Russian Crimea - victory in the confrontation with Porto
April 8 is a significant date in stories Russia. In 1783, on that day, Catherine II signed a manifesto on the inclusion of the Crimea into the Russian Empire. The text of the famous manifesto has been preserved to this day, the historical document has been published and is available for viewing by everyone. Many articles and publications expressing the most varied points of view are devoted to the annexation of Crimea.
Relations between Turkey and the Russian Empire were never friendly. The interests of Russia in the Caucasus, in the Black Sea region, and also on the Crimean peninsula always contradicted the interests of the Ottoman Empire, which the European powers used successfully. Both states claimed the said territories and considered their rights to them lawful and fair. The Turks proceeded from the fact that the overwhelming majority of the population of the Crimea belonged to Muslims, and the nobility openly felt to cooperate with the Porte. The disputed territories were necessary and Russia. Especially actively used the problems of Russian-Turkish relations Great Britain, Poland, France. The 1768-1774 wars, as well as 1787-1792, approved the advantage of Russia and allowed to consolidate, finally, the territory of Crimea, as well as Taman and Kuban lands, to the empire.
According to the results of the first Russian-Turkish war, Crimea gained formal independence, although in fact it obeyed the will of the Russian crown. Turkey’s attempts to extend its influence in the region, supported by European states, led to new clashes and the declaration of disputed territories subject to Russia. The Russian army during these years was at the peak of its combat capability. The actions of Bagration, Suvorov, Potemkin, Rumyantsev were a model of military art, so the empress decided the long overdue question of the southern borders, relying on the military power of the state. In the international arena, each of the opposing states gave its weighty arguments. The Turkish Sultan was outraged by the regular violation by the Russian authorities of the agreement reached, Catherine II pointed out that peace and security, in the name of which a peace treaty was concluded, were never achieved.
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of the annexation of Crimea to Russia, it is enough just to recall the desire of Russian princes, tsars and emperors to gain a foothold in the Black Sea. The inclusion of the territory in the empire meant a constant not only commercial, but also military presence in the region, as well as the development of the sea fleet. Especially unpleasant was the idea that the Russian Empire had a strong Black Sea Fleet for Europeans. They did their best to push the Turkish authorities to an open confrontation, which they were completely successful. The importance of integrating Crimea into the Russian state was also explained by the fact that after the publication of the manifesto, the borders were protected from constant invasions. Even in the civilized 18th century, the number of Russians stolen through the Crimean lands amounted to about two hundred thousand people. The issue of protecting their subjects was especially acute for the empress. Interestingly, on February 13, 1784, the Porta officially recognized the Russian citizenship of the Kuban and Crimea, although attempts to return the former possessions did not stop for a long time.
The independence of the Crimea as well, however, and the protectorate over it could not resolve the acute issues in relations with Porto. Even recognizing the sovereignty of the state, after the first Russian-Turkish war, the Sultan continued to prepare for a new confrontation, as well as to attempt to establish the Turkish government in the Crimea. The sovereignty of the Crimea was obtained under the Treaty of Kuchuk-Kaynardzhiyskogo, but in fact these lands were not independent. Russia also received the right to free passage through the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus, but for a full-fledged presence on the Black Sea, it was necessary to have a sufficient number of sea fortresses.
At the head of the Khanate was put fourth Devlet Giray. Already in 1776, military forces under the command of Lieutenant-General Prozorovsky were being introduced into the territory of an independent state. Russian troops are strengthening in Perekop. Hiding behind the need to seize the Russian property left in 1774, Catherine begins an open intervention in the south. At this time on the Taman Peninsula, the puppet Khan Shangin Giray is becoming stronger. 17 December of the same year to the forces of Prozorovsky moves Suvorov’s corps, which is opposed by the troops of Divlet-Girey, pleasing the Ottoman Empire.
It should be said that part of the Crimean aristocracy was interested in Turkish citizenship, however, according to Rumyantsev, the society was mainly a cause of the Russian Empire. There were no serious clashes on the territory of the state, local feudal lords soon joined Shangin-Giray, and Divlet-Girey fled with the Turkish troops to the Ottoman Empire. Shangin-Girey was elected a Crimean Khan, and Russia's influence became decisive in the region. However, the formal insecurity of the Crimea and the instability of power gave rise to Turkey to re-gather forces to fight for hegemony. The environment of the Empress perfectly understood the necessity of including the Crimea and adjacent territories into the state and arranging its borders with powerful and impregnable fortresses.
At the end of November 1777, Suvorov was appointed commander of the Kuban Corps and makes a detailed topographical description of the entrusted terrain, and also significantly strengthens the actual border with Turkey. Already in March, Suvorov was appointed commander not only of the Kuban, but also of the entire Crimea. A talented commander is taking a number of measures to promote the integration of southern territories into Russia, as well as the protection of new borders from invasion. He singled out four districts and equipped the coastal line with posts, placing Russian garrisons and weapons on them. A special order to the commanders and the rank and file was assigned to establish and strengthen friendly relations with the local population, which greatly disposed of the inhabitants.
However, the Turkish ships were still near the Bay of Akhtiar and were a serious threat. Suvorov set about building posts and forbade the Turks to take fresh water from the local river Belbek, as a result the enemy squadron was forced to withdraw to Sinop. The resettlement of Crimean Christians to the coast of the Azov Sea, as well as to the mouth of the Don, was no less effective, but such a measure aroused the indignation of Muslim nobility. Soon the number of Christians resettled in this area reached thirty thousand people.
The events held by Suvorov significantly weakened the opposition authorities in Crimea, and also allowed Catherine to finally extend her power to the newly acquired territories by issuing the Supreme Letter of May 21 from 1779. In the middle of the summer, 1779, Gassan-Gaza-Pasha, attempted to land a landing party, but Suvorov’s decisive behavior, as well as maneuvers under the leadership of Prince Bagration, thwarted the plans of the Turkish pasha.
The Turkish sultan did not abandon the attempt to return the Crimean Khanate and the lost territories under a peace treaty. In the autumn of 1781, with the assistance of the local nobility of the Turks, led by the brother of the current Khan Batyr-Giray, an uprising was raised, which the Russian troops quickly suppressed. Soon the rebellion was repeated, and the Russian protege Shagin-Girey fled to Kerch. Instead, the puppet Turkish khan Mahmud-Giray was proclaimed the Crimean Khan. The new ruler was not in power for long, he soon fell into Russian captivity, and at the head of the Khanate, Shagin-Girey again rose. However, fearing new revolts, conspiracies and coups, the protégé organized numerous executions and reprisals, which provoked even greater discontent. In February, 1783 of the year, on the urgent recommendation of Catherine II, Shagin-Giray abdicated the throne, and on April 8, Crimea passed under the authority of the Empress.
Russian troops under the leadership of Suvorov and Potemkin settled on the territory of Taman and Kuban, and the units of Count de Balmain occupied the Crimea. Azov squadron Klokacheva covered the army from the sea. At the beginning of 1784, on the orders of Catherine, a magnificent city was founded, later called Sevastopol. Since May, the skilled diplomat Kutuzov has been working in Crimea 1783, it was he who was able to resolve the most acute foreign policy issues with the border states.
In a solemn ceremony on the flat top of the mountain called Ak-Kaya, Count Potemkin took an oath of allegiance from the Crimean nobility. After the high dignitaries and the elite, representatives of other sections of the local community took the oath. Crimea ceased to exist as an independent state and was integrated into the powerful empire.
In August 1773 of the year, a talented manager General Igelstrom was appointed to the position of the head of the Crimea. Catherine II, as well as the commander-in-chief Potemkin, demanded that the friendly and respectful treatment of the local population from those present in the territory of the newly formed military empire. The government of the Tauride region included almost all of the former nobility, which contributed to the pacification of the social strata. Opponents of the rule of the Russian Empire fled to Turkey, therefore, a strong rejection of the new government, orders and structure did not arise.
22 February 1784, the Crimean population, taking into account belonging to a certain class, were given all the rights and assigned all the duties that were present in the imperial population. Suvorov left Crimea in April 1784 of the year and was generously rewarded for his services to the state. Russian prisoners who were on the territory of the Khanate were released and returned to their homeland, and property that previously belonged to the khan was attached to the state treasury. For most of the noble Tatar feudal lords, their possessions were preserved, in addition, they were given Russian titles. Cities and ports were declared open, foreign citizens could arrive in them, and settle as permanent residents, as well as receive Russian citizenship.
After the adoption of the Crimea as part of the empire and the introduction of Russian laws on its territory, the region began to rise economically. Thanks to the abolition of domestic trade duties, trade turnover has increased sharply. Vast fertile lands attracted enterprising people, and the flow of specialists and investments directed by the state contributed to the formation of garden plantations, agricultural and industrial enterprises in the Crimea. With 1785, the Crimean ports were exempt from trade duties for five years, which was an additional factor for attracting foreign capital to the developing region.
The development of the Crimea, the Taman Peninsula and the Kuban Catherine II and the subsequent emperors of the Russian state paid special attention. Soon the region, whose population had previously been predominantly engaged in cattle breeding, became a flourishing and rich region.
Relations between Turkey and the Russian Empire were never friendly. The interests of Russia in the Caucasus, in the Black Sea region, and also on the Crimean peninsula always contradicted the interests of the Ottoman Empire, which the European powers used successfully. Both states claimed the said territories and considered their rights to them lawful and fair. The Turks proceeded from the fact that the overwhelming majority of the population of the Crimea belonged to Muslims, and the nobility openly felt to cooperate with the Porte. The disputed territories were necessary and Russia. Especially actively used the problems of Russian-Turkish relations Great Britain, Poland, France. The 1768-1774 wars, as well as 1787-1792, approved the advantage of Russia and allowed to consolidate, finally, the territory of Crimea, as well as Taman and Kuban lands, to the empire.
Portrait of Catherine II Antropov Alexey Petrovich 1766 year
According to the results of the first Russian-Turkish war, Crimea gained formal independence, although in fact it obeyed the will of the Russian crown. Turkey’s attempts to extend its influence in the region, supported by European states, led to new clashes and the declaration of disputed territories subject to Russia. The Russian army during these years was at the peak of its combat capability. The actions of Bagration, Suvorov, Potemkin, Rumyantsev were a model of military art, so the empress decided the long overdue question of the southern borders, relying on the military power of the state. In the international arena, each of the opposing states gave its weighty arguments. The Turkish Sultan was outraged by the regular violation by the Russian authorities of the agreement reached, Catherine II pointed out that peace and security, in the name of which a peace treaty was concluded, were never achieved.
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of the annexation of Crimea to Russia, it is enough just to recall the desire of Russian princes, tsars and emperors to gain a foothold in the Black Sea. The inclusion of the territory in the empire meant a constant not only commercial, but also military presence in the region, as well as the development of the sea fleet. Especially unpleasant was the idea that the Russian Empire had a strong Black Sea Fleet for Europeans. They did their best to push the Turkish authorities to an open confrontation, which they were completely successful. The importance of integrating Crimea into the Russian state was also explained by the fact that after the publication of the manifesto, the borders were protected from constant invasions. Even in the civilized 18th century, the number of Russians stolen through the Crimean lands amounted to about two hundred thousand people. The issue of protecting their subjects was especially acute for the empress. Interestingly, on February 13, 1784, the Porta officially recognized the Russian citizenship of the Kuban and Crimea, although attempts to return the former possessions did not stop for a long time.
The independence of the Crimea as well, however, and the protectorate over it could not resolve the acute issues in relations with Porto. Even recognizing the sovereignty of the state, after the first Russian-Turkish war, the Sultan continued to prepare for a new confrontation, as well as to attempt to establish the Turkish government in the Crimea. The sovereignty of the Crimea was obtained under the Treaty of Kuchuk-Kaynardzhiyskogo, but in fact these lands were not independent. Russia also received the right to free passage through the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus, but for a full-fledged presence on the Black Sea, it was necessary to have a sufficient number of sea fortresses.
At the head of the Khanate was put fourth Devlet Giray. Already in 1776, military forces under the command of Lieutenant-General Prozorovsky were being introduced into the territory of an independent state. Russian troops are strengthening in Perekop. Hiding behind the need to seize the Russian property left in 1774, Catherine begins an open intervention in the south. At this time on the Taman Peninsula, the puppet Khan Shangin Giray is becoming stronger. 17 December of the same year to the forces of Prozorovsky moves Suvorov’s corps, which is opposed by the troops of Divlet-Girey, pleasing the Ottoman Empire.
It should be said that part of the Crimean aristocracy was interested in Turkish citizenship, however, according to Rumyantsev, the society was mainly a cause of the Russian Empire. There were no serious clashes on the territory of the state, local feudal lords soon joined Shangin-Giray, and Divlet-Girey fled with the Turkish troops to the Ottoman Empire. Shangin-Girey was elected a Crimean Khan, and Russia's influence became decisive in the region. However, the formal insecurity of the Crimea and the instability of power gave rise to Turkey to re-gather forces to fight for hegemony. The environment of the Empress perfectly understood the necessity of including the Crimea and adjacent territories into the state and arranging its borders with powerful and impregnable fortresses.
At the end of November 1777, Suvorov was appointed commander of the Kuban Corps and makes a detailed topographical description of the entrusted terrain, and also significantly strengthens the actual border with Turkey. Already in March, Suvorov was appointed commander not only of the Kuban, but also of the entire Crimea. A talented commander is taking a number of measures to promote the integration of southern territories into Russia, as well as the protection of new borders from invasion. He singled out four districts and equipped the coastal line with posts, placing Russian garrisons and weapons on them. A special order to the commanders and the rank and file was assigned to establish and strengthen friendly relations with the local population, which greatly disposed of the inhabitants.
However, the Turkish ships were still near the Bay of Akhtiar and were a serious threat. Suvorov set about building posts and forbade the Turks to take fresh water from the local river Belbek, as a result the enemy squadron was forced to withdraw to Sinop. The resettlement of Crimean Christians to the coast of the Azov Sea, as well as to the mouth of the Don, was no less effective, but such a measure aroused the indignation of Muslim nobility. Soon the number of Christians resettled in this area reached thirty thousand people.
The events held by Suvorov significantly weakened the opposition authorities in Crimea, and also allowed Catherine to finally extend her power to the newly acquired territories by issuing the Supreme Letter of May 21 from 1779. In the middle of the summer, 1779, Gassan-Gaza-Pasha, attempted to land a landing party, but Suvorov’s decisive behavior, as well as maneuvers under the leadership of Prince Bagration, thwarted the plans of the Turkish pasha.
The Turkish sultan did not abandon the attempt to return the Crimean Khanate and the lost territories under a peace treaty. In the autumn of 1781, with the assistance of the local nobility of the Turks, led by the brother of the current Khan Batyr-Giray, an uprising was raised, which the Russian troops quickly suppressed. Soon the rebellion was repeated, and the Russian protege Shagin-Girey fled to Kerch. Instead, the puppet Turkish khan Mahmud-Giray was proclaimed the Crimean Khan. The new ruler was not in power for long, he soon fell into Russian captivity, and at the head of the Khanate, Shagin-Girey again rose. However, fearing new revolts, conspiracies and coups, the protégé organized numerous executions and reprisals, which provoked even greater discontent. In February, 1783 of the year, on the urgent recommendation of Catherine II, Shagin-Giray abdicated the throne, and on April 8, Crimea passed under the authority of the Empress.
Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov
Russian troops under the leadership of Suvorov and Potemkin settled on the territory of Taman and Kuban, and the units of Count de Balmain occupied the Crimea. Azov squadron Klokacheva covered the army from the sea. At the beginning of 1784, on the orders of Catherine, a magnificent city was founded, later called Sevastopol. Since May, the skilled diplomat Kutuzov has been working in Crimea 1783, it was he who was able to resolve the most acute foreign policy issues with the border states.
In a solemn ceremony on the flat top of the mountain called Ak-Kaya, Count Potemkin took an oath of allegiance from the Crimean nobility. After the high dignitaries and the elite, representatives of other sections of the local community took the oath. Crimea ceased to exist as an independent state and was integrated into the powerful empire.
Prince Grigory Potemkin-Tavrichesky
In August 1773 of the year, a talented manager General Igelstrom was appointed to the position of the head of the Crimea. Catherine II, as well as the commander-in-chief Potemkin, demanded that the friendly and respectful treatment of the local population from those present in the territory of the newly formed military empire. The government of the Tauride region included almost all of the former nobility, which contributed to the pacification of the social strata. Opponents of the rule of the Russian Empire fled to Turkey, therefore, a strong rejection of the new government, orders and structure did not arise.
22 February 1784, the Crimean population, taking into account belonging to a certain class, were given all the rights and assigned all the duties that were present in the imperial population. Suvorov left Crimea in April 1784 of the year and was generously rewarded for his services to the state. Russian prisoners who were on the territory of the Khanate were released and returned to their homeland, and property that previously belonged to the khan was attached to the state treasury. For most of the noble Tatar feudal lords, their possessions were preserved, in addition, they were given Russian titles. Cities and ports were declared open, foreign citizens could arrive in them, and settle as permanent residents, as well as receive Russian citizenship.
After the adoption of the Crimea as part of the empire and the introduction of Russian laws on its territory, the region began to rise economically. Thanks to the abolition of domestic trade duties, trade turnover has increased sharply. Vast fertile lands attracted enterprising people, and the flow of specialists and investments directed by the state contributed to the formation of garden plantations, agricultural and industrial enterprises in the Crimea. With 1785, the Crimean ports were exempt from trade duties for five years, which was an additional factor for attracting foreign capital to the developing region.
The development of the Crimea, the Taman Peninsula and the Kuban Catherine II and the subsequent emperors of the Russian state paid special attention. Soon the region, whose population had previously been predominantly engaged in cattle breeding, became a flourishing and rich region.
Information