The Treaty of Kuchuk Kainargi and its Consequences for the Greeks

Experience of war:
Greek sailors gain experience in war after fighting the pirates and breaking the European blockade of the French coast during the French Revolution.

The war between Russia and Turkey (1768-74) ended with the Treaty of Kuchuk Kainargi (10/21 July 1774). Russian diplomacy had succeeded in bringing significant benefits, such as extending Russian domination to the north coastline of the Black Sea, trade privileges and political influence over the sovereigns of the Danube. However, the treaty also benefitted the Greeks and all Orthodox subjects. Russia granted an amnesty to all subjects who had taken part in the war; the treaty allowed free navigation in Ottoman seas for all ships carrying the Russian flag. The most important stipulation, however, was that it protected Orthodox beliefs within the Ottoman Empire. Russia had thus the alibi to interfere in internal Ottoman affairs.

Hydra, 1787-95

The economic stipulations of the Kuchuk Kainargi treaty guaranteed economic development, free circulation of the subjugated population, privileges, precious naval experience and hopes of throwing off the Turkish yoke. In the years that followed the treaty, a lot of Greek-owned ships navigated the Black Sea with the Russian flag; the Greeks could use Russian documents in all Ottoman ports, in the Mediterranean Sea, and Gibraltar. The commercial fleets of Hydra, Spetses and Psara grew significantly and along with the well-trained sailors supported the Revolution in 1821. Under Russia's protection and Turkish tolerance, the Greek merchant marine could be transformed into a navy when necessary. Moreover, many merchants, clergymen and intellects immigrated to the southern Russia (Ukrane), thus establishing communities which flourished and promoted the Greco-Turkish relations.

Map of Spetses, 1771

Maritime map depicting the
port of Psara, 1764

Meanwhile, the Russian privilege of appointing a consul and vice-consul in Ottoman territories facilitated Ottoman internal affairs; Greeks who mostly occupied these seats had more to gain. Russians often intervened in resolving cases of state arbitrariness in favour of the Greeks. Sometimes they demanded the resignation of kadis or officials with an arbitrary attitude. As a result, the Sultan's subjects often resorted to foreign aid, thus obliging the Porte to take measures in favour of non-Orthodox subjects. Abdul Chamit I (1774-89) was among the sultans who had granted privileges to the raja believing that this would thus obstruct their links with foreign powers; nevertheless, the Christians feeling the imminent collapse of the Ottoman state, profited by the Porte's concessions but always under Russia's protective shield.