The Caucasus Front in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78
The Caucasus Front in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78

Summary/Abstract: The Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 was one of the most important events of the 19th century that decisively influenced European history. Its relevance could be interpreted from multiple perspectives. To some extent, it was one of the most complex events to have implications for the international relations at the end of the 19th century. The causes of this war were not new features, especially to what regards the Balkans’ history of the last centuries and the competition between the Russian and Ottoman Empires. Within this context, the war of 1877-1878 could be seen as the final part of a long conflict with the fight between these two competitors having at stake the control and influence in South-Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region. From this perspective, the Russo-Turkish War of 1877 should be seen in conjunction with previous encounters, especially the Crimean War, in which Russia suffered a heavy defeat, while the Ottoman Empire consolidated its position in this area. The Treaty of Paris of 1856 guaranteed the territorial integrity of the Ottoman Empire. In the coming decades, Russia’s diplomacy focused on reversing the outcome of the Crimean War and retaking positions in the Balkans and Caucasus, which ultimately lead to the new conflict of 1877.

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