Мотивите на император Александър ІІ да обяви война на Турция в 1877 г.
The Motives of Emperor Alexander II to Declare War on Turkey in 1877

Summary/Abstract: The paper discusses and analyzes a unique historical document, unknown so far, about the motives that have forced the Russian Emperor Alexander II to declare undesired war to the Ottoman Empire in 1877. It is about the report of February 7 of that year, made by the Minister of War D. A. Milyutin by order of Alexander II after the failure of all diplomatic efforts for a peaceful solution of the Eastern crisis. The document reveals that at that time Russia was not ready for war and was trying by all means to avoid it. At the same time, the document makes it clear that Russia would risk waging a war in order to assert its reputation as a defender and protector of Balkan Orthodox Christians. This precious reputation had been acquired at the cost of much Russian blood and victims in several wars in the past years. The protection of this reputation actually meant protection of the existing Russian positions and influence in the Balkans. In this regard, for the tsarist government the war acquired a defensive nature which forced the Tsar to take the risk. These are the considerations that motivated the decision of the ruler to launch a new war against the Ottoman Empire.

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