The Eastern Question And The Russian Turkish War 1877 1878

The 19th century was a pivotal period in European history, witnessing numerous conflicts that reshaped geopolitical boundaries. Among these conflicts, the Russian Turkish War of 1877-1878 holds a significant place due to its impact on the Eastern Question. This article delves into the intricacies of this historical event and explores its consequences on Europe and the world.

The Eastern Question: Understanding the Background

Before delving into the Russian Turkish War, it's crucial to grasp the concept of the Eastern Question. The term refers to the diplomatic and political issues arising from the crumbling Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. As this mighty empire weakened, various European powers vied for influence and territorial gains in the region, leading to a complex and volatile situation.

The Causes of the Russian Turkish War

The Russian Turkish War of 1877-1878 was primarily fueled by multiple factors. One key cause was Russia's desire to expand its influence and acquire territories with large Slavic populations. The treatment of Orthodox Christians under Ottoman rule also played a significant role, as Russia championed itself as the protector of fellow Orthodox believers.

The Eastern Question and the Russian-Turkish War (1877-1878)

by Sussan Babaie(Kindle Edition)

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Add to this the strategic importance of controlling the Black Sea straits and the potential threat to Russia's access to warmer ports, and a recipe for conflict emerges. The tensions finally reached a tipping point in 1877, leading to the outbreak of war.

The Course of the War

The Russian Turkish War witnessed several notable events and military engagements. The Russian forces, under the leadership of General Mikhail Skobelev, made significant advances and managed to besiege the key Ottoman stronghold of Pleven. The battle for Pleven became one of the defining moments of the conflict, with the Ottomans resisting fiercely before surrendering after months of intense fighting.

Another remarkable aspect of the war was the participation of volunteers from various countries, including famous authors and intellectuals. Notably, Leo Tolstoy served as a non-combatant medical volunteer, documenting the horrors of war and its impact on humanity.

The Treaty of San Stefano and Its Consequences

The Russian victories paved the way for the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano in 1878. This treaty imposed significant changes on the Ottoman Empire, granting autonomy to several regions and recognizing the independence of Bulgaria. However, the terms of the treaty were viewed as excessively harsh by other European powers, leading to the Congress of Berlin.

The Congress of Berlin and its Aftermath

The Congress of Berlin, held in 1878, aimed to revise the terms of the Treaty of San Stefano. Led by Otto von Bismarck, the conference sought to balance the powers in the region and avoid potential conflicts. The resulting Treaty of Berlin modified some provisions of the previous treaty, further reshaping the political landscape in Europe.

The consequences of the Russian Turkish War and the subsequent Congress of Berlin were manifold. The Balkans witnessed significant territorial changes, with new nations emerging and others gaining more autonomy. The decline of the Ottoman Empire continued, marking a turning point in its centuries-old dominance in the region.

Legacy and Significance

The Russian Turkish War of 1877-1878 had a profound impact on European affairs. It fueled nationalist movements and heightened tensions between major powers in the quest for control over the Balkans. It also set the stage for future conflicts and rivalries, eventually leading to the outbreak of World War I.

Furthermore, the war highlighted the changing dynamics of power within Europe, with emerging nations seeking independence and established empires striving to maintain their influence. It shaped the modern history of Eastern Europe and contributed to the formation of new states.

The Russian Turkish War of 1877-1878 remains a crucial part of European history, with lasting consequences on the Eastern Question. As one conflict in a series of clashes during the 19th century, it showcases the intricate web of alliances, territorial ambitions, and diplomatic maneuverings that defined the era.

By examining the causes, course, and aftermath of this war, we gain a deeper understanding of the European geopolitical landscape and the ongoing struggle for dominance in the Eastern Question. It serves as a reminder that historical conflicts shape the present and serve as valuable lessons for the future.

The Eastern Question and the Russian-Turkish War (1877-1878)

by Sussan Babaie(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1008 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	8 pages

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“The Eastern Question and the Russo-Turkish War” is an article about the Russo-Turkish War that was originally published in 1877. The article describes the history of the late 19th century conflict that pitted the Russian Empire against the Turkish Ottoman Empire.

In the early medieval era, Turkic-speaking people from Central Asia began to arrive in the Middle East. Many of them were employed by Muslim Arab rulers in the region as soldiers. The Turks had a reputation for skill as horsemen.

Eventually some Turks in the Middle East, who had now become Muslim, established states of their own in the region. The Seljuk Turks ruled much of modern-day Turkey other areas of the Middle East in the 11th and 12th centuries.

In the 14th century a Turkish man named Osman I founded a kingdom in what is now western Turkey. He is considered the founder of the Ottoman Turkish Empire. In the centuries that followed, the Ottoman Turks extended their empire into the Middle East and southeastern Europe.

Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine, or Eastern Roman, empire, fell to the Turks in 1453. Ottoman expansion continued into the 15th and 16th century, with the Turks taking control over much of the former Byzantine Empire in Greece and the Balkans. The Turks extended their rule into central Europe, taking control of Hungary, and attacking Vienna in Austria.

But by the late 16th century, the Ottomans began to reach the limits of their expansion. They were defeated by a European coalition in the naval Battle of Lepanto in 1571. Almost 100 years later, the Turkish defeat in the siege of Vienna in 1683 marked the end of the Ottomans as a major expansionist power in Europe.

By the 18th century, the Ottoman’s European empire was coming under pressure from European powers, especially by Russia. Russia saw itself as the protector of the Christian population of the Ottoman Empire. The Orthodox Church of Russia traced its heritage to the Byzantine Church, and many of the Christians in the Ottoman Empire also belonged to Eastern Orthodox churches.

Western European powers, like Britain and France, however, saw Russia as a greater threat than the Turkish Empire. The Ottoman Empire was clearly weak and declining, whereas Russian power was growing, which frightened the western European nations.

So the Western powers supported the Turks in their wars against Russia. In the Crimean War, the British and French joined the Turks in defeating Russia. In the 1877-1878 Russo-Turkish War, Russia led a coalition of Christians in the Ottoman Empire against the Turks. Russian victory gave the Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia their independence from the Ottomans.

But the intervention of Western powers prevented the Russians from taking Constantinople, which remained under Turkish control.