Treaty of San Stefano

The Treaty of San Stefano was a peace agreement signed on March 3, 1878, between the Russian Empire and the Ottoman Empire, marking the end of the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878). The treaty was concluded in the town of San Stefano, now known as Yeşilköy, in the Istanbul district of Bakırköy.

Background

The Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878) resulted in the defeat of the Ottoman Empire. The war led to the independence of Bulgaria, which had been under Ottoman rule for nearly 500 years. The treaty provided for the establishment of a self-governing principality for Bulgaria, with the aim of granting it autonomy.

Terms of the Treaty

The treaty was signed by Count Nicholas Pavlovich Ignatiev and Alexander Nelidov on behalf of the Russian Empire, and by Saffet Pasha, the Ottoman Foreign Minister, and Saadullah Pasha, the Ottoman Ambassador to Berlin, on behalf of the Ottoman Empire. The treaty provided for:

* The establishment of a self-governing principality for Bulgaria
* The transfer of territories from the Ottoman Empire to Russia, including parts of modern-day Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine
* The recognition of Russian control over the Black Sea

Aftermath

The Treaty of San Stefano was not implemented in its entirety due to opposition from neighboring countries, France, and Great Britain. The treaty's provisions for an expanded Bulgaria disturbed these powers, who feared that it would lead to a significant shift in the balance of power in the region.

As a result, the treaty was revised at the Congress of Berlin in 1878, which led to the signing of the Treaty of Berlin on July 13, 1878. The Treaty of Berlin modified some of the provisions of the Treaty of San Stefano, including the borders of Bulgaria and the recognition of Russian control over the Black Sea.

Legacy

The Treaty of San Stefano is significant in Bulgarian history as it marked the country's liberation from Ottoman rule. Bulgarians celebrate March 3, 1878, as the day of liberation. However, the treaty's legacy is also complex, as its provisions for an expanded Bulgaria led to tensions with neighboring countries and ultimately contributed to the revision of the treaty at the Congress of Berlin.

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