Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774)

A war between the Russian and Ottoman empires from 1768 to 1774, ending in Russian victory, territorial gains, and expanded influence around the Black Sea.

Battle of Chesma: A 1770 naval battle in which Russian forces destroyed much of the Ottoman fleet in Chesma Bay. This Russian victory weakened Ottoman sea power and opened the Aegean to Russian operations.
Russo-Ottoman Wars: A series of wars fought between the Russian and Ottoman empires from the seventeenth through the early twentieth centuries. The 1768–1774 conflict continued their long struggle for influence around the Black Sea.
Black Sea: An inland sea connecting southeastern Europe and western Asia through the Bosporus and Dardanelles. The treaty gave Russia greater access and influence around this strategically contested sea.
Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca: The 1774 peace treaty that ended the Russo-Turkish War and confirmed major Russian gains. Its ambiguous provisions became a basis for later Russian claims to protect Ottoman Christians.
Battle of Kagul: A 1770 battle in which a smaller Russian army defeated a much larger Ottoman force near the Kagul River. Its outcome helped secure Russia’s position in the Danubian principalities.
Russian Empire: A Eurasian empire ruled by the Russian monarchs from 1721 until the 1917 revolution. Catherine II’s government sought to extend Russian power southward at Ottoman expense.
Russian annexation of Crimea: Russia’s incorporation of the Crimean Peninsula in 1783, after the Crimean Khanate’s nominal independence from the Ottoman Empire. The war’s settlement weakened Ottoman control over Crimea, a change Russia later turned into annexation.
Eastern Orthodox Church: A communion of Christian churches that traces its traditions to the early church and follows Eastern Orthodox theology and worship. The treaty’s provisions concerning Orthodox Christians gave Russia a lasting diplomatic opening in Ottoman affairs.
Russian Mediterranean Expedition: A Russian naval campaign in the Mediterranean during the Russo-Turkish War of 1768–1774. It carried the war far from Russia and culminated in the destruction of the Ottoman fleet at Chesma.
Ottoman Empire: A multiethnic empire centered in Anatolia and ruling territories across southeastern Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Its contest with Russia over the Black Sea and southeastern Europe formed the war’s central rivalry.

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