Treaty of Paris (1856)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Treaty of Paris of 1856 settled the Crimean War between Russia and an alliance of the Ottoman Empire, Piedmont, France, and the United Kingdom. The treaty, signed on March 30, 1856, made the Black Sea neutral territory, closing it to all warships, and prohibiting fortifications and the presence of armaments on its shores. The treaty marked a severe setback to Russian influence in the region.

Moldavia and Wallachia would stay under nominal Ottoman rule, but would be granted independent constitutions and national assemblies, which was to be monitored by the victorious powers. A project of a referendum was to be set in place to monitor the will of the peoples regarding unification. Also, Moldavia received the south of Bessarabia (Budjak).

The treaty also demilitarised the Åland Islands in the Baltic Sea, which belonged to the Russian Grand Duchy of Finland. The fortress Bomarsund had been destroyed by British and French forces in 1854 and the alliance wanted to prevent its use as a Russian military base.

The Peace of Paris confirmed Nicholas I's failures.

Russia lost territory it had been granted at the mouth of the Danube.
It was forced to abandon its claims to protect Christians in the Ottoman Empire (as was France).
Russia lost its influence over the Romanian principalities, which, together with Serbia, were given greater independence.