Treaty of Constantinople vs. Treaty of Vienna

Attribute	Treaty of Constantinople	Treaty of Vienna
Date Signed	1832	1815
Location	Constantinople (Istanbul)	Vienna
Parties Involved	Ottoman Empire, Russia, Great Britain, France	Austria, Russia, Prussia, Great Britain
Purpose	Ended the Greek War of Independence	Redrew the map of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars

Background

The Treaty of Constantinople was signed on July 13, 1700, between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire. It marked the end of the Russo-Turkish War of 1686-1700 and established peace between the two powers. The Treaty of Vienna, on the other hand, was signed on October 30, 1738, between the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Monarchy. It ended the Austro-Turkish War of 1737-1739 and aimed to restore the pre-war status quo.

Territorial Changes

One of the key differences between the Treaty of Constantinople and the Treaty of Vienna is the territorial changes that resulted from each agreement. The Treaty of Constantinople saw the Ottoman Empire cede Azov to Russia, while the Treaty of Vienna saw the Ottoman Empire cede Belgrade, northern Bosnia, and northern Serbia to the Habsburg Monarchy.

Duration of Peace

Another important aspect to consider when comparing the two treaties is the duration of peace that followed. The Treaty of Constantinople led to a period of relative peace between Russia and the Ottoman Empire that lasted for several decades. In contrast, the peace established by the Treaty of Vienna was short-lived, as the two powers would go on to clash again in the following years.

Trade and Commerce

Both the Treaty of Constantinople and the Treaty of Vienna included provisions related to trade and commerce between the signatory powers. The Treaty of Constantinople allowed for Russian merchants to trade freely in Ottoman territories, while the Treaty of Vienna granted similar privileges to Habsburg merchants in Ottoman lands. These provisions aimed to promote economic cooperation and strengthen diplomatic ties between the nations.

Religious Rights

Religious rights were also a significant aspect of both treaties. The Treaty of Constantinople guaranteed the rights of Orthodox Christians in the Ottoman Empire, while the Treaty of Vienna protected the rights of Catholics in Ottoman territories under Habsburg control. These provisions aimed to ensure religious freedom and tolerance in the respective empires.

Military Provisions

Both treaties included military provisions that aimed to regulate the armed forces of the signatory powers. The Treaty of Constantinople limited the number of troops that Russia could station in the Crimea, while the Treaty of Vienna imposed restrictions on the size and location of the Habsburg military presence in the Balkans. These provisions were intended to prevent future conflicts and maintain a balance of power in the region.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the Treaty of Constantinople and the Treaty of Vienna had some similarities in terms of trade, commerce, and religious rights, they differed significantly in terms of territorial changes, duration of peace, and military provisions. The Treaty of Constantinople resulted in a longer period of peace between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, while the Treaty of Vienna failed to prevent further conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and the Habsburg Monarchy. Both treaties, however, played a crucial role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of Europe and the Middle East during the 18th century.