The Untold Story: The Russo Turkish War Of 1877 1878 And The Treaty Of Berlin Utah In Middle East

War has always been a gruesome part of human history, shaping empires and altering the course of nations. One such war, which often goes unnoticed in today's world, is the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. This conflict between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire had a profound impact on the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East. Today, we delve into the untold story of this war and explore the significance of the Treaty of Berlin, Utah, in shaping the future of the region.

The Background

By the mid-19th century, the once mighty Ottoman Empire was experiencing a decline. Its influence over the Balkans was diminishing, and numerous nationalist movements had sprung up, seeking autonomy or independence. Russia, on the other hand, had long held territorial ambitions in the region and was quick to exploit the Ottoman Empire's weakened state. This led to a series of conflicts between the two powers, culminating in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878.

The Conflict Unfolds

In April 1877, Russia declared war on the Ottoman Empire, citing the mistreatment of Orthodox Christians in the Balkans as a justification. The Russian forces, led by General Mikhail Skobelev, launched a series of offensives and achieved stunning victories, culminating in the Siege of Plevna. The Ottoman Empire, struggling to maintain its defense, sought support from its allies in Europe.

War and Diplomacy: The Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 and the Treaty of Berlin (Utah series in Middle East studies)

by M Hakan Yavuz (Kindle Edition)

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European Intervention and the Treaty of Berlin

The mounting casualties and stalemate on the Eastern Front prompted European powers to intervene and negotiate a peaceful resolution. The Congress of Berlin, held in 1878, aimed to settle the territorial disputes and shape a new diplomatic landscape in the Balkans.

The Treaty of Berlin, signed on July 13, 1878, dismembered the Ottoman Empire and led to the creation of several independent states, including Serbia, Montenegro, and Romania. The treaty also recognized the autonomy of Bulgaria, marking a significant increase in the influence of Russia and Austria-Hungary over the region.

The Impact on the Middle East

The Treaty of Berlin had far-reaching consequences for the Middle East. It solidified the declining power of the Ottoman Empire and allowed for further European interference in the region. The division of territories and border redrawing sowed the seeds for future conflicts, as ethnic and religious divisions were not adequately addressed.

Furthermore, the Treaty of Berlin set the stage for increased involvement of major powers in the Middle East, as they sought to protect their political and economic interests. The Ottoman Empire's loss of land and diminishing influence created a power vacuum, which was eagerly filled by European colonial powers.

Utah, the Unexpected Player

While "Utah" may seem like an unlikely participant in discussions about the Treaty of Berlin, its connection to the Middle East lies in the repercussions of the war. The Treaty of Berlin opened new trade routes and opportunities for Utah, especially in the sale of goods and resources to the Middle East.

The treaty also had profound implications for the religious landscape of the region. As European powers gained influence, they sought to protect their respective religious communities. For Utah, a predominantly Mormon state, this meant increased support for missionaries and the spread of Mormonism in the Middle East.

The Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 and the subsequent Treaty of Berlin marked a turning point in the history of the Middle East. The war shattered the Ottoman Empire's grip on the region, leading to the establishment of new nations and increased European dominance. Utah, an unexpected player in this story, found new economic opportunities and religious influence in the wake of the war. Understanding the impact of this conflict and treaty is crucial in comprehending the complex geopolitics of the Middle East.

War and Diplomacy: The Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 and the Treaty of Berlin (Utah series in Middle East studies)

by M Hakan Yavuz (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2709 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	818 pages

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Combining different disciplinary perspectives, War and Diplomacy argues that the key events that portended the beginning of the end of the multiethnic Ottoman Empire were the The Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 and the Treaty of Berlin. The essays in this volume analyze how the war and the treaty permanently transformed the political landscape both in the Balkans and in the Caucasus. The treaty marked the end of Ottoman hegemony in the Balkans by formally recognizing the independence or de facto sovereignty of Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro, and the autonomy of Bulgaria. 

By introducing the unitary nation-state as the new organizing concept, the treaty planted the seeds of future conflict, from the Balkan Wars of 1912–1913 and the First World War to the recent civil wars and ethnic cleansing in former Yugoslavia. The magnitude of the defeat of the Ottoman Empire by Russia—and eventually by the other great powers—and the human, material, and territorial losses that followed proved fatal to the project of Muslim liberal reform and modernization that the Ottoman state had launched in the middle of the 19th century.

War and Diplomacy offers the first comparative examination of the treaty and its socio-political implications for the Balkans and the Caucasus by utilizing the theoretical tools and approaches of political science, sociology, history, and international relations. Representing the latest scholarship in the field of study, this volume documents the proceedings of a conference on the Treaty of Berlin that was held at the University of Utah in 2010. It provides an important contribution to understanding the historical background of these events. 

War and Diplomacy documents the proceedings of the first of three conferences:

1878 Treaty of Berlin (in 2010)

Balkan Wars (in 2011)

World War I (in 2012)

Proceedings of the final two conferences will also be published by the University of Utah Press.