Treaty of Constantinople (1724)
The Treaty of Constantinople (1724) was an agreement between the Ottoman Empire and Imperial Russia, signed on June 24, 1724, in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul). It addressed the power vacuum left by the collapse of the Safavid dynasty in Persia (modern-day Iran) following the Afghan invasion led by Mir Mahmud Hotaki.
The treaty aimed to prevent further conflict and instability in the region by dividing the former Safavid territories between the two empires. Russia, under Peter the Great, had been expanding its influence in the Caucasus, while the Ottomans sought to protect their borders and interests in the region.
Key provisions of the treaty included:
-
Division of Persia: The treaty carved up the western and northwestern portions of the former Safavid Empire. Russia gained control over territories along the Caspian Sea coast, including Gilan, Mazandaran, and Astrabad. The Ottoman Empire acquired control over territories including Azerbaijan (specifically the areas around Tabriz), Hamadan, Kermanshah, and parts of Armenia and Georgia.
-
Recognition of Shah Tahmasp II: Both Russia and the Ottoman Empire agreed to recognize Tahmasp II, a surviving member of the Safavid dynasty, as the Shah of Persia in the territories not under their direct control. This was partly a strategic move to legitimize their actions and prevent the rise of rival claimants.
-
Prevention of Conflict: A primary goal was to avoid direct military conflict between the Ottoman and Russian empires over the spoils of the Safavid collapse. The treaty established a buffer zone and delineated spheres of influence.
While the Treaty of Constantinople (1724) succeeded in temporarily stabilizing the region, it ultimately proved unsustainable. It faced opposition from various factions within Persia, who refused to recognize the legitimacy of foreign powers dictating the future of their nation. Furthermore, the agreement itself was challenged by Nader Shah, a brilliant military commander who rose to prominence in Persia and eventually expelled both the Ottomans and the Russians from the territories they had claimed. This eventually led to further conflict and the renegotiation of territorial control in the Caucasus and Persia.