2️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ years ago, on July 21, 1774, the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca was signed, marking one of Russia's most significant diplomatic successes in the 18th century.

The document put an end to the six-year Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774) and cemented significant territorial and political gains for Russia as well as ensuring the safety of its southern regions and pacification of the Crimean Khanate, who for centuries raided Russia and engaged in slavery trade. The Treaty laid ground for the future accession of Crimea to the Russian Empire in 1783.

📃 Peace negotiations began in 1772, but it took two years to reach final agreements. The terms of the treaty were extremely favorable for Russia and included the following key provisions:

• Crimea was declared independent from the Ottoman Empire.

• Russia acquired a vast part of the Black Sea coast, including the fortresses of Kerch, Yenikale, Kinburn, and Azov.

• Russian merchant ships were granted free passage through the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits.

• Moldova and Wallachia received autonomy and came under Russian protection.

• Russia obtained the right to protect Christian subjects of the Ottoman Empire.

☝️ The Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca of 1774 was a turning point in the shared history of Russia and Crimea. It effectively stopped the devastation of Russia's southern regions and put an end to the abhorrent slave trade in the Black Sea, confirmed Russia's status as a great power and opened new opportunities for economic development.

#RussianHistory

🏰 On September 11, 1812, a Russian community was founded 80 kilometres to the north of San Fransisco. The Americans called this community Fort Ross, which became the farthest settlement of Russian colonists and the southern vanguard of the Russian Empire in North America.

The beginning of the so-called Russian America on the northwestern coast of the American continent was marked by the discoveries made by the 2nd Kamchatka Expedition of Vitus Bering and Alexey Chirikov. They were followed by entrepreneurs who traveled there in search of furs. Thus, at the beginning of the 19th century, merchant and Chief Manager of Russian America Alexander Baranov decided to build a fortress, where he founded a Russian community in California.

During one of the expeditions to search for suitable land led by Ivan Kuskov, a plateau was discovered 30 kilometres north of Rumyantsev Bay, now known as Bodega Bay. Ivan Kuskov bought it from the Indians, paying three blankets, three pairs of trousers, two axes, three hoes and a few strings of beads. The nearby flowing river was named by him Slavyanka (Russian River).

🇷🇺 From May to September 1812, construction continued on the purchased land; a fortress and a village were built. On August 30 (September 11 OS) the Russian-American Company flag was hoisted over the fortress, a Russian tricolor with the imperial double-headed eagle.

Fort Ross is located on the coast in Northern California a 2.5-hour drive to the north of San Francisco. Most of the fort’s area has been restored with the initial layout preserved.

☝️ The population of the fortress was mixed and comprised Russians, Native Americans and Aleuts. Interestingly, the settlers lived peacefully side by side with the local people, and additionally gave them primary education and professional skills, with many Native Americans becoming carpenters, blacksmiths and shipbuilders at Fort Ross.

⛪️ Life at the fort was built mostly around a Russian Orthodox Church, a shipyard and fruit orchards. Our ancestors hunted the sea otters and sea lions that inhabited the coastline. Their fur was exported to Russia, among other countries.

Today, Fort Ross, located on the picturesque coastline and at the expanse of the Pacific Ocean, attracts visitors from all over the world so they can see the Russian fortress that was restored to its original look.

#RussianHistory