The most famous foreign policy event under the Emperor Alexandra II was the Russian-Turkish war of 1877 1878, which was successfully completed for our country.
The so-called Eastern Question of the struggle of the Slavic peoples of the Ottoman Empire remained open to obtain independence. At the end of the Crimean War, the foreign policy climate was worse in the Balkan Peninsula. Russia was concerned about the weak protection of southern frontiers near the Black Sea, and the inability to defend its political interests in Turkey.

Causes of war

On the eve of the Russian-Turkish campaign, most of the Balkan peoples began to express discontent, as they were almost in five hundred years of grid over Turkish Sultan. This oppression expressed in economic and political discrimination, imposing someone else's ideology and the widespread Islamization of Orthodox Christians. Russia, being an Orthodox state, in every way supported such a national lift of Bulgarians, Serbs and Romanians. This became one of the main factors predetermined the beginning of the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. The situation in Western Europe was the basis for the collision of the two sides. Germany (Austria-Hungary), as a new strong state, began to claim the domination of the sheds of the Black Sea, and in every way tried to weaken the power of England, France and Turkey. This coincided with the interests of Russia, so Germany became her leading ally.

Occasion

A stumbling block between the Russian Empire and the Turkish state was the conflict of the South Slavic population with the Turkish authorities in 1875-1876. More precisely, it was antiturketic uprisings in Serbia, Bosnia, and later the joining Montenegro. Islamic country suppressed these performances with the most cruel methods. The Russian Empire, who protrudes the patron saint of all Slavic ethnic groups, could not leave these events without attention, and in the spring of 1877 declared Turkey War. It was from these actions that the conflict of the Russian and Ottoman Empires began.

Events

In April 1877, the Russian army crossed the Danube River and went on the side of Bulgaria, who at the time of actions belonged to the Ottoman Empire. With almost no special resistances by the beginning of July, Shipkin Pass was busy. The answer to this Turkish side served as an army led by Suleiman Pasha to take these territories. This is where the most bloody events of the Russian-Turkish war unfold. The fact is that the bike pass was of great military importance, control over him provided the free promotion of Russians to the north of Bulgaria. The enemy significantly exceeded the forces of the Russian army in both weapons and human resources. From the Russian side, General N. Stoles was appointed Commander-in-chief. By the end of 1877, Shipkin Pass was taken by Russian soldiers.
But, despite the heavy lesions, the Turks were in no hurry to give up. They focused the main forces in the Fortress of the Pleven. Osada Plevna turned out to be a turning point in all armed battles of the Russian-Turkish war. Here, luck was on the side of Russian soldiers. Also on the side of the Russian Empire successfully fought Bulgarian troops. Commander-in-Chief were: M.D. Scobel, Prince Nikolai Nikolaevich and Romanian King Kalol I.
Also in this stage of the Russian-Turkish war were taken fortresses Ardagan, Kare, Batum, Erzurum; Strengthemon Turk Shaynovo.
In early 1878, Russian soldiers approached the capital of Turkey by Constantinople. Before the mighty and militant Ottoman Empire could not confront the Russian army and in February of the same year requested peace negotiations.

RESULTS

The final stage of the Russian-Turkish conflict was the adoption of the San Stefan peace treaty on 19.02.1878. According to its conditions, the northern part of Bulgaria received independence (autonomous principality), the independence of Serbia, Montenegro, Romania was confirmed. Russia received the southern part of Bessarabia with the fortresses of Ardagan, Kars and Batum. Turkey also undertook to pay the Russian Empire of Contribution in the amount of 1.410 billion rubles.

Only Russia was satisfied with the result of this peace treaty, all the rest, he categorically did not suit, in particular, Western European countries (England, Austria-Hungary, etc.). Therefore, in 1878, the Berlin Congress was organized, at which all the conditions of the previous peace treaty were revised. The Macedonian Republic and the eastern region of Romania returned to the Turks; England, who did not participate in the war, received Cyprus; Germany got some of the land owned by the San Stefan Treaty of Montenegro; Montenegro is also completely deprived of his own military fleet; Some acquisitions of Russia crossed the Ottoman Empire.

Berlin Congress (TRACTAT) significantly changed the initial placement of forces. But, despite some territorial concessions of Russia, the result for our country was victory.

The main causes of war 1877-1878

1) exacerbation of the Eastern Question and the desire of ROSI play an active role in international politics;

2) Support Russia of the liberation movement of the Balkan peoples against the Ottoman Empire

3) Turkey's refusal to satisfy Russian ultimatum on the cessation of hostilities in Serbia

The exacerbation of the Eastern Question and the beginning of the war.

Military course

Results of the Russian-Turkish War:

1. The most significant foreign policy event of the Epoch of the Board of Alexander II became the Russian-Turkish war of 1877 - 1878, which ended in Russia's victory. As a result of victory in this war:

- Prestige has increased and the positions of Russia have strengthened, stunned after the Crimean War of 1853 - 1856;

- The peoples of the Balkans were liberated from nearly 500-year-old Turkish yoke.

The main factors predetermined Russian-Turkish war 1877 - 1878:

- the growth of the power of Russia as a result of conducted bourgeois reforms;

- the desire to return the positions lost as a result of the Crimean War;

- a change in the international situation in the world due to the advent of a single German state - Germany;

- the increase in the national liberation struggle of the Balkan peoples against Turkish yoke.

On the eve of the war, a significant part of the Balkan peoples (Serbs, Bulgarians, Romanians) was located near the Turkish IG, which was the economic exploitation of these peoples, preventing the formation of their statehood and normal independent development, the suppression of culture, imposing an alien culture and religion (for example, Islamization Bosnians and parts of Bulgarians). In the mid-1870s. In the Balkans there were widespread discontent with Turkish ig and a high national climb, which Russia as the leading Slavic state, applying to the patronage to all Slavs, ideologically supported. Another factor predetermined the war was the change in the situation in Europe in connection with the emergence of a new strong state in the center of Europe - Germany. Germany, United O. Background Bismarck in 1871 and defeated France during the war of 1870 - 1871, hardly tried to undermine the Anglo-Franco-Turkish system of European domination. This corresponded to the interests of Russia. Taking advantage of the defeat from Prussia France - the main ally of England and the opponent of Russia in the Crimean War, Russia in 1871 was made the abolition of a number of conditions of the humiliating Paris Treaty of 1856. As a result of this diplomatic victory, the neutral status of the Black Sea was canceled and Russia returned to himself the right to restore the Black Sea Fleet .

2. The reason for the new Russian-Turkish war was the antitarying uprising in Bosnia and Serbia in 1875 - 1876. Performing extensive allied obligations to the "fraternal peoples", Russia in April 1877. Announced Turkish War. Turkey, deprived of the help of the main allies - England and France, could not resist Russia:

- Military actions developed for Russia successfully both in Europe and in the Caucasus - the war was a momentous and ended for 10 months;

- Russian army defeated Turkish troops in the battle of Pulve (Bulgaria) and Shipkin's pass;

- Kare, Batum and Ardan in the Caucasus fortresses were taken;

- In February 1878, the Russian army approached Constantinople (Istanbul), and Turkey was forced to ask for peace and go for serious concessions.

3. In 1878, wanting to stop the war, Turkey in a hurry signed a San Stefan peace treaty with Russia. According to this Agreement:

- Turkey provided the complete independence of Serbia, Montenegro and Romania;

- Bulgaria and Bosnia and Herzegovina remained as part of Turkey, but received wide autonomy;

- Bulgaria and Bosnia and Herzegovina were obliged to pay Turkey Dan in return to the complete demilitarization of these autonomies - Turkish troops from Bulgaria and Bosnia and Herzegovina were displayed, and the Turkish fortresses were destroyed - the actual presence of the Turks in these countries was terminated;

- Russia was returned to Kara and Batum, it was allowed to culturally patronize Bulgarians and Bosnians.

4. The results of the San Stefan peace treaty, a sharply strengthened position of Russia, all leading European countries were unhappy, including the main ally of Russia in Europe of the 1870s. - Germany. In 1878, Berlin Congress on the Balkan settlement was convened in Berlin. The delegation of Russia, Germany, England, France, Austria-Hungary, Italy and Turkey took part in the Congress. The purpose of the Congress was to develop a pan-European solution for the Balkans. Under the pressure of the leading countries in Europe, Russia was forced to give up and abandon the San Stefan peace treaty. Instead, a Berlin peace treaty was signed, which significantly reduced the results of the victory for Russia. On the Berlin Treaty:

- the territory of the Bulgarian autonomy has decreased by about 3 times;

- Bosnia and Herzegovina occupied by Austria-Hungary and was part of her composition;

- Macedonia and Eastern Romania returned Turkey.

5. Despite Russia's concessions to European countries, win in the war 1877 - 1878. There was a great historical meaning:

- the expulsion of Turkey from the European continent began;

- Serbia, Montenegro, Romania, and in the future - Bulgaria, were released from 500-year-old Turkish yoke and gained independence;

- Russia finally recovered from defeat in the Crimean War;

- the international prestige of Russia and Emperor Alexander II, who received a nickname liberator was restored;

- This war has become the last major Russian-Turkish conflict - Russia finally gained in the Black Sea.

Russian-Turkish War 1877-1878 Minimum for the exam.

Map: Russian-Turkish War 1877-1878

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 mercability with which the Bulgarian rebellion was suppressed, 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, in such a short time 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, the current Russian army, which appeared at that time about 314 thousand soldiers, was preparing to move again.

At the same time, the fighting of Serbia resumes the ports.

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 the history of the Russian state, a considerable number of historians were engaged in its study. 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 ending the victory of the Russian Empire and its allies, had a tremendous impact primarily on the economy. An important role 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 the success of the Military reform of Alexander II, both in the organizational plan and in technical.

Chapel-monument to the heroes of Plevna, Moscow

Wars do not flare out suddenly, even treacherous. More often a bonfire first tweets, gaining inner strength, and then flashes - war begins. Glowing bone for the Russian-Turkish war 1977-78 g. There were events in the Balkans.

Prerequisites for war

In the summer of 1875, an antitarying uprising broke out in South Herzegovina. Peasants, mostly Christians, paid huge taxes to the Turkish state. In 1874, a natural tax was officially considered 12.5% \u200b\u200bof the harvest assembled, and taking into account the abuse of the local Turkish administration, it reached 40%.

Began bloody clashes between Christians and Muslims. Ottoman troops intervened in the case, but they met unexpected resistance. All the male population of the Herzocyna armed, left their homes and went to the mountains. Old men, women and children to avoid the magnitude massacre, fled to the neighboring Montenegro and Dalmatia. Turkish authorities could not suppress the uprising. From South Herzegovina, it soon moved to the North, and from there to Bosnia, the Christian residents of which part fled to the border Austrian oblasts, and the part of the Muslims also entered the struggle. Blood flowed by the river in the daily clashes of the rebels with Turkish troops and with local Muslim residents. There was no mercy to anyone, the struggle went to death.

In Bulgaria, Christians had to be even harder, as they suffered from Muslim Highlanders, moved from the Caucasus with the promotion of Turks: the mountaineers robbed the local population, not wanting to work. Bulgarians also raised the uprising after the dukewife, but it was suppressed by the Turkish authorities - over 30 thousand civilians were destroyed.

K. Makovsky "Bulgarian Martyrs"

Enlightened Europe understood that it was time to intervene in the Balkan affairs and protect the peaceful population. But by and large, this "defense" was reduced only to calls about humanism. In addition, each of the European countries had their predatory plans: England was jariously watched not to give Russia to strengthen influence in world politics, as well as not to lose its influence in Constantinople, Egypt. But at the same time, she would like to fight together with Russia against Germany, because The British Prime Minister Dizraeli said that "Bismarck is truly a new Bonaparte, he must be curd. A union is possible between Russia and us for this particular purpose. "

Austria-Hungary was afraid of the territorial expansion of some Balkan countries, so she sought not to miss Russia there, which expressed a desire to help the Slavic peoples of the Balkan. In addition, Austria-Hungary did not want to miss control over the mouth of the Danube. At the same time, this country led the expectant policy in the Balkans, since he was afraid of war with Russia alone.

France and Germany were preparing for the war among themselves for Alsace and Lorraine. But Bismarck understood that Germany would not be able to lead the war on two fronts (with Russia and France), so he agrees to actively support Russia if it guarantees Germany with the possession of Alsas and Lorraine.

Thus, by 1877, in Europe there was a situation when active actions in the Balkans on the protection of Christian peoples could only conduct Russia. In front of Russian diplomacy stood a difficult task to take into account all possible acquisitions and losses in the next perspective of the geographical map of Europe: to bargain, to give up, foresee, to put an ultimatum ...

The Russian guarantee of Germany on Alsace and Lorraine would destroy the barrel with gunpowder in the center of Europe. Moreover, France was too dangerous and unreliable ally of Russia. In addition, Russia was disturbed by the Straits of the Mediterranean Sea ... With England, it was possible to do more hard. But, as historians believe, Alexander II weakly understood in politics, and Chancellor Gorchakov was already old - they did contrary to common sense, as both laid out before England.

On June 20, 1876, Serbia and Montenegro announced Turkish War (in the hope of supporting the rebels in Bosnia and Herzevin). In Russia, this decision was supported. About 7 thousand Russian volunteers went to Serbia. At the head of the Serbian army was the hero of the Turkestan war General Chernyaev. On October 17, 1876, the Serbian army was completely broken.

On October 3, Alexander II collected a secret meeting, which was attended by Tsarevich Alexander, Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich and a number of ministers. It was decided that alongside it is necessary to continue diplomatic activities, but at the same time start preparing for war with Turkey. The main purpose of military action should be Constantinople. To move towards him, mobilize four buildings, which are moving to the Danube near the Zimnina, will move to Adrianopol, and from there to Constantinople on one of two lines: Systosovo - Shipka, or Rushchuk - Drain. The commander of the current troops were appointed: on Danube - the Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich, and behind the Caucasus - the Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich. The solution to the issue is to be or not to be war - they are dependent on the outcome of diplomatic negotiations.

Russian generals as if not felt danger. The phrase was universally transmitted: "There will be nothing to do with the Danube and four buildings." Therefore, instead of universal, only partial mobilization was started. As if it was not going to fight with a huge Ottoman Empire. At the end of September, mobilization began: 225 thousand spare soldiers were called upon, 33 thousand preferential Cossacks, and 70 thousand horses were supplied by equestrian mobilization.

Fighting on the Black Sea

By 1877, Russia possessed a rather strong fleet. At first, Turkey was very afraid of the Russian Atlantic squadron. But then Ospella and began hunting for Russian commercial ships in the Mediterranean Sea. Russia answered it only notes of protest.

On April 29, 1877, the Turkish squadron landed 1,000 well-armed horses near the village of Gudauta. A part of the local population relate to Russia has joined the landing. Then there were bombing and shelling Sukhum, as a result, the Russian troops were forced to leave the city and depart from the Madzhar River. On May 7-8, Turkish ships were cruised along the 150-kilometer portion of the Russian coast from Adler to Ochamchir and fired a coast. With the Turkish steamers, 1,500 potsents landed on the shore.

By May 8, the entire coast from Adler to the Kodor River was covered by the uprising. From May to September, Turkish ships were constantly maintained by the fire of Turks and Abkhaz in the area of \u200b\u200bthe uprising. The main base of the Turkish fleet was Batum, but part of the ships from May to August was based in Sukhum.

The actions of the Turkish fleet can be called successful, but it was tactical success in the secondary theater of hostilities, as the main war was in the Balkans. They continued to fire the coastal cities of Evpatoria, Feodosia, Anapa. The Russian fleet answered fire, but rather sluggish.

Martial Actions on the Danube

The victory over Turkey was impossible without forcing the Danube. The Turks perfectly understood the meaning of the Danube as a natural barrier for the Russian army, so since the beginning of the 60s, they began to create strong river flotilla and the modernization of Danube fortresses - the most powerful of them were five. Commanded the Turkish Flotilla of Hussein Pasha. Without destruction or at least neutralization of the Turkish flotilla on the forcing the Danube there was nothing to think. The Russian command decided to do this with the help of mines of barriers, boats with sixth and towed mines and heavy artillery. Heavy artillery had to suppress enemy artillery and destroy the Turkish fortresses. Preparation for this began in the fall of 1876. From November 1876, 14 steam boats and 20 rowing ships were delivered to Chisinau on land. The war in this region was long, protracted, only by the beginning of 1878 most of the Danube area was cleared of the Turks. They have only a few of the fortifications and fortresses from each other.

Battle for Plevna

V. Vereshchagin "Before attack." Under the Plevnaya "

The next task was to take anyone who does not protect the spine. This city had strategic importance as a node of roads leading to Sofia, Catcher, Tarnovo, Shipkin Pass. In addition, the advanced connectors reported on the move towards the Pleven of the big strength of the enemy. These were the troops of Osman-Pasha, urgently deployed from Western Bulgaria. Originally Osman Pasha had 17 thousand people with 30 field weapons. So far, orders have been transferred to the Russian army and coordinate the actions, Osman Pasha troops occupied the Pulve and began to build fortifications. When the Russian troops were kept, finally, to Pulven, they met Turkish fire.

Under the Pullen to July, 26 thousand people and 184 field cannons were concentrated. But the plevnu did not mind the Russian troops, so the Turks are freely supplied with ammunition and food.

She ended with a catastrophe for Russians - 168 officers and 7167 ordinary officers were killed and injured, while the losses of the Turks did not exceed 1,200 people. Artillery acted sluggishly and for the whole battle spent only 4073 shells. After that, panic began in the Russian rear. The Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich appealed to the Romanian king Karl for help. Alexander II, depressed "Second Plevnaya," announced additional mobilization.

Watching the storm profits personally Alexander II, Romanian King Karl and Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich. As a result, he was lost and this fight - troops suffered huge losses. Turks beat the assault. Russians lost killed and injured two generals, 295 officers and 12,471 soldiers, their allies Romana lost about three thousand people. Only about 16 thousand against three thousand Turkish losses.

Defense Shipkin Pass

V. Vereshchagin "After the attack. Dressing point under the splena"

The shortest road between the northern part of Bulgaria and Turkey was going through Shipkin Pass. All other paths were uncomfortable for the passage of troops. The Turks understood the strategic importance of the pass, and instructed to defend his six-year-old Chalassi Pasha detachment at nine guns. To capture the pass, the Russian command has formed two detachments - advanced in 10 battalions, 26 squadrons and hundreds at 14 mountain and 16 horse guns under the command of Lieutenant General Gurko, and the Gabrovsky detachment of 3 battalions and 4 hundred at 8 field and two equestrian guns Under the command of the Major General of the Derozhinsky.

Russian troops occupied a position in the form of an incorrect quadrangle stretched along the Gabrov road.

On August 9, the Turks took the first assault of Russian positions. Russian batteries literally covered the Turks with shrapnel and forced to roll back.

From 21 to 26 August, the Turks undertake continuous attacks, but everything was in vain. "We will stand until the last, I will give bones, but I will not surrender positions!" - He said at the military council, the head of the Shipkin's position General of Tabletov. The fierce battles on the chips did not stop the whole week, but the Turks failed to advance either on the meter.

N. Dmitriev-Orenburg "Shipka"

On August 10-14, Turkish attacks alternated with the counterattacks of the Russians, but the Russians kept and beat the attacks. Shipkinsky "Seat" lasted for more than five months, from July 7 to December 18, 1877.

In the mountains, a harsh winter was installed with twenty-degree frost and blizzards. From mid-November, the snow pounded the Balkan passes, and the troops were brutally suffering from the cold. In the entire detachment of Radetsky from September 5 to December 24, the combat loss was 700 people, while 9,500 people were frozen and were frozen.

One of the spikes defense participants wrote in his diary:

Strong frost and terrible blizzard: the number of frostbed, reaches terrifying sizes. There is no way to deal with fire. Sintels soldiers were covered with a thick icy crust. Many people cannot bend the hand, the movements have become very difficult, and the fallen can not rise without an outsider. The snow falls asleep them for some three or four minutes. Shinels froze so much that their floors are not bend, but break. People refuse to eat food, are collected by groups and are in constant movement in order to warm up a little. From frost and blizzard there is no place to hide. The hands of the soldiers adhered to the trunks of guns and guns.

Despite all the difficulties, the Russian troops continued to hold Shipkin Pass, and Radetsky had always answered all the requests of the command: "Everything is calm on the pin."

V. Vereshchagin "All calmly ..."

Russian troops, holding Shipkin, switched the Balkans through other passes. These were very heavy transitions, especially for artillery: the horses fell and stumbled, stopping all the movement, so they were straightened, and all the weapons soldiers carried on themselves. They remained for sleep and rest for 4 hours a day.

On December 23, General Gurko without a fight took Sofia. The city was very fortified, but the Turks did not defend themselves and fled.

The transition of Russians through the Balkans was overwhelmed by the Turks, they began hasty retreat to Adrianopol, so that they would strengthen and delay the offensive of Russians. At the same time, they appealed to England with a request to help the peaceful settlement of their relations with Russia, but Russia rejected the proposal of the London Cabinet, answering that if Turkey would please, she must ask for a mercy.

The Turks began to hastily retreat, and the Russians were catching up and rowed them. Gurko's army joined the Avangard Skobelev, who correctly appreciated the military situation and moved to Adrianopol. This brilliant military raid decided the fate of the war. Russian troops violated all the strategic plans of Turkey:

V. Vereshchagin "Snow Trenchs on Shipka"

they were furious on all sides, including from the rear. Fully demoralized Turkish army appealed to the Russian commander-in-chief Great Prince Nikolai Nikolayevich with a request for truce. Constantinople and the Dardanelles Strait area was already almost in the hands of Russians, as England intervened, inciting Austria to break relations with Russia. Alexander II began to give contradictory orders: then to occupy Constantinople, then wait. Russian troops stood from the city in 15 versts, and the Turks of the time began to increase their hand in the area of \u200b\u200bConstantinople. At this time, the British entered Dardanelles. The Turks understood that they could only stop the disintegration of his empire.

Russia imposed Turkey a world, unprofitable to both states. The peace treaty was signed on February 19, 1878 in the town of San Stefano near Constantinople. San Stefan agreement has more than double expanded the territory of Bulgaria compared to the borders scheduled for the Constantinople conference. She passed a significant part of the Aegean coast. Bulgaria became a state, stretching from the Danube in the north to the Aegean Sea in the south. From the Black Sea in the east to Albanian mountains in the West. Turkish troops lost the right to remain within Bulgaria. For two years she should have occupied the Russian army.

Monument "Spoon Ships"

The results of the Russian-Turkish war

San Stefan agreement provided for the complete independence of Montenegro, Serbia and Romania, providing the Montenegro of the port on the Adriatic, and Romanian principality -severny Dobrurch, the return of Russia of South-West Bessarabia, the transfer of Karsa, Ardagan, Bayazet and Batum, as well as some territorial acquisitions for Serbia and Montenegro. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, reforms were to be implemented in the interests of the Christian population, as in Crete, in Epiro and Fessaly. Turkey was supposed to pay the contribution of 1 billion 410 million rubles. However, most of this amount was covered at the expense of territorial concessions from Turkey. Actual payment was subject to 310 million rubles. The question of the Black Sea Straits in San Stefano was not discussed, which indicates a complete misunderstanding of Alexander II, Gorchakov and other ruling people of military-political and economic importance for the country.

In Europe, the San Stefan Agreement was condemned, and Russia made the following error: agreed to his revision. Congress opened on June 13, 1878 in Berlin. It was attended by countries that did not participate in this war: Germany, England, Austria-Hungary, France, Italy. Balkan countries arrived in Berlin, but were not participants in the Congress. According to the decisions taken in Berlin, the territorial acquisitions of Russia have drove to Kars, Ardagan and Batum. The Bayazetsky District and Armenia to Saganaluga were returned to Turkey. The territory of Bulgaria was twice. Particularly unpleasant for Bulgar was that they were deprived of exit to the Aegean Sea. But the substantial territorial acquisitions received countries who did not participate in the war: Austria-Hungary received in the Office of Bosnia and Herzegovina, England - Island of Cyprus. Cyprus has strategic importance in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. For more than 80 years, the British used it after that for their purposes, and several English bases and today remain there.

This ended the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-78, which brought a lot of blood and suffering to the Russian people.

As they say, the winners everyone is forgiven, and everyone puts losers. Therefore, Alexander II, despite the abolition of the serfdom, he signed his sentenced through the organization "People's Volia".

N. Dmitriev-Orenburg "Capture of Grivitsky Reduta under the Pulna"

Heroes of the Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878

"White General"

Ppm Skobeliev was a strong person, a volitional man. "White General" called him not only because he wore a white twentieth, a cap and piled on a white horse, but also for the purity of the soul, sincerity and honesty.

His life is a vivid example of patriotism. In just 18 years, he passed a glorious routing path from the officer to the general, became a cavalier of many orders, including the highest - St. George of the 4th, 3rd and 2nd degrees. Especially widely and comprehensively taking the "White General" was manifested during the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. At first, Skobelev was at the headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief, then he was appointed head of the headquarters of the Caucasus Cossack Division, commanded the Cossack Brigade at the second assault of the Pleven and a separate detachment, mastered by catching. During the third assault, he successfully led his squad and managed to break through to the Pulven, but was not in a timely manner supported by the command. Then, the commander of the 16th Infantry Division, participated in the blocade of the Pleven and when moving through the Imitli Pass, made a decisive contribution to the fateful victory, won in the battle at Shipka-Shainovo, as a result of which a strong grouping of selected Turkish troops was eliminated, a breach in enemy was educated Defense and opened the road to Adrianopol, which was soon taken.

In February 1878, Squarev took San Stefano under Istanbul, thereby putting a point in the war. All this created a great popularity to General in Russia, even greater - in Bulgaria, where the memory of him "for 2007 is immortalized in the names of 382 squares, streets and established monuments."

General I.V. Gurko

Joseph Vladimirovich Gurko (Romeiko-Gurko) (1828 - 1901) - Russian General Field Marshal, the most famous thanks to its victories in the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878.

Born in the Novogorne in the family of General V.I. Gurko.

Having waited for the fall of the Plevna, Gurko in mid-December moved further and in the terrible Study and in Burana again passed through the Balkans.

During the hike, Gurko filed an example of personal endurance, cheerfulness and energy, making along with ordinary all the difficulties of the transition, personally led the approach and the descent of artillery in the icing mountain paths, encouraged the soldier with a living word, spent the night at the open-air fire, was satisfied, as they , crumbs. After the 8-day heavy transition, Gurko went down to the Sofia Valley, moved to the West and December 19 after a stubborn battle mastered the fortified position of the Turks. Finally, on January 4, 1878, Russian troops were liberated by Sofia under the leadership of Gurko.

For the organization of further defense of the country, Suleiman Pasha led significant reinforcements of the Shakira Pasha army from the East Front, but Gurko was broken in three-day battle on January 2-4 at Plovdiv). January 4, Plovdiv was released.

Without losing time, Gurko moved a cavalry detachment of Storm, who quickly took it, opening the way to Constantinople. In February, 1878 troops under the command of Gurko took the place of San Stefano in the Western suburb of Constantinople, where February 19 and was signed by a San Stefan peace treaty, which put an end to the 500-year-old Turkish IGU in Bulgaria.