COURSE OF EVENTS

The impossibility of peaceful means to improve the position of Christians in the Balkans, raising the national self-consciousness in the Balkan countries led to the fact that in April 1877 Russia announced Turkey War. The Russian army forced the Danube, captured Shipkin Pass, after a five-month siege forced the Turkish army of Osman Pasha to the surrender in Plevne.

The number of the Russian expeditionary corps in the Balkans of the beginning of the war was about 185 thousand people, and by the end of the war she reached half a million. Raid through the Balkans, during which the Russian army broke the last Turkish parts, led to the exit Ottoman Empire From the war.

According to the results of the war, the San Stefanin Priminary Treaty was concluded. However, its conditions caused a sharply negative reaction of the great powers, fear of extremely increased influence of Russia in the Balkans. They forced Russia to go to the revision of the contract, and he was actually replaced by the Berlin Treaty signed on the Berlin Congress on June 1, 1878. As a result of the acquisition of Russia and who fought on the side of Russia for their independence of the Balkan states were severely cut off, and Austria-Hungary and England They even received certain acquisitions from the war, in which they did not participate. The statehood of Bulgaria was restored, the territory of Serbia, Montenegro and Romania was increased. At the same time, Turkish Bosnia and Herzegovina went away to Austria-Hungary.

Having taught Tarnov, General Gurko gathered information about the enemy and moved on June 28 to Kazanlyk, bypassing the Shipkin-Skogo Pass. In a strong heat and on mountain paths, the advanced squad passed 120 versts in 6 days. Double attack of spikes from the north (July 5) and the South (6th) success was not crowned. Nevertheless, the news of the transition of Gurko for the Balkans had to have worked on the Turk that he who occupied her squad left his excellent position, threw all his artillery on the passage and retreated to Filipepol.

On July 7, Shipka was taken without a fight. We lost about 400 people and captured 6 guns and up to 400 prisoners on the pass. [...]

By the evening of the 17th, Gurko's squads entered into contact with the opponent. The 18th and 19th there were a number of fighting, for us in general, successful. 4th rifle brigade Passed for a day on July 17 - 18 in the mountains 75 miles. On July 18, the Yeni-Zagon arrows shot down the Turkish squad, capturing 2 guns and losing 7 officers, 102 lower ranks. July 19, Djuranla had a stubborn fight, where we lost 20 officers, 498 lower ranks, but killed up to 2000 Turks. With the eski-zagar, the Bulgarian militia lost 34 officers and 1000 lower ranks, it was the whole color of the officers of Turkestan shooters. However, we failed in the esk-ruling, where the Bulgarian militia was defeated. On July 19, Gurko's troops moved to Shipka and Hanico. They risked to be in a hopeless position, but Suleiman was not pursued, carried away by the beating of the Bulgarian population, and we could save the thug. It was the only thing, but large positive result summer transition Balkans: Having holds a spray, we disconnected the actions of all three Turkish armies. The weak number of Gurko detachment did everything that could do, and with honor came out of his predicament. [...]

Having lost 19 days after the case under the essh-stamp (when he could almost easily master the throat), Suleiman on August 7 from 40000 at 54 guns approached Shipkinsky pass. Radetsky's troops who defended the Balkans, and in addition, those who had a task to cover the left flank of the Plevnensk group and the right - Rushchuksky squad were scattered at the front of 130 versts from Selwi to Cesarean. On the spit itself there were 4,000 people (Orlovsky regiment and the remains of the Bulgarian militia) with 28 guns. Having spent another day, Suleiman stormed on August 9 in the forehead the strongest part of the Russian positions on the pass.

So the famous six-day Shipkin battle began. Attacks followed attacks, Tabor walked behind the Tabor. Shot of their ammunition, Tommy brutal thirst, defenders of the "eagle nest" - Orlovtsy and Bryanza - chopped up with stones and butts. On August 11, Suleiman has already tried a victory, but here in a decisive moment, like a thunder with a clear sky, "Hurray!" The 4th Rifle Brigade, a lightning march lasting 60 miles into a forty-portous heat. Shipka was saved - and on these hot rocks the 4th Rifle Brigade earned its immortal name of the Iron Brigade.

The 14th division of General Dragomirova arrived here, Radetsky himself personally began to manage the fight, and on August 13, the skins of Suleimanovsky Tabors played with a hang. On August 9, we had 6,000 people in the evening, the stormed Turks had 28,000 and 36 guns. August 10, Radetsky moved to the reserve chip; The Turks reflected on the eve, the artillery battle was held all day. August 11 was a critical day. Russian position was covered on three sides. 16th rifle battalion It arrived at the critical moment on the groats of the Cossack horses, with the place rushing into the bayonets. On August 12, the 2nd Brigade of the 14th Division was approached, and on August 13 and the Volyn Regiment. Radetsky switched to the counterattack (personally led in the bayonets of the rod of zhytomyrians). On August 13 and 14, there were fights with variable success. Dragomirov was wounded, and the Commander of the 2nd Brigade of the 9th Division, General Derogin killed. Our damage: 2 generals, 108 officers, 3338 lower ranks. The Turks showed their in a 233 officer and 6527 lower ranks, but in fact he is twice as much - in a letter to Serakskritatu Suleiman demanded urgently 12,000 - 15,000 people to replenish. To have a concept about the conditions of protection of the threshold, it is enough to notice that water for our wounded had to deliver for 17 miles!

Restrictions on the sea

Since the beginning of the Russian-Turkish war, 1877-1878 Energy, ingenuity and perseverance Makarova found new use. As is known, by virtue of the Paris Treatise of 1856, Russia was deprived of the right to have a battle fleet in the Black Sea, and although this treatise was canceled and was canceled in 1871, still creating a strong military fleet to the beginning of the Russian-Turkish war Russia I did not have time and, except for floating batteries, wooden corvets and several shhun, nothing there had. Turkey, by this time, had a large fleet with severe artillery. On the Black Sea, she could use 15 armor, 5 screw frigates, 13 screw corvettes, 8 monitors, 7 armored gunboats and a large number of small ships.

The ratio of forces on the Black Sea was far from Russia. It was necessary at the lowest sea forces to find effective methods Combating a strong fleet of Turkey. The solution to this problem was found by Makarov.

Captain Lieutenant Makarov

At the end of 1876, the inevitability of war with Turkey turned out. Makarov received a steamer "Grand Prince Konstantin" in command. After a stubborn struggle, he carried out his idea to arm a steamer with high-speed mine boats, raised on special slopes, and put artillery on it from 4-inch rifle guns and one 6-inch mortar.

At first, the boats were armed with sixte and towing mines, for the use of which it was necessary that the boat was approaching almost close to the enemy vessel.

The first attack by such mines was produced on May 12, 1877 on the Turkish watchdog. Mina touched his side, but did not explode due to the malfunction to the sun (as the study showed, 30% of the opposites did not explode due to the negligence of their release). Sulinsky Attack on June 9th was also failed. On August 24, a mine attack was made on the Sukhumsky raid: the Turkish armored stage was damaged, but he did not sink and was allocated by the Turks on a tug in Batum. Although in Nikolaev in the warehouse were self-deviating mines [Torpedoes] Whitehead, they were released by Makarov only in July 1877, i.e. Almost four months after the start of the war, believing that mines that were worth 12,000 rubles per piece, "too expensive to spend them."

The torpedo attack, undertaken on the night of December 28, failed: Torpedoes did not fall into the enemy armor and jumped ashore. But the next torpedo attack was crowned with success. On the night of January 26, 1878, the Turkish Watching Steamer was attacked at the Batumi Raid.

The most brilliant business of Makarov was the distraction of the enemy battleship, appointed to watch the detachment of Colonel Shelkovnikov (the latter was to retreat under the pressure of the superior forces of the Turks in a narrow expensive, walking around the edge of the sheer, towering over the sea of \u200b\u200bthe rock). Makarov caused a rap of battleship for "Konstantin", and at this time of mulberry, not seen, spent his squad without any loss.

For the brilliant actions of the steamer "Konstantin" Makarov received the combat awards higher in his rank (George 4th degree and gold weapons) and was over whether it was produced in Chin Captain Lieutenant, and then the captain of the 2nd rank and awarded the title of the flaghel-adjutant.

San Stefanin Primary Mirny Treaty

The brilliant port will have the right to use the aisle through Bulgaria for a transfer by certain ways of troops, military supplies and a province in the area outside the principality, and back. Within three months since the ratification of this act, to avoid difficulties and misunderstandings to apply the right, the conditions of use will be determined by the brilliant port agreement with the control in Bulgaria, a special charter, providing, by the way, the military needs of the brilliant ports.

It goes without saying that the above-mentioned right applies exclusively to Ottoman regular troops, the irregular - Bashi-Buzuki and Circassians will certainly be excluded from it. [...]

Article XII.

All fortresses on the Danube will be broken. In the future, there will be no more fortifications on the shores of this river; It will also not be in the waters of the Romanian, Serbian and Bulgarian principalities of military courts, except for ordinary stitches and small vessels intended for the need for river police and customs management. [...]

Article XXIV.

Bosphorus and Dardanelles will be open, both during the war and during the world, for shopping ships of neutral powers coming from Russian ports or departing. Due to this, the brilliant port undertakes to continue to no longer establish the invalid blockade of the ports of the Black and Azov seas, as inappropriate the exact meaning of the declaration signed in Paris

San Stefanin Primary Mirny Treaty San Stefano, February 19 / March 3, 1878 // Collection of Russia's treaties with other states. 1856-1917. M., 1952 http://www.hist.msu.ru/er/etext/Foreign/stefano.htm

From San Stefano to Berlin

On February 19, 1878, a peace treaty was signed in San Stefano. According to his conditions, Bulgaria received the status of the Autonomous Principality. Serbia, Montenegro and Romania have gained complete independence and significant territorial increments. Russia returned to South Bessarabia, rejected by the Paris Treaty, and passed the Kars region in the Caucasus.

The Interim Russian Administration, who managed Bulgaria, developed a draft constitution. Bulgaria was proclaimed a constitutional monarchy. The rights of personality and property were guaranteed. The Russian project was based on the Bulgarian Constitution adopted Constituent meeting In Tarnovo in April 1879

England and Austria-Hungary refused to recognize the conditions of the San Stefan world. At their insistence, in the summer of 1878, Berlin Congress took place with the participation of England, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia and Turkey. Russia was in isolation and was forced to make concessions. Western powers categorically objected to creating a single Bulgarian state. As a result, South Bulgaria remained under the rule of Turkey. Russian dipartes managed to achieve only the fact that Sofia and Varna were included in the autonomous Bulgarian principality. The territory of Serbia and Montenegro was significantly trimmed. Congress confirmed the right of Austro-Hungary to occupy Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In the report of the king, the head of the Russian delegation Chancellor A.M. Gorchakov wrote: "Berlin Congress is the smallest page in my service career!" The king marked: "And in mine too."

Berlin Congress undoubtedly did not decorate the diplomatic history of not only Russia, but also the Western powers. Move with minor momentum calculations and envy to the brilliant victory of Russian weapons, the governments of these countries extended Turkish dominion over several millions of Slavs.

And yet the fruits of the Russian victory were destroyed only in part. By laying the foundation of the freedom of the brotherly Bulgarian people, Russia entered the glorious page to his story. Russian-Turkish War 1877-1878 He entered the general context of the Epoch of Liberation and became its worthy completion.

Balkhanov A.N., Gorinov M.M. From the beginning of the XVIII to the end of the XIX century, M., 2001. http://kazez.net/book_98689_glava_129_%C2%A7_4._russko_-_ture%D1%81KAJA_VOJJ.HTML

[...] Article I

Bulgaria forms the princess self-governing and paying tribute, under the main region E.I.V. Sultan; She will have the Christian government and the People's Militia. [...]

Article III

Prince Bulgaria will freely elect the population and approve the brilliant port with the consent of the Power. None of the members of the dynasties reigning in the Great European powers cannot be elected prince of Bulgaria. In the event that the title of Prince Bulgarian will remain unsubstituted, the election of the new prince will be produced under the same conditions in the same form. [...]

The formation of the state law of Bulgaria will be based on the following principles: the difference in religious beliefs and confessions cannot serve as a reason for the elimination of anyone, or non-recognition for any legal capacity in all that applies to the use of civil and political, access to public posts , official classes and differences or before the departure of various free classes and crafts in no matter how much of the terrain. All Bulgarian natives, and equally and foreigners are provided by freedom and external shipment of any worship; Any constraints in the hierarchical device of various religious communities and their spiritual chapters are also made. [...]

Article XIII.

South from the Balkans, a province is formed, which will receive the name of Eastern Rumelia and which will remain under the direct political and military power E.I.V. Sultan on the conditions of administrative autonomy. She will have a Governor Governor Christian. [...]

Article XXV.

The provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be occupied and managed by Austria-Hungary. [...]

Article XXVI.

The independence of Montenegro is recognized as brilliant port and all those highly contracting parties, which have not yet been recognized. [...]

Article xxxiv.

High Contracting Parties recognize the independence of the Serbian Principality [...]

Article LVIII.

Brilliant port is inferior Russian Empire In Asia, Ardagan, Kars and Batum, with the port of the latter, as well as all the territories between the former Russian-Turkish border and the next border line. [...]

The Valley of Alashkert and the city of Bayazet, defended Russia by Article XIX San Stefan Treaty, Turkey is returned. [...]

The defeat in the Crimean War of 1853-1856 and the participatory Parisian peace treaty significantly undermined Russia's influence in the Balkans and the Black Sea. Only after the revocation of the restrictive articles of this contract, the Russian government was serious about revenge. Soon a convenient case was introduced.

In April 1876, a rebellion of the Turk broke out in Bulgaria, which Turkish troops were supplied with incredible cruelty. It caused outrage in European countries and especially in Russia, who considered himself the patroness of Christians from the Ottoman Empire. Turkey rejected the London Protocol, signed on March 31, 1877 by Great Britain, Russia, Austria-Hungary, France, Germany and Italy, which provided for the demobilization of the Turkish army and the beginning of reforms in the Balkan provinces of the Ottoman Empire. And then the new Russian-Turkish war became inevitable. April 24, Emperor Alexander II signed a manifesto about war with Turkey.

Army side

By the beginning of the war, the Russian Empire came up with an updated army, rebuilt on new principles. This was not the serf army of the Crimean War, completed on the recruitment set, and the armed forces were recorded on the basis of the common military service. They received new weapons, first of all - modern rifles of Berdan. The field artillery was equipped with rifled casing-loadable guns - 4-pound (2/3 hiking batteries and all equestrian) and 9-pounds (1/3 hiking batteries). In 1870, the anti-firing 10-trunk caskets of Gatling and 6-trunks of Baranovsky with a speed of 200 shots were adopted for arming artillery brigades. The Turkish army in organizational relation was inferior to Russian. Most of her cavalry made up irregular troops of Bashibuzuk. Repair the violence over the Bulgarian rebels they were able to but useless against regular army. About half of the infantry, the command dispersed in the fortresses. The small armament was relatively modern - the rifles of English and American production, but artillery was significantly inferior to the Russian.

At sea, the situation was not in favor of Russia, who had not yet had time to restore the fleet after the abolition of the restrictive articles of the Paris Treatise. If Turkey has had a powerful armored forces on the Black Sea, Russia had only a few mobilized steamats. This made it difficult to supply the supply of Russian troops.

Instead of the sea route, the supplies had to carry around land, that in the absence of railways was difficult. To counteract the Turkish fleet, Russian sailors were widely used by mine weapons, as well as a novelty of the pore - "self-dividing mines" (torpedoes).

Plans by Party

Russian command focused on the Balkan Military Action Theater: here it was possible to expect to support the local population, the release of which from the Ottoman oppression was filed as the main goal of the war. In addition, the yield of the Russian army to Constantinople could mean the final defeat of the Ottoman Empire. But the path to this goal was blocked two lines.

The first one is the Danube River with powerful fortresses on her shore (Rushchuk, Silleraria, Calm, Varna) and Turkish flotilla from 17 armored ships. The second no less serious barrier is the Balkan Ridge. A few passes were led through him, which the enemy could easily block. By coating the Balkan Ridge could have been along the sea, but then I would have to take the storm well fortified Varna.

The Russian Plan of War, prepared in 1876 by General N. Obruchev, was founded on the idea of \u200b\u200ba lightning victory for one campaign. The army was supposed to go to the Danube on the middle of the river, where the Turk had no fortresses, in the area, inhabited by Bulgarians friendly. After the crossing, the army was divided into three equal groups. The first blocks the Turkish fortresses in the lower reaches of the Danube, the second acts against the Turkish forces in the direction of Vidine, the third - goes through the Balkans and goes to Constantinople.

The Turkish side planned to resort to active defense. Focusing the main forces (about 100 thousand people) in the "quadrilateral" of the fortresses of the Rukhchuk - noisy - the Bazardzhik - a Silistria, the Turkish commanders were going to take off the crossed Russians to the Balkans, in the depths of Bulgaria, and then defeat them, having fallen into the left flank. At the same time, quite significant forces (about 30 thousand people) were concentrated in Western Bulgaria in Sofia and Viddy. This corps led to the observation of Serbia and Romania and was supposed to prevent the combination of the Russian army with Serbs. In addition, small detachments occupied the Balkan passages and fortifications on the Middle Danube.

The course of combat operation

The Russian army according to the prior arrangement with Romania passed through its territory and in June in several places crossed through the Danube.

To ensure the forceding of the Danube required to neutralize the Turkish Danube flotilla in places of possible crossing. This task was made by installing on the mine of the mine barrage, covered coastal batteries. Light mine boats were also involved. On May 26, 1877, the boats Skilled the monitor "Jezi Rakhman". Since coastal artillery for two weeks before that, before this, the monitor "Luft Gelli" monitor, the Turkish fleet was paralyzed and could not interfere with the crossing of Russian troops. However, not everything went without problems. If the Nizhnyndunai squad successfully crossed on June 22 at Galats and Braly and soon took the North Dobrudju, then the army of M. Dragomirov's troops, which began on June 27, was held under a cruel firing, which led to the death of 1,100 soldiers. Only on July 3, when the Suppers brought the pontoon bridge from the winter pit, it was possible to start crossing the main forces of the army.

Plevna and Shipka

On July 7, 1877, the detachment of General Gurko took Tarnovo and moved around Shipkin Pass. Fearing environments, July 19, the Turks left a chip without a fight. July 15, Russian troops took Nikopol. However, the large Turkish army under the command of Osman-Pasha, previously stationed in Vidin, entered the plevnu, threatening with the right flank and communications of the Russian army. On July 20, an attempt was not crowned with the success of General Schilder-Schuldner, to knock out the Turks from the Pleven. Not mastering this fortress, the Russians could not continue the offensive for the Balkan Range. Plevna became the central point where the outcome of the campaign was solved.

On July 31, the detachment of General Kridner attacked Ottoman-Pasha's troops, but was broken. In the meantime, the other Turkish army under the command of Suleiman Pasha, defeated from Montenegro, defeated the detachments of Bulgarian militia and on August 21 began storming a chip, fierce battles continued four days. It happened to bayonet fights and hand-to-hand. A reinforcement came to defending the Russian squad to the Russian detachment, and the Turks were forced to retreat.

On September 27, General Tobleben was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Army, who began the planned siege of the pieces. The Army of Suleiman Pasha was unsuccessful tried to break through through the Balkans and discard the Pulve in November and early December.

On December 10, Osman Pasha took the last attack to escape from the deposited fortress. The Turks passed two lines of Russian troops, but on the third were stopped and surrendered.

Hike through Churyak

After taking the piers, the Russian troops, despite the harsh winter, immediately moved through the Balkan mountains. On December 25, Gurko detachment passed Pass Churyak and on January 4, 1878 joined Sofia. In early January, the main forces were overcome the Balkan ridge at the chip. On January 10, the Russian troops defeated the Turks from Shaynovo and surrounded their detachment, previously precipitated her thieves. 22 thousand Turkish soldiers and officers were captured.

On January 20, General Skobeliev without a fight took Adrianopol. The Turkish command has not yet placed at the Balkan theater any significant forces. On January 30, Russian troops approached close to the last defensive positions before Istanbul. On January 31, 1878, a truce was signed in Adrianopol.

Fighting in the Caucasus

In May 1877, the Milns with the support of Turkish emissaries were raised by a rebellion in Abkhazia. Russians left Sukhum after a two-day bombing of the city of the Turkish squadron, consisting of five armor and several armed steamers, and disembarking sea assault. By June, the entire coast of Abkhazia was occupied by Turks. Turkish troops left Sukhum only on August 19 after an approach to Russian troops in the reinforcement Abkhazia from Russia.

In the Transcaucasia, the Russian troops occupied Bayazet on April 17, 1877, but on June 28, after a three-week siege, they were forced to leave him. In July - August here lasted here, but at the end of September, the Russian troops, having received reinforcements, resumed an offensive. On November 6, they took the Kare fortress. The remains of the Turkish army were deposited in Erzurum, where they managed to hold out before signing a truce.

Results of war

On March 3, 1878, San Stefani World was signed. According to this world, in the Transcaucasia to Russia, it was accompanied by Kara busy during the war, as well as Ardagan, Batum and Bayazet. Russian troops remained for two years in Bulgaria. In addition, South Bessarabia returned to the Russian Empire. Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina received autonomy. Serbia, Montenegro and Romania were declared independent. Turkey was supposed to pay Russia to the confinition of 310 million rubles. However, at the Berlin Congress of the Great Powers in June - July 1878, Russia's achievements were significantly cut. Turkey returned bayazet and southern Bulgaria. Bosnia and Herzegovina occupied coupie-Hungary, and Cyprus - United Kingdom.

If you say briefly about the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878, about the reasons that provoked its beginning, then, first of all, it is worth nameing the cruel oppression of the Christian population of the Balkan territories occupied by the Ottoman Empire and part of it. This happened in the connivance and holding of France and England "Turkophilic" politics, which "closed the eyes" to kill civilians and, in particular, on the wild atrocities of Bashibuzuk.

Prehistory.

The attitude of two empires, Russian and Ottoman, since their foundation has undergone a number of significant differences, which led to frequent cruel wars. In addition to the territorial disputes, in particular, behind the territory of the Crimean Peninsula, the prerequisites for conflicts were religious disagreements based on the fact that Russia was the succession of Byzantium, captured and looted by Muslims-Turks, which turned Christian shrines to Muslim. Ride on Russian settlements, the seizure of residents in slavery was often led to military clashes. If we talk briefly, the Russian-Turkish war is 1877-1878. It was provoked by the cruelty and intolerance of the Turks to the Orthodox population.

He contributed to the development of Russian-Turkish disagreements and the position of European states, in particular Britain, who did not want to strengthen Russia, which led to the Ottoman Empire of the tightening policy and oppression of enslaved Christians, mainly Orthodox: Greeks, Bulgarians, Serbs and other Balkan Slavs.

Conflict, his background

Events predetermined Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878, briefly can be described as a struggle for the independence of Balkan peoples, mainly Slavic and Orthodox. After the completion of the Crimean War, the Paris Agreement was signed, his article 9 was obliged directly to provide the Government of the Ottoman Empire to provide Christians living on its territory equal to the Muslims of the right. But then the Sultan Decision did not go.

The Ottoman Empire, in its essence, could not provide all residents of equality, as evidenced by the events of 1860 in Lebanon and events 1866-1869. On the island of Crete. Balkan Slavs continued to be brutal oppressions.

By that time, a change in domestic political moods to the Turkish question in society occurred in Russia, strengthening the power of the Russian army. Prerequisites for preparing for the Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878 can be summarized in two points. The first is a successful reform in the Russian army, conducted by Alexander II. The second is the policy of rapprochement and union with Prussia, which focused a new chancellor - an outstanding Russian politician Prince A. M. Gorchakov.

The main reasons for the beginning of the war

Briefly the causes of the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878 can be characterized by two moments. As the struggle of the Balkan peoples with Turkish enslavers and strengthening Russia who wants to help the Slavs brothers in their fair struggle and seeking to take revenge for the lost war of 1853-1856.

The beginning of the Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878 (briefly) served as a summer rebellion in Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose premises were the unreasonable and exorbitant increase in taxes established by the Turkish government, which at that time was financially insolvent.

In the spring of 1876, for the same reason, an uprising occurred in Bulgaria. When it was suppressed, more than 30 thousand Bulgarians were killed. Special atrocities distinguished the irregular troops of Bashibuzuk. All this became the property of the European Public, which created an atmosphere of sympathy to the Balkan peoples and criticism of his government, which, thanks to silent agreement, contributed to this.

Not a smaller wave of protests rolled through the territory of Russia. The community of the country, concerned about the growth of violence against the Slavic peoples of the Balkan, expressed his discontent. Thousands of volunteers expressed a desire to assist Serbia and Montenegro, who announced in 1876 by the War of Turkey. Were defeat from the troops of the port, Serbia requested help from European states, including Russia. The Turks announced a monthly truce. Let's say briefly: the Russian-Turkish war is 1877-1878. It was predetermined.

Entry into war of Russia

In October, the truce ended, the situation for Serbia became threatening, only the lightning accession of Russia in the war and the opportunity to complete it in one company could restrain England and France from the invasion. These countries, under pressure from the population of the public, make a decision to send their expeditionary buildings to the Balkans. Russia, in turn, conducting meetings with a number of European powers, such as Austria-Hungary, and having enlisted them with neutrality, decides to introduce troops to Turkey's territory.

Russia declares the war of Turkey on 12.04.1877. The Russian troops enter the territory of Romania. The army of this country decides to speak on its side, but performs the decision only in August.

The course of war

Let's try to describe the russian-Turkish war (1877-1878) briefly. In June, Russian troops, having consisting of 185 thousand soldiers, focused on the left bank of the Danube, in the Zimnitsa area. Command of the Russian army led grand Duke Nikolai.

In the Turkish Army opposed Russia, there were more than 200 thousand people, most of which were the garrisons of fortresses. He commanded her Marshal Abdulkerim-Nadir-Pasha.

To promote the Russian army, it was necessary to force the Danube, in which the Turks had military flotilla. By railway Light boats were delivered, who, with minecraft, prevented its action. The troops successfully crossed and switched to the offensive, moving into the depths of the country. The Russian army fell in two directions: in the Caucasus and Balkans. The balkans were paramount, since, capturing Constantinople, it was possible to talk about the exit of Turkey from the war.

The main battle occurred during the transition of the bike pass. In this battle, the Russians won and continued to move towards Constantinople, where in the area of \u200b\u200bthe Pleven fortress they met serious resistance to the Turks sitting in it. And only in November the situation has changed in favor of Russians. Winning in battles, Russia in January 1878 took the city of Andrianopol.

Conclusion of a peace treaty

According to the results of the war, 03/16/1878 signed an agreement in San Stefano. He did not arrange a number of leading countries in Europe led by England. In addition, Britain conducted secret negotiations with Turkey, as a result of which she occupied the island of Cyprus in exchange for the protection of the Turks from the Russians.

As a result of the backstage intrigues, which England was a craftswoman, a Berlin treatise was signed dated July 01, 1878. As a result of his signing, most of the points of the San Stefan treaty were canceled.

Results of war

Let us sum up the results of the Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878. Russia as a result of the war returned the previously lost southern part of Bessarabia and the Kara region populated mainly by Armenians. The territory of the island of Cyprus was occupied by England.

In 1885, the Unified Principality of Bulgaria was formed, after the Balkan wars, the Kingdom of Bulgarian became sovereign. Independence received Serbia, Romania and Montenegro.

The leading direction of foreign policy second halves XIX. in. remained eastern question . Crimean war aggravated contradictions in the Balkans and in the area Mediterranean Sea. Russia was very concerned about the insecurity of the borders in the Black Sea area and the lack of opportunity to defend its interests in the Eastern Mediterranean, especially in the straits.

As the national liberation war, the Balkans in Russia grew a mass movement in support of the Southern Slavs. The new wave of public indignation rose due to the brutal suppression of the Turkish authorities of the April Uprising in Bulgaria. In defense of the Bulgarian people, outstanding Russian scientists, writers, artists - D.I. Mendeleev, N.I. Pirogov, L.N. Tolstoy, I.S. Turgenev, F.M. Dostoevsky, I.S. Isakov, I.E. Repin, etc.

In July 1876serbia and Montenegro governments demanded that Turkey cease to repristenly in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, this requirement was not satisfied, and on July 30, both Slavic states declared war of Turkey. About 5 thousand Russian military joined the Serbian army. In the hospitals of Serbia and Montenegro, Russian volunteers worked, among which there were such famous doctors like N.V. Sklifosovsky, S.P. Botkin.

In the acute international setting, tsarism sought to evade the open participation in the conflict arising. To guarantee the rights of the Christian population, Turkey refused.

April 12, 1877 Russia declared war Turkey. Events unfolded in the Balkans and in the Transcaucasus. On the day of the declaration of war, the Russian army switched to the Romanian border and moved to the Danube. On July 7, the Russian troops mastered Shipkin Pass.

Against Russian troops was a large military group under command Suleiman Pasha. One of the heroic episodes of war began - protection of Shipkin Pass.

In extremely difficult conditions, with repeated superiority of the enemy forces, Russian troops reflected attacks of Turkish troops.

At the same time, the enemy managed to focus large forces in the fortress Plevnawho was at the intersection of the most important roads. In November 1977, Plevna surrendered to what was the most important event during the war. After taking the Russian troops, the final period of war began.

December 3 Detachment under the command I.V. Gurko In the most difficult conditions of the mountainous area with a 25-degree frost overcame Balkans and freed Sofia.

Another detachment under command F.F. Radetsky Through Shipkin Pass reached the fortified Turkish camp of Shainovo. It happened here one of the largest battles of the war, during which the enemy was defeated. Russian troops moved to Constantinople.

Successfully developed events in the Transcaucasian Theater of Military Action. In early May 1877, the Russian troops successfully mastered the fortresses of Ardagan and Kara.

Negotiations on a peaceful agreement with Turkey ended February 19, 1878 in San StefanoClose up Konstantinople. According to the contract Serbia, Romania and Montenegroreceived complete independence. Proclaimed the creation Bulgaria- Autonomous principality, in which Russian troops were held within two years. Turkey undertook to spend reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Romania passed North Dobrudja. Russia returned South Bessarabia, rejected by the Paris Treaty. In Asia, the city went out to Russia Ardagan, Kars, Batum, Bayazetand the large territory to Sanglung, inhabited in the main Armenians. San Stefan agreement responded to the aspirations of the Balkan peoples and had a progressive importance for the peoples of the Transcaucasus.

Western powers could not accept the strengthening of Russian positions in the Balkans and the Caucasus. They refused to recognize the conditions of the San Stefan Treaty and demanded its revision. Russia was forced to give up.

IN julyin Berlincongress opened, in which European states, acting in a single front, changed the San Stefan Treaty. South Bulgaria turned out to be ruled by Turkey. The territories of independent Serbia, Montenegro and Romania were reduced. Austria-Hungary occupied Bosnia and Herzegovina, England - Cyprus.

Russia's foreign policy at the end of the XIX century.

In the last quarter XIX. in. Contradictions are growing between great powers: Russia, England, France, Germany and Austria-Hungary. Their confrontation was determined by the situation in the world, affecting the interests of other states. End XIX. - The beginning of the twentieth century. marked by the creation of blocks of states.

June 6. 1881austro-Russian-German-German-German agreement was signed, included in the history called " Union of three emperors". The contract secured the mutual obligations of the parties to maintain in general neutrality in the event of a war of one of them with the fourth party. In general, this agreement was beneficial in Russia, but was short-lived and easily broke out, which predetermined its weakness.

Despite the conclusion of the contract, the policy of the Russian government began to fully acquire antighermanic features. In 1887, decrees were published, limiting the influx of the German capital and increase the duties for the import of metal, metal products and coal, on the products of the chemical industry, etc.

By the end of the 1980s, Russia's contradiction with Austria-Hungary and Germany became more significant than contradictions with England. In solving international issues russian government It began to look for partners. An important prerequisite for such a step was serious changes in the entire European situation caused by the conclusion in 1882 Tripping Union between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy. In the early 1990s, there were signs of rapprochement of the participants of the Thieves Union with England. Under these conditions, the convergence of Russia began with France, which had not only a political, but also the economic basis. Since 1887, Russia began to regularly receive French loans. August 27 1891. was concluded russian-French Union, and in 1892 - Military Convention. In January 1894, the contract was ratified by Alexander III.

Many contemporaries are convinced that in the past historians a little attention paid for such an event as the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. Briefly, but this episode in the history of Russia is available as much as possible. After all, he, like any war, in any case of the history of the state.

Let's try to disassemble such an event as the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878, briefly, but most clearly as possible. First of all, for ordinary readers.

Russian-Turkish War 1877-1878 (briefly)

The main opponents of this armed conflict were the Russian and Ottoman Empire.

In the course of it, many important events occurred. The Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878 (briefly described in this article) left a trace in the history of almost all participating countries.

On the port side (the name of the Ottoman Empire acceptable for the history) was the Abkhaz, Dagestan and Chechen rebels, as well as the Polish Legion.

Russia, in turn, supported the Balkans.

Causes of the Russian-Turkish War

First of all, we will analyze the main causes of the Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878 (briefly).

The main reason for the beginning of the war was a significant increase in national self-consciousness in some Balkan countries.

This kind of public sentiment was associated with April uprising in Bulgaria. The cruelty and merciless that the Bulgarian rebellion was depressed, forced some european countries (especially the Russian Empire) to show Christians in Turkey, sympathy.

Another reason for the start of hostilities was the defeat of Serbia in the Serbo-Montenegrin-Turkish war, as well as the failed Constantinople conference.

The course of war

On April 24, 1877, the Russian Empire officially announced the War Port. After the Chisinau solemn parade, the Archbishop Pavel on a prayer was read by the manifesto Emperor Alexander II, which stated the beginning of hostilities against the Ottoman Empire.

In order to avoid intervention of European states, the war had to be held "quickly" - in one company.

In May of the same year, the troops of the Russian Empire were introduced into the territory of the Romanian state.

Romanian troops, in turn, began to take an active part in the conflict on the side of Russia and its allies only three months after this event.

On the organization and preparedness of the Russian Army, a military reform was noticeable, which carried out at the time by Emperor Alexander II.

The Russian troops included about 700 thousand people. For the Ottoman Empire, there were about 281 thousand people. Despite the significant numerical advantage of Russian, a significant advantage of the Turks was the ownership and equipment of the army with modern weapons.

It is worth noting that the Russian Empire intended to spend the whole war on land. The fact is that the Black Sea was completely under the control of the Turks, and Russia was allowed to build their ships in this sea only in 1871. Naturally, what such short term It was impossible to erect a strong flotilla.

This armed conflict was conducted in two directions: in Asian and European.

European Theater of Military Action

As we mentioned above, with the beginning of the war, the Russian troops were introduced in Romania. This was done to eliminate the Danube Fleet of the Ottoman Empire, which controlled the crossing through the Danube.

The river fleet of the Turks could not confront the actions of enemy seafarers, and soon the Dnieper was forced by Russian troops. It was the first significant step towards Constantinople.

Despite the fact that the Turks could briefly delay Russian troops and get the time to strengthen Istanbul and Edirne, they could not change the course of the war. Due to the inept actions of the military command of the Ottoman Empire, Pleven on December 10 capitulated.

After this event acting russian armyAt that time about 314 thousand soldiers at that time, was preparing to move back again.

At the same time against the ports resumes martialctions Serbia.

On December 23, 1877, the raid across the Balkans commits the Russian detachment at that time under the command of General Romeiko Gurko, thanks to which Sofia was busy.

On December 27-28, a fight occurred at Shainovo, in which the troops of the Southern Detachment participated. The result of this battle was the environment and the defeat of a 30 thousand

On January 8, the troops of the Russian Empire without any resistance were taken by one of the key points of the Turkish army - the city of Edirne.

Asian Military Theater

The main tasks of the Asian direction of war were to ensure the security of their own borders, as well as the desire of the leadership of the Russian Empire to break the focus of the Turks exclusively at the European Theater of Combat.

The beginning of the reference of the Caucasian company is considered to be the Abkhaz rebellion that happened in May 1877.

At about the same time, Russian troops leave the city of Sukhum. Return it back it turned out only in August.

During the actions in the Transcaucasus, Russian troops were captured by many citades, garrisons and fortresses: Bayazit, Ardagan, etc.

In the second half of the summer, 1877, the fighting was temporarily "frozen" for the reason that both parties were waiting for the approach of reinforcements.

Starting from September, the Russians began to adhere to siege tactics. So, for example, the city of Kars was taken, who opened the victorious path to Erzerum. However, his seizure did not take place due to the conclusion of the San Stefan peace treaty.

The terms of this truce, in addition to Austria and England, were unhappy and Serbia with Romania. It was believed that their merits in the war were not appreciated. This was the beginning of the origin of the new - Berlin - Congress.

The results of the Russian-Turkish war

The final stage will summarize the Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878 (briefly).

There was an expansion of the borders of the Russian Empire: speaking more specifically, BesaSarabia again entered its composition, which was lost during

In exchange for the aid of the Ottoman Empire, to defend themselves from Russians in the Caucasus, England placed his troops on the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean.

Russian-Turkish War 1877-1878 (Briefly considered by us in this article) played a big role in international relations.

It gave rise to a gradual departure from confrontation between the Russian Empire and the United Kingdom for the reason that countries began to focus more on their own interests (for example, Russia interested in the Black Sea, and England is Egypt).

Historians and Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878. Briefly, in general terms, we characterize the event

Despite the fact that this war is not considered, as a particularly significant event in history Russian stateHer study was engaged in a considerable number of historians. The most famous researchers whose contribution was noted as the most significant, are L.I. Rovnekova, O.V. Orlik, F.T. Konstantinova, E.P. Lviv, etc.

They studied the biographies of participating commander and military leaders, significant events, summed up the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878, briefly described in the submitted publication. Naturally, all this was not in vain.

Economist A.P. Pogrebinsky believed that the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878, briefly and quickly ended the victory of the Russian Empire and its allies, provided a huge impact First of all, the economy. Important role This was played by the attachment of Bessarabia.

According to the Soviet political figure, Nikolay Belyaev, this military conflict was unfair, carrying a convict. This statement, according to his author, is relevant and in relation to the Russian Empire, and in relation to the port.

It can also be said that the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878, briefly described in this article, first of all showed success military reform Alexander II, both in organizational terms and technical.