Russo-Turkish wars

The Russo-Turkish wars were a long series of twelve major conflicts. They began in 1568 and continued until 1918. This makes them one of the longest series of wars in European history. Most of these wars resulted in losses for the Ottoman Empire. During this era, the Ottoman Empire entered a period of stagnation and decline. In contrast, the Russian Empire grew into a significant European power. This rise followed modernization efforts led by Peter the Great in the early 18th century.

Early conflicts often focused on controlling specific regions and waterways. In 1569, Ottoman Sultan Selim II sent a military expedition to the Volga River. The goal was to push Russian influence out of the lower Volga. This mission ended in disaster for the Ottoman army. Many soldiers perished in the steppes. Additionally, an Ottoman fleet was wrecked by a storm in the Sea of Azov. A peace treaty eventually cemented Russian rule on the Volga.

Control over Ukraine became a major cause of fighting later on. In the late 1600s, the Ottoman Empire expanded into right-bank Ukraine. They supported a leader named Petro Doroshenko. However, many Ukrainian Cossacks disapproved of his pro-Ottoman policies. They instead elected Ivan Samoilovich as the Hetman of all Ukraine in 1674. Russian troops captured Chigirin in 1676 and overthrew Doroshenko. After more fighting, the Treaty of Bakhchisarai was signed in 1681. This treaty established a new border on the Dnieper River.

Peter the Great sought to expand Russian access to the sea. In 1696, his troops successfully captured the city of Azov.

This gave Russia direct access to the Sea of Azov. However, the Prut campaign in 1710 was a failure for Russia. The Russian army was surrounded by a larger Turkish-Tatar force. Peter the Great was forced to sign an unfavorable peace treaty. This agreement required Russia to return Azov to the Ottoman Empire. Later, Russia and the Ottoman Empire both conquered parts of Safavid Iran. These gains were confirmed by the Treaty of Constantinople in 1724.

Russia saw significant military success during the reign of Catherine the Great. A major turning point occurred during the war of 1768–1774. In 1771, the Russian fleet destroyed the Ottoman Navy at the Battle of Chesma.

Following this, the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca was signed in 1774. This treaty granted independence to the Crimean Khanate. In reality, the Khanate became dependent on Russia. Russia also received 4.5 million rubles and key seaports on the Black Sea. By 1783, Russia officially annexed the Crimean Khanate.

Further victories occurred during the late 18th century. The Russian army, led by Alexander Suvorov, won major battles like the Battle of Rymnik.

Suvorov also captured the city of Izmail. Meanwhile, the Russian Black Sea Fleet seized control of the sea. Admiral Ushakov led the fleet to several defeats of the Turkish Navy. These successes led to the Treaty of Jassy in 1792. This treaty established the Dniester River as the new frontier in Europe.

In the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire struggled with internal issues. A group called the Janissaries often blocked military and financial reforms. These soldiers even staged a coup against Sultan Selim III. It was not until the 1830s that Mahmud II successfully destroyed the Janissaries. The wars finally ended due to the collapse of both empires. World War I caused the Russian Empire to fall in 1917. The Ottoman Empire was partitioned between 1918 and 1922. The Russian Empire was succeeded by the Soviet Union in 1922. The Ottoman Empire was succeeded by the Republic of Turkey in 1923.