ABSTRACT

Turkey was a power in Europe by virtue of its occupation of the Balkans which gave it frontiers with Austria and Russia. The hospodars of the frontier provinces of Moldavia and Wallachia were usually wealthy Greeks and while not authorised to conduct foreign affairs, they were becoming more and more involved with Austria and Russia. Selim III had become Sultan in 1789. He admired French culture and, concerned by defeats at the hands of Austria and Russia at the beginning of his reign. In 1806 November, the British order the Sultan to make peace with Russia; a British fleet sails off the coast of Constantinople, but is driven off. In 1808 November, Janissaries attack Bairaktar Pasha's house, where he is killed; but their attack on the Sultan is repulsed with heavy losses. In 1815 August, the Serbian revolt, renewed under Milosh Obrenovich, results in a degree of Serbian autonomy with Milosh being recognised by the Sultan as governor.