Paris Peace Treaty of 1856: conditions and cancellation

The Russian-English world, the Treaty of Paris or the Paris Peace Treaty of 1856 - these are the names of the document that ended the Crimean War of 1853-1856.

The contract was signed at the Paris Congress, which was officially opened on February 13. The work was attended by the Ottoman Empire, England, Sardinia, Prussia, Austria and France, on the one hand, and Russia on the other.

During the years 1856-1871. The Russian Empire fought to lift restrictions on this agreement. The government did not like the fact that the border of the Black Sea remains open for sudden precipitation. After long negotiations, the incomplete cancellation of the articles of the Paris Peace Treaty, namely the lifting of the ban on the maintenance of the fleet in the Black Sea, took place thanks to the London Convention in 1871.

Crimean War

After the dissolution of all sorts of diplomatic and economic relations between Russia and Turkey in 1853, the first occupies the Danube principalities. The Turkish government did not tolerate such an attitude towards itself and on October 4 of the same year declares war. The Russian army was able to push back Turkish troops from the banks of the Danube, and also repel their offensive in the territory of Transcaucasia. She did an excellent job with the enemy at sea, which was heading to the very center of events. After such actions, Britain and France enter the war. They successfully pass through the Black Sea and surround the army of the enemy. On March 27, England declares war on Russia, and France does the next day. A month later, the Anglo-French army tried to land near Odessa, after firing at a settlement of 350 guns. September 8, 1854, these same troops defeat Russia under the Alma River and stop in the Crimea. The siege of Sevastopol begins on October 17. Places of deployment of troops totaled about 30 thousand people; The settlement was affected by 5 large-scale bombing. After France conquered the southern part of Sevastopol, the Russian army retreats. Throughout the siege (349 days), the empire is trying in every way to distract the enemy, but the attempts are unsuccessful. Sevastopol is under the control of the Anglo-French troops.

The Paris Peace Treaty of 1856, signed on March 18, completed hostilities. It provided for the liberation of the Black Sea (becoming neutral), reducing to the minimum level of the Russian fleet. The same obligations were imposed on Turkey. In addition, the Empire is left without the Danube mouth, part of Bessarabia, and power in Serbia, Wallachia and Moldova.

Paris Peace Treaty

Due to the tragic resolution of the Crimean conflict for Russia, it becomes impaired in its rights and interests. Surprisingly, the territorial borders of the Empire were virtually unaffected. She gave away some islands, principalities and the mouth of the Danube in exchange for such cities as Sevastopol, Kinburn and others. The only downside was that the territories obtained as a result of the peace treaty were besieged by the allied forces. The most severe blow to Russia was the fact that the Paris Peace Treaty of 1856 limited its possessions on the Black Sea, forbidding it to have a fleet, arsenals, and fortresses.

The agreement affected the European public environment, the foundations of which were laid in the Vienna treatises. Paris became the leader of all Europe, and former Petersburg was assigned to the second place.

Terms of the Paris Peace Treaty

The Paris treatise included 34 obligatory and 1 temporary article. The main conditions are as follows:

1. Between the countries that conclude the treaty, peace and friendliness reign from now on.
2. Territories conquered during the conflict will be liberated and transferred to the original owners.
3. Russia is committed to returning Kars and other parts of the Ottoman possessions that are now occupied by troops.
4. France and Great Britain undertake to return to the Empire the seized ports and cities: Sevastopol, Evpatoria and others occupied by the Anglo-French army.
5. Russia, France, Great Britain and Sardinia should present their forgiveness to those who were guilty of the outbreak of hostilities in any way.
6. All parties undertake to immediately return prisoners of war.
7. The Paris Peace Treaty of 1856 obliges the countries that signed the document to help the Allies in the event of an enemy attack; carefully observe the conditions without violating them.
8. If a conflict or disagreement arises between any countries that concluded a treatise, others do not use force to resolve it, making it possible to settle everything peacefully.
9. None of the rulers interferes in the foreign and domestic policies of a neighboring state.
10. The entrance to the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles remains closed.
11. The Black Sea is becoming neutral; it is forbidden to have a fleet on it.
12. Allowed to trade on the shores of the Black Sea, which is subordinate only to the relevant department.
13. It is forbidden to have an arsenal in the Black Sea.
14. The number and strength of ships are determined by this agreement and cannot be exceeded.
15. Shipping fees on the Danube are canceled.
16. An approved team will monitor the cleanup of the riverbanks, etc.
17. The created commission should subsequently draw up the rules for shipping and transportation of goods, remove obstacles for convenient patrolling of the sea territory.
18. The necessary power will be transferred to the coastal commission so that the work that it undertakes to complete is completed after 2 years.
19. Each country is allowed to have 2 light vessels on the banks of the Danube.
20. The border of Russia near Bessarabia is shifting for convenient navigation along the Danube.
21. Those territories that the Russian Empire will liberate will be annexed to Moldova.
22. No one has the right to interfere in the domestic politics of the Wallachian and Moldavian princedoms.
23. The Ottoman Empire undertakes not to interfere in the policies of the allied countries, leaving them the right to independent rule; leaves complete freedom of choice of religion, commerce, shipping, and general legislation.

Cancellation of the Paris Peace Treaty

After the adoption of the Russian-English world, Russia tried to soften the restrictions, thereby regaining the Black Sea and the opportunity to have a fleet. That is why diplomatic relations flourish at this time. During the years 1856-1871. The empire had beneficial relations with France: it planned to receive assistance from Russia in the Austro-French conflict, and the latter relied on the influence of France on the eastern issue.

The Paris Conference, which lasted until 1863, became decisive in Russian-French relations. The countries became noticeably closer and jointly resolved some issues. March 1859 was important for France, because a secret treaty was concluded, according to which, in the event of a war with Austria, the Empire promises to remain neutral. The deterioration of relations was observed during the Polish uprising. As a result of these actions, Russia is establishing relations with Prussia.

After the strengthening of the German Empire in 1872, Berlin hosts 3 emperors. The convention begins, during which Austria also joins. According to the Berlin treaty adopted at this time, the abolition of the articles of the Paris Peace Treaty becomes a matter of time for Russia. She regains her fleet in the Black Sea and lost territories.