaign was Alexei Ermolov. However, our army struggled with the mountaineers because it was not adapted to the war in the mountains. In addition, the people of the Caucasus were helped by Turkey, which sold them weapons. The flow of guns, guns and money, which went through the Ottoman Empire, allowed the mountaineers to successfully repel Russian attacks for several decades. Certainly, in St. Petersburg they knew about the Muslims' help to Muslims. Therefore, the Russo-Turkish war (1828-1829) was supposed to stop this rivalry for the Russian Empire.

The Greek question

Finally, the third cause of the conflict between the two countries was the Greek revolution. So in the historiography is called the national movement of this Balkan people. For several centuries the Greeks were under the rule of the Turks. Ethnic contradictions were supplemented by religious ones. Muslims often oppressed Christians.

In 1821, the Greek uprising started, which turned into a long-standing war for independence. Christian supported 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, a metropolitan and several archbishops were killed during the church service.

The war in Turkey hit hard on the Russian economy. 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 Russo-Turkish war (1828-1829) was inevitable. Only with the help of force could help the Greeks and end the crisis in the economy of the southern regions of the country. When the Greek war had just begun, Russia ruled Alexander I. He was not determined to fight. In this endeavor, Austrian diplomacy supported him. Therefore, before his death, Russia was limited only to symbolic actions against the Turks.

The decision of Nicholas I

However, in 1825, Alexander's younger brother Nikolai was in power. In his youth he received military education, since no one expected that he would become heir. Edit after Alexander had another brother - Constantine, but he refused the throne. By the way, this grand duke was named so in honor of the great Roman emperor, who founded Byzantium. This was a symbolic gesture of Catherine II - she wanted to put the grandson on the throne in Constantinople (Istanbul).

Nikolai's military education and habits immediately made me aware of myself. The country began to prepare for an escalation of the conflict. In addition, Nicholas wanted to lead an independent foreign policy, and not to look back at the European allies, which often stopped Alexander. The Western powers did not at all like excessive strengthening of Russia. As a rule, they tried to keep the balance of power in the region, which, of course, Nikolai did not like. 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).

Navarino battle

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

In the area of the Ionian Islands, the Russian squadron united with allied ships from France and England. Together they went to Navarino Bay, where the fleet of Turkey and Egypt was. This was done in order to force the Ottoman Empire to stop repressive policies against the Greeks and give them autonomy. The head of the Russian squadron was Rear-Admiral Login Heyden. He suggested that the Allies take the most drastic measures. The general leadership was transferred to the British admiral Edward Codrington.

The Turkish commander was given an ultimatum: to cease military operations 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 case they open fire. In the united flotilla there were dozens of battleships, frigates, brigs (altogether about 1,300 guns). The enemy ships were somewhat larger (in total they were 22,000 sailors).

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

Codrington hoped to avoid the battle and persuade Ibrahim Pasha without using weapons. However, when the Russian ship "Azov" entered the bay, it was opened fire from the Turkish battery, which was on the island of Sfakteria. 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 occupied those dispositions that were prescribed to them, according to the plan of the ally. 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 Sfaktoria). It remained to close the narrow strait, where the European ships went.

Only when the allied squadron anchored, returned fire. The fight lasted more than four hours. The biggest 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, Azov was especially distinguished. It served as Lieutenant Nakhimov and midshipman Kornilov - future heroes and symbols of the Crimean War. With the approach of night the bay was lit by numerous fires. Turks destroyed the damaged ships, so they did not get to the enemy. The Allies did not lose a single ship, although, for example, the Russian "Gangut" got fifty holes.

It is the battle in Navarinskaya Bay that is considered the prologue that marked the Russo-Turkish war of 1828-1829. (Although it started a few months later). After in Istanbul learned about the defeat, Sultan Mahmud II appealed to his subjects. He ordered all Muslims to prepare for jihad against Europeans, including Russians. Thus began the Russian-Turkish war of 1828-1829.

War on the sea

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

At this time, the Russian squadron, which participated in the Battle of Navarino, was under repair at the port of Malta. This island was the property of Great Britain. The British did not support Russia in its war against Turkey (again, the peculiarities of European diplomacy were affected). Britain 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.

It was her ships that took the first blow of the Turks in an open war. On April 21, there was a sea battle between the Egyptian corvette and the Russian battleship Ezekil. The victory was for the last. With the outbreak of the war, several fresh ships were urgently prepared in the Baltics, which went to the Mediterranean Sea for help (the straits from the Black Sea, of course, were closed). This was complicated by the Russian-Turkish war (1828-1829). The reasons for the need for reinforcements were the lack of ships to block the Dardanelles.

Blockade of the Dardanelles

This task was assigned to the fleet in the first year of the war. This was necessary in order to cut off Istanbul from the supply of food and other important resources. If the blockade was established, the Russo-Turkish war (1828-1829), the main events of which were yet to come, moved to a completely different level. Our country could take the strategic initiative into its own hands.

The Russo-Turkish War (1828-1829), the table shows it well, was conducted approximately in equal conditions. Therefore, it was urgent to acquire such a blockade advantage. Frigates and other vessels headed for the strait. The Dardanelles were blocked on November 2. Russian ships participating in the operation were based on the three nearest islands (Mavri, Tasso and Tenedos).

The main events of the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829.

May 1828	The beginning of the Dardanelles blockade
June 23, 1828	Capture of Kirs
August 9, 1828	Akhaltsikhe Battle
September 29, 1828	The seizure of Varna
May 30, 1829	The Battle of Kulevi
August 7, 1829	The capture of Adrianople
September 2, 1829	The Adrianople world

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

In Smyrna alone stood about 150 merchant ships, whose bread spoiled as useless. Until the end of hostilities, no Turkish ship could pass through the Dardanelles. Until August 1829, the blockade was led by Admiral Heiden. When the Russian soldiers entered Adrianople, the squadron was subordinated to Johann Dibich, the commander of Prussian origin. The fleet was preparing for a breakthrough through the Dardanelles. For this, only an order from St. Petersburg was needed. Russian troops won a victory for victory on land, which ensured the success of the operation. However, the order did not follow. Soon the peace was signed, and the Russo-Turkish War ended (1828-1829). The reasons for this procrastination were hidden in the fact that the European powers, as always, did not want Russia's final victory. Taking Istanbul could lead to a war with the whole West (first of all, with England).

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

Balkans

The main force of Russia in the region was the Danube Army (95 thousand people). Turkey had a contingent, which was more than one and a half times.

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

The Balkan Front

	Russia	Turkey
The forces of the parties	95 thousand	150 thousand
Losses	5 thousand	10 thousand

The first to fall was the important fortress 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 forces won the victory. Because of this, the besieged army of the enemy remained without hope for help from compatriots. Then the city was surrendered.

Campaign of 1829

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

Garrison did not expect that the army of Dibich would go so far into the Ottoman Empire. Because of the unpreparedness for confrontation, the commandant agreed to surrender the city. In Adrianople, the Russian army discovered a huge number of weapons and other important resources in order to gain a foothold in the region.

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

Meanwhile, the Albanian pasha traveled to Bulgaria with a 40,000-strong army. With his maneuver, he could cut off the army of Dibich, who was standing in Adrianople. General Kiselev, who at that time was guarding the Danube principalities, moved towards the enemy. He was the first to occupy Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Because of this, Mustafa remained with nothing and had to fight with considerable forces 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, briefly speaking, became more and more successful for Russia.

The Caucasian Front

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

The further campaign of the army of Ivan Paskevich was complicated by numerous mountain paths and hard-to-reach transitions. Finally, on July 22, she was at the walls of the fortress of Akhalkalaki. The detachment defending it consisted of only a thousand people. In addition, the fort walls and fortifications were in neglected condition. Despite all this, the garrison refused to surrender.

In response, Russian artillery began intensive artillery bombardment. The fortress fell in just three hours. Infantry under the cover of artillery quickly seized all the fortifications and the main stronghold. This was another success, which I remember the Russian-Turkish war (1828-1829). The main battles at this time occurred in the Balkans. In the Caucasus, the Russian army has fought against small detachments, overcoming natural obstacles.

On August 5, she forced the Kura. On its tributary there was an important fortress of Akhaltsikh. On the 8th, an artillery fire was opened. This was done in order to deceive the enemy's 30,000-strong army, which was nearby. So it happened. The Turks decided that Paskevich was preparing to storm the fortress.

Meanwhile, the Russian army imperceptibly approached the enemy and unexpectedly attacked. Paskevich lost 80 people dead, while the Turks left on the battlefield two thousand corpses. The remnants fled. In the future, there was no appreciable resistance in Georgia.

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

Curious is the fact that the great poet Alexander Pushkin at this time traveled around this country. He witnessed the fall of Erzerum. This episode was described by the writer in the work "Journey to Arzurum."

A few years before, Paskevich had 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.

Peace and results

When talks were already held with the Turks, in St. Petersburg they argued sharply about whether to end the war, or still reach Istanbul. Nicholas, who recently took the throne, hesitated. He did not want to go to a conflict with Austria, which opposed the strengthening of Russia.

In order to solve this problem, the emperor established a special committee. It included numerous bureaucrats who were not very competent in the issues that faced them. It was they who adopted the resolution, according to which it was decided to forget about Constantinople.

The parties to the conflict concluded peace on September 2, 1829. The document was signed in Adrianople. Russia has received many cities on the eastern coast of the Black Sea. In addition, the Danube delta passed to it. 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 the Georgian kingdoms and principalities. Also, the Ottoman Empire confirmed that it would respect autonomy for Serbia.

The same fate awaited the Danube principalities - Moldavia and Wallachia. On their territory remained Russian troops. This was necessary to carry out reforms in them. These were important results of the Russian-Turkish war of 1828-1829. Greece gained autonomy (and a year later - independence). Finally, Porta had to pay a considerable indemnity.

Straits became free for Russian merchant ships. At the same time, the treaty did not stipulate their status during the hostilities. This caused uncertainty in the future.

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

The Russian-Turkish War of 1806-1812, 1828-1829. Confirmed this trend. Everything turned upside down in 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 it, Alexander II had to make concessions in this region and engage in reforms within the state.