The wars of the 19th century in Russia: an overview

During the 19th century, a large number of important events took place in the Russian Empire. During these hundred years in the state several emperors were replaced. If in the beginning of the 19th century Paul I was ruling, then in the end - already Nicholas II. During this period serfdom was abolished, and the monarchy weakened so much that communist ideals began to gain in popularity, which allowed the Bolsheviks to come to power at the beginning of the next century. In many respects, the wars of the 19th century in Russia contributed to the fall of the authority of the ruling dynasty. In some of them the state managed to win, in others - it was necessary to suffer defeats. However, in most of them, it suffered significant human and material losses.

The wars of the 19th century in Russia: the prehistory

The century under consideration was characterized by a multitude of intrigues and conflicts on the world stage. The most strained in this period were the relations of the Russian Empire with Turkey. Each of the states sought to expand its land and sea borders. During this century, Russia managed to become one of the leaders on the international arena. European states began to watch more and more closely its elevation.

Reasons for confrontation

Consideration of the wars of the 19th century in Russia makes it possible to understand the foreign policy of the country of that period. During this time the country managed to participate in a number of international conflicts. It is possible to single out 15 wars of the 19th century in Russia. Of these, in three she was defeated. This is the war of the Third and Fourth Coalitions. The first occurred in 1805, the second - in 1806-1807. The third defeat is the Crimean War. It lasted from 1853 to 1856 year. In the Anglo-Russian war, a draw happened. Thus, the 19th century was quite successful for Russia.

Brief description of achievements

During this period our power won in 11 wars. Among them:

• The Russo-Persian War. It lasted from 1804 to 1813. Its main goal was to strengthen the position of the Russian Empire in Transcaucasia. During the war, there was a protracted confrontation between the two sides in Northern Azerbaijan. It ended with the signing of the Gulustan peace treaty.
• The Russo-Turkish War of 1806-1812. It will be devoted to the corresponding section.
• The Russian-Swedish war. It lasted two years - from 1808 to 1809th. It is also devoted to one of the following sections of this article.
• War of the Fifth Coalition. It occurred in 1809.
• Patriotic War of 1812. As a result, the army of Napoleon was practically destroyed. It was during her time that the famous battle of Borodino took place.
• War of the Sixth Coalition. It occurred in 1813-1814.
• The Russo-Persian War. It was associated with the need to reflect the aggression provoked by England. Ended with the signing of the Turkmanchai Peace Treaty.
• Russian-Turkish war. It lasted from 1828 to 1829. Russia sought to strengthen its positions in the Balkan region and establish control over the Bosporus and the Dardanelles.
• The Polish Uprising of 1830. Sometimes it is called a civil war in Russia in the 19th century. As a result, the Polish kingdom was declared part of Russia. The national liberation movement in the Right-Bank Ukraine was suppressed.
• Polish uprising in 1863. The nobility was not satisfied with the order established by the Russian Empire on the former lands of the Commonwealth. The uprising was also suppressed. The policy of the Russian Empire has become even more anti-Polish. The insurgents were subjected to executions and repressions.
• Russian-Turkish war. It lasted from 1877 to 1878. Russia sought to restore its influence over Turkey. Ended with the signing of the Saint-Stefan Peace. Subsequently, it was corrected by the Berlin Congress not in favor of Russia, although the latter won in this war.

1806-1812 years

The main goal of the first Russian-Turkish war is to strengthen the positions in the Transcaucasus and the Balkan region. The reason for it was the violation of the Ottoman Empire arrangements for the movement in the government in Wallachia and Moldova. In addition, there was a threat of the invasion of the Napoleonic army. All this led to the fact that Russia needed to quickly resolve the issue with the southern lands. In 1806, Russia occupied several Turkish fortresses without a fight and defeated the fleet. In 1809, the first attempt was made to conclude a peace. However, the conditions did not suit the nature of Alexander I. Therefore, the war continued. Kutuzov managed to win in it. The Russian-Turkish war of 1806-1812 ended with the signing of the Bucharest peace treaty with the Ottoman Empire. However, he was short-lived.

Already in 1828 the Great Port announced that it no longer depends on Russia. And she stressed that she forbade the latter to enter the Bosporus. Since the troops of Russia at that time were in Bessarabia, then there began the first military action. And again the Russians won. But this did not stop the Ottoman Empire from new conflicts with them.

The Russo-Swedish War of 1808-1809

Each side sought to control the Finnish and the Gulf of Bothnia alone. This is the last of the Russian-Swedish wars. In it, Russia was supported by such states as France and Denmark. It lasted six months and three weeks. The Friedrichsgam Peace Treaty has established new territories for the Russian Empire. It included the Grand Duchy of Finland.