Turkey's wars are one of the most relevant and interesting topics not only in historical science, but also in modern political science. For several centuries, this country, which formed the core of the Ottoman Empire, waged wars in various directions, including in Europe. The study of this problem allows us to understand many of the realities of the current life of this state.
Fight for the southern borders
The result of our country's confrontation with the empire was the first war with Turkey, which took place in the 1568-1570s. Then the sultan tried to capture Astrakhan, which belonged to the Muscovite state. At the same time, the construction of a canal between the Volga and the Don began. However, this attempt by the Turkish side to consolidate their positions at the mouth of the first river ended in failure: a Russian detachment sent from the capital forced the enemy to lift the siege, and his fleet was killed in a storm.
The second war with Turkey took place in 1672-1681. Then the ruler of the empire tried to strengthen his position in Right-Bank Ukraine. The hetman was proclaimed a vassal of the Sultan, after a while both started a war against Poland. Then the Muscovite tsar declared war in order to defend his positions inLeft-bank Ukraine. The main struggle unfolded for the capital of Hetman Chigirin, which alternately passed from hand to hand. In the end, the Russian troops were forced out of there, but Moscow retained its former positions, while the Sultan fortified himself in the hetman's part.
Struggle for access to the sea
Turkey's wars with European states were fought in 1686-1700. At this time, the Holy League was formed on the continent to fight together. Our country joined this alliance, and in 1686 and 1689, Russian troops under the command of V. Golitsyn made campaigns in the Crimea, which, however, ended unsuccessfully. Nevertheless, six years later, Peter I captured Azov, which was annexed to the territory of our country.
Turkey's wars with Russia were mainly connected with the desire of the latter to get the right to keep its fleet on the south coast. This was a task of paramount importance for the imperial government, which in 1735 sent Russian troops under the command of B. Minich to the Crimea. At first, the army acted successfully, she managed to capture a number of fortresses, but because of the outbreak of the plague, she was forced to retreat. Events also developed unsuccessfully on the front where Austria acted as an ally of our country, which did not succeed in pushing the Turks from their positions. As a result, Russia did not achieve its goal, although it retained Azov.
Catherine time
Turkish wars in the second half of the 18th century were not so successful for this country. It was in the course of two successful companies that Russiareceived access to the Black Sea and fortified on its coast, having received the right to keep its navy here. It was a great success that cemented the position of the young empire in the southern region. The conflict began because of the claims of the Sultan that the Russian troops crossed the borders of his state. At first, the Russian troops did not act very well and were pushed back. However, in 1770 they managed to reach the Danube, and the Russian fleet won a number of victories at sea. The biggest victory was the transition of the Crimea under the protectorate of Russia. In addition, a number of territories between the rivers went to our country.
Thirteen years later, a new war broke out between states, the results of which consolidated the victories and new territorial acquisitions of our country. According to the Iasi Treaty, the peninsula was finally assigned to the empire, and a number of Danubian principalities also went to it. These two wars strengthened the status of our country as a maritime power. Since then, she has received the right to keep her fleet at sea, has significantly expanded her territories in the south.
Conflicts in the 19th century
Twelve wars between Russia and Turkey were connected with the confrontation for the possession of the southern regions and the sea coast, which was of strategic importance for both powers. At the beginning of the century, the reason for a new confrontation was the intervention of the Turkish side in the internal affairs of the Danubian principalities, whose rulers were removed from power without an agreement with the allies. This step was taken at the instigationthe French government, which expected to pull the forces of the Russian army from the European theater of operations. As a result of long conflicts that lasted for six years, the Turkish side abandoned Bessarabia, and the Danubian principalities received autonomy.
In 1828-1829 there was a new war between states. This time the immediate cause was the struggle of the Greeks for independence. Russia joined the convention of France and England. The powers declared Greece an autonomy, and the eastern coast of the Black Sea went to our country.
Struggle in the middle of the century
The wars between Russia and Turkey continued into the second half of the 19th century. The most serious confrontation occurred in 1853-1856. Nicholas I sought the liberation of the Balkan states from Ottoman domination and therefore, despite the possibility of creating an anti-Russian alliance of the leading European powers, sent troops to the Danubian principalities, in response, the Sultan declared war on our country.
At first, the Russian fleet won, but the next year England and France intervened in the conflict, after which the Russian forces began to suffer defeat. Despite the heroic siege of Sevastopol, the Turks prevailed. The peculiarity of this struggle was that military operations were taking place on the Black Sea coast, and on the Pacific Ocean, and on the White Sea. As a result of the defeat, Russia lost the right to maintain a fleet on the Black Sea coast, and also lost a number of its possessions.
Latest Campaigns
The wars between Russia and Turkey affected the interests of not only these states, but also other powers. The next conflict occurred during the reign of Alexander II. This time, the Russian troops won a series of high-profile victories, as a result of which our country again regained the right to maintain a fleet on the Black Sea, moreover, some territories inhabited by Armenians and Georgians went to our country. The last confrontation took place during the First World War. Despite the fact that the Russian army won a number of victories and advanced deep into the territory, nevertheless, these territories were not annexed to Soviet Russia. The main result of this struggle should be considered the collapse of both empires.
Independence Movement
The Turkish War of Independence continued from 1919-1923. It was headed by Mustafa Kemal, who united the national forces against the invaders, who captured a significant part of the country's territory. This state, as an ally of Germany, found itself in the camp of the losers and was forced to accept the terms of the armistice, according to which the Entente countries occupied its regions. The events began with the occupation of the city of Izmir by Greek troops. Following this, French forces also landed on the peninsula. This caused the rise of the national liberation movement, led by Kemal Ataturk.
Events on the Eastern and Western fronts
Turkish wars, whose history is closely connected with Russia, continued into the 20th century. Newthe government hoped first of all to protect itself from Armenia. The Turks managed to win and sign a friendship treaty with the Soviet authorities. This was a very important event for both states, as they were in political isolation in the international arena. After that, Kemal concentrated all his forces on the liberation of Constantinople, which was occupied by the Allies. The latter tried to form a new government, but they failed, since the bulk of the Turks went over to the side of Ataturk's national liberation front.
War with France
In 1916-1921, Turkish forces opposed the French army, which settled in Cilicia. The struggle went on with varying success, and only after the Greeks were stopped, Kemal moved on to active operations. However, the success was mainly secured by diplomatic negotiations, during which both sides managed to reach an agreement. This became possible due to the fact that French finances were invested in the Turkish economy, and both countries were interested in normalizing relations. The main result of the struggle for independence was the abolition of the Sultan and the transformation of the state into an independent secular republic.
Current situation
The socio-political situation in the country these days turned out to be extremely tense. One of the most acute problems is the issue of the Kurdish population, which has been fighting for the creation of its own state for several decades. Based on recent events, many political scientists and analysts argue that there isreal civil war in Turkey. The situation is also aggravated by the fact that in a country that is a secular state, the position of Islam is still quite strong, and this causes a number of contradictions between the official course and the mood of some part of the population.
Summarizing what has been said, it can be noted that the most interesting fact in the above events is the fact that after the beginning of the 20th century there were no armed conflicts between our country and the Turkish state. Nowadays, the internal situation in the country is causing concern, which gives reason to some experts to say that there is a civil war in Turkey.
