When Crimea was Russian. The peoples who inhabited the Crimea at different times

A year ago, the Crimean peninsula was integral part state of Ukraine. But after March 16, 2014, he changed his "place of registration" and became part of the Russian Federation. Therefore, we can explain the increased interest in how the Crimea developed. The history of the peninsula is very turbulent and eventful.

The first inhabitants of the ancient land

The history of the peoples of Crimea has several millennia. On the territory of the peninsula, researchers discovered the remains of ancient people who lived in the Paleolithic era. Near the sites of Kiik-Koba and Staroselye, archaeologists found the bones of people who inhabited this area at that time.

In the first millennium BC, Cimmerians, Taurians and Scythians lived here. By the name of one nationality, this territory, or rather its mountainous and coastal parts, is still called Taurica, Tavria or Tauris. Ancient people were engaged in agriculture and cattle breeding on this not very fertile land, as well as hunting and fishing. The world was new, fresh and cloudless.

Greeks, Romans and Goths

But for some ancient states, the sunny Crimea turned out to be very attractive in terms of location. The history of the peninsula also has Greek echoes. Around the 6th-5th centuries, the Greeks began to actively populate this territory. They founded entire colonies here, after which the first states appeared. The Greeks brought with them the benefits of civilization: they actively built temples and theaters, stadiums and baths. At this time, shipbuilding began to develop here. It is with the Greeks that historians associate the development of viticulture. The Greeks also planted olive trees here and collected oil. We can safely say that with the arrival of the Greeks, the history of the development of Crimea received a new impetus.

But a few centuries later, powerful Rome laid eyes on this territory and captured part of the coast. This takeover lasted until the 6th century AD. But the greatest damage to the development of the peninsula was caused by the tribes of the Goths, who invaded in the 3rd-4th centuries and thanks to which the Greek states collapsed. And although the Goths were soon forced out by other nationalities, the development of the Crimea slowed down very much at that time.

Khazaria and Tmutarakan

Crimea is also called ancient Khazaria, and in some Russian chronicles this territory is called Tmutarakan. And these are not at all figurative names of the area on which Crimea was located. The history of the peninsula has left in speech those toponymic names that at one time or another were called this piece of land. Starting from the 5th century, the entire Crimea falls under the harsh Byzantine influence. But already in the 7th century, the entire territory of the peninsula (except for Chersonese) was in a powerful and strong state. That is why in Western Europe the name "Khazaria" is found in many manuscripts. But Russia and Khazaria compete all the time, and in the year 960 the Russian history of Crimea begins. The Khaganate was defeated, and all the Khazar possessions were subordinated to the Old Russian state. Now this territory is called Darkness.

By the way, right here Kyiv prince Vladimir, who occupied Kherson (Korsun), was officially baptized in 988.

Tatar-Mongolian trace

Since the 13th century, the history of the annexation of Crimea has again developed according to a military scenario: the Mongol-Tatars invade the peninsula.

Here the Crimean ulus is formed - one of the divisions of the Golden Horde. After the Golden Horde disintegrates, in 1443 it appears on the territory of the peninsula. In 1475, it completely falls under the influence of Turkey. It is from here that numerous raids are made on Polish, Russian and Ukrainian lands. Moreover, already at the end of the 15th century, these invasions become massive and threaten the integrity of both the Muscovite state and Poland. Basically, the Turks hunted for cheap labor: they captured people and sold them into slavery in the slave markets of Turkey. One of the reasons for the creation of the Zaporizhzhya Sich in 1554 was to resist these seizures.

Russian history

The history of the transfer of Crimea to Russia continues in 1774, when the Kyuchuk-Kainarji peace treaty was concluded. After Russian-Turkish war 1768-1774 came the end of almost 300 years of dominance Ottoman Empire. The Turks abandoned the Crimea. It was at this time that the largest cities of Sevastopol and Simferopol appeared on the peninsula. Crimea is developing rapidly, money is being invested here, the rapid flourishing of industry and trade begins.

But Turkey did not leave plans to regain this attractive territory and prepared for a new war. We must pay tribute to the Russian army, which did not allow this to be done. After another war in 1791, the Iasi peace treaty was signed.

Volitional decision of Catherine II

So, in fact, the peninsula has now become part of a powerful empire, whose name is Russia. Crimea, whose history included many transitions from hand to hand, needed powerful protection. Acquired southern lands needed to be protected by securing the borders. Empress Catherine II instructed Prince Potemkin to study all the advantages and disadvantages of annexing the Crimea. In 1782, Potemkin wrote a letter to the Empress, in which he insisted on accepting important decision. Catherine agrees with his arguments. She understands how important Crimea is both for solving internal state problems and from a foreign policy perspective.

On April 8, 1783, Catherine II issues a manifesto on the annexation of Crimea. It was a fateful document. It was from this moment, from this date that Russia, Crimea, the history of the empire and the peninsula were closely intertwined for many centuries. According to the Manifesto, all Crimean residents were promised the protection of this territory from enemies, the preservation of property and faith.

True, the Turks recognized the fact of the annexation of Crimea to Russia only eight months later. All this time the situation around the peninsula was extremely tense. When the Manifesto was promulgated, then at first the loyalty Russian Empire clerics swore allegiance, and only then - the entire population. On the peninsula, solemn celebrations, feasts were held, games and races were held, volleys of cannon salute were fired into the air. As contemporaries noted, the entire Crimea with joy and jubilation passed into the Russian Empire.

Since then, Crimea, the history of the peninsula and the way of life of its population have been inextricably linked with all the events that took place in the Russian Empire.

A powerful impetus for development

A brief history of Crimea after joining the Russian Empire can be described in one word - "flourishing". Industry and agriculture, winemaking, viticulture begin to develop rapidly here. Fish and salt industries appear in the cities, the people are actively developing trade relations.

Since Crimea is in a very warm and favorable climate, many rich people wanted to get land here. Nobles, members of the royal family, industrialists considered it an honor to establish a family estate on the territory of the peninsula. In the 19th - early 20th century, the rapid flowering of architecture begins here. Industrial magnates, royalty, the elite of Russia are building entire palaces here, setting up beautiful parks that have survived on the territory of Crimea to this day. And after the nobility, people of art, actors, singers, artists, theatergoers reached out to the peninsula. Crimea becomes the cultural Mecca of the Russian Empire.

Do not forget about the healing climate of the peninsula. Since the doctors proved that the air of the Crimea is extremely favorable for the treatment of tuberculosis, a mass pilgrimage began here for those wishing to be cured of this disease. deadly disease. Crimea is becoming attractive not only for bohemian holidays, but also for health tourism.

Together with the whole country

At the beginning of the 20th century, the peninsula developed along with the whole country. Didn't pass him October Revolution, followed by Civil War. It was from the Crimea (Yalta, Sevastopol, Feodosia) that the last ships and ships left Russia, on which the Russian intelligentsia left Russia. It was in this place that a mass exodus of the White Guards was observed. The country was creating a new system, and Crimea did not lag behind.

It was in the 20s of the last century that the transformation of the Crimea into an all-Union health resort took place. In 1919, the Bolsheviks adopted the "Decree of the Council of People's Commissars on medical areas of national importance." Crimea is inscribed in it with a red line. A year later, another important document was signed - the decree "On the use of Crimea for the treatment of workers."

Until the war, the territory of the peninsula was used as a resort for tuberculosis patients. In Yalta, in 1922, a specialized Institute of Tuberculosis was even opened. Funding was at the proper level, and soon this research institute becomes the country's main center for pulmonary surgery.

Landmark Crimean Conference

During the years of the Great Patriotic War The peninsula became the scene of massive hostilities. Here they fought on land and at sea, in the air and in the mountains. Two cities - Kerch and Sevastopol - received the title of Hero Cities for their significant contribution to the victory over fascism.

True, not all the peoples inhabiting the multinational Crimea fought on the side Soviet army. Some representatives openly supported the invaders. That is why in 1944 Stalin issued a decree on the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people from the Crimea. Hundreds of trains were taken out in one day whole nation to Central Asia.

Crimea entered world history due to the fact that in February 1945 in the Livadia Palace was held Yalta Conference. The leaders of the three superpowers - Stalin (USSR), Roosevelt (USA) and Churchill (Great Britain) - signed in Crimea important international documents that determined the world order for long post-war decades.

Crimea - Ukrainian

In 1954, a new milestone begins. The Soviet leadership decides to transfer Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR. The history of the peninsula begins to develop according to a new scenario. The initiative came personally from the then head of the CPSU, Nikita Khrushchev.

This was done for a round date: that year the country celebrated the 300th anniversary of the Pereyaslav Rada. To commemorate this historical date and demonstrate that the Russian and Ukrainian peoples are united, Crimea was transferred to the Ukrainian SSR. And now it began to be considered as a whole and a part of the whole couple "Ukraine - Crimea". The history of the peninsula begins to be described in modern chronicles from scratch.

Whether this decision was economically justified, whether it was worth taking such a step then - at that time such questions did not even arise. Since the Soviet Union was united, no one attached particular importance to whether Crimea would be part of the RSFSR or the Ukrainian SSR.

Autonomy within Ukraine

When an independent Ukrainian state was formed, Crimea received the status of autonomy. In September 1991, the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of the Republic was adopted. And on December 1, 1991, a referendum was held, in which 54% of the inhabitants of Crimea supported the independence of Ukraine. In May of the following year, the Constitution of the Republic of Crimea was adopted, and in February 1994, the Crimeans elected the first President of the Republic of Crimea. They became Yuri Meshkov.

It was during the years of perestroika that disputes began to arise more and more often that Khrushchev illegally gave Crimea to Ukraine. Pro-Russian sentiments on the peninsula were very strong. Therefore, as soon as the opportunity arose, Crimea returned to Russia again.

Fateful March 2014

While a large-scale state crisis began to grow in Ukraine in late 2013 - early 2014, voices in Crimea were heard more and more strongly that the peninsula should be returned to Russia. On the night of February 26-27, unknown people raised the Russian flag over the building of the Supreme Council of Crimea.

The Supreme Council Crimea and the Sevastopol City Council adopt a declaration of independence of the Crimea. At the same time, the idea to hold an all-Crimean referendum was voiced. It was originally scheduled for March 31, but then moved two weeks earlier - to March 16. Results Crimean referendum were impressive: 96.6% of voters voted in favor. General level support for this decision of the peninsula amounted to 81.3%.

The modern history of Crimea continues to take shape before our eyes. Not all countries have yet recognized the status of Crimea. But Crimeans live with faith in a brighter future.

Crimea is one of amazing corners Earth. By virtue of its geographical location he was at the crossroads different peoples, stood in the way of their historical movements. The interests of many countries and entire civilizations collided in such a small area. The Crimean peninsula has repeatedly become the scene of bloody wars and battles, was part of several states and empires.

Diverse natural conditions attracted to the Crimea the peoples of the most different cultures and traditions For nomads there were vast pastures, for farmers - fertile lands, for hunters - forests with a lot of game, for sailors - convenient bays and bays, a lot of fish. Therefore, many peoples settled here, becoming part of the Crimean ethnic conglomerate and participants in all historical events on the peninsula. In the neighborhood lived people whose traditions, customs, religions, way of life were different. This led to misunderstandings and even bloody clashes. Civil strife stopped when it was understood that it was possible to live well and prosper only in peace, harmony and mutual respect.

230 years ago, Empress Catherine II issued a manifesto on the annexation of Crimea to Russia. This event was the logical result of Russia's long struggle with the Crimean Khanate and Turkey, which kept the Crimea in vassalage.

The fate of the Crimea was decided during the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774. The Russian army under the command of Vasily Dolgorukov invaded the peninsula. The troops of Khan Selim III were defeated, Bakhchisaray was destroyed, the peninsula was devastated. Khan Selim III fled to Istanbul. The Crimean nobility folded and agreed with the accession of Sahib II Giray. Crimea was declared independent from the Ottoman Empire. In 1772, an agreement was signed with the Russian Empire on an alliance, Bakhchisarai received a promise from the Russian military and financial assistance. According to the Russian-Turkish Kuchuk-Kaynardzhy peace of 1774, the Crimean Khanate and the Kuban Tatars gained independence from Turkey, retaining ties only on religious issues.

However, the Kuchuk-Kainarji peace could not be eternal. Russia has just gained a foothold near the Black Sea, but the Crimean peninsula - this pearl of the Black Sea region, remained as if no one's. The power of the Ottomans over him was almost eliminated, and the influence of St. Petersburg had not yet been established. This unstable situation caused conflict situations. Russian troops, for the most part, were withdrawn, the Crimean nobility was inclined to return the former status of Crimea - to a union with the Ottoman Empire.

The Sultan, even during the peace negotiations, sent Devlet-Girey to the Crimea with a landing force. An uprising began, there were attacks on Russian troops in Alushta, Yalta and other places. Sahib Giray was overthrown. Devlet Giray was elected Khan. He asked Istanbul to terminate the agreement with Russia on the independence of the Crimean Khanate, return the peninsula under its supreme power and take Crimea under its protection. However, Istanbul was not ready for a new war, and did not dare to take such a radical step.

Naturally, Petersburg did not like it. In the autumn of 1776, Russian troops, with the support of the Nogais, overcame Perekop and broke into the Crimea. They were also supported by the Crimean beys, whom Devlet IV Giray wanted to punish for supporting Sahib II Giray. Shahin Giray was placed on the Crimean throne with the help of Russian bayonets. Devlet Giray left for Istanbul with the Turks.

At the request of Shagin-Giray, Russian troops remained on the peninsula, stationed at the Ak-Mechet. Shahin (Shahin) Giray was a talented and gifted person, he studied in Thessaloniki and Venice, knew Turkish, Italian and Greek. He tried to carry out reforms in the state and reorganize the administration in Crimea according to the European model. He did not consider national traditions, which irritated the local nobility and the Muslim clergy. They began to call him a traitor and an apostate. The nobility was unhappy with the fact that they began to remove her from government. Shigin-Girey transformed the possessions of the Tatar nobility, almost independent of the khan, into 6 governorships (kaimakams) - Bakhchisaray, Ak-Mechet, Karasubazar, Gezlev (Evpatoria), Kafa (Feodosia) and Perekop. The governorates were divided into districts. Khan confiscated vaqfs - the lands of the Crimean clergy. It is clear that the clergy and the nobility did not forgive the khan for the encroachment on the basis of their well-being. Even his brothers Bahadir Giray and Arslan Giray spoke out against the policy of Shahin Giray.

The reason for the uprising was the Khan's attempt to create armed forces European sample. In the autumn of 1777 a riot broke out. In December 1777, a Turkish landing force landed on the peninsula, headed by Khan Selim Giray III, appointed in Istanbul. The uprising swept the entire peninsula. The civil war began. With the support of Russian troops, the uprising was crushed.

At the same time, the Russian command was strengthening its positions in the south. At the end of November 1777, Field Marshal Pyotr Rumyantsev appointed Alexander Suvorov to command the Kuban Corps. In early January 1778, he received the Kuban Corps and in a short time compiled a complete topographical description of the Kuban region and seriously strengthened the Kuban cordon line, which was actually the border of Russia and the Ottoman Empire. In March, Suvorov was appointed instead of Alexander Prozorovsky as commander of the troops of the Crimea and Kuban. In April, he arrived in Bakhchisarai. The commander divided the peninsula into four territorial districts, along the coast he created a chain of posts at a distance of 3-4 km from each other. Russian garrisons were located in fortresses and several dozen fortifications, reinforced with guns. The first territorial district had a center in Gezlev, the second - in the southwestern part of the peninsula, in Bakhchisarai, the third in the eastern part of Crimea - in the Salgir fortification-retrenchment, the fourth - occupied the Kerch Peninsula with a center in Yenikal. Behind Perekop, a brigade of Major General Ivan Bagration was located.

Alexander Suvorov issued a special order, in which he called for "observe complete friendship and assert mutual agreement between Russians and different ranks of the townsfolk." The commander began to build fortifications at the exit from the Akhtiar Bay, forcing the Turkish warships remaining there to leave. Turkish ships left for Sinop. To weaken the Crimean Khanate and save the Christians, who were the first to become victims during the riots and the landing of Turkish troops, Suvorov, on the advice of Potemkin, began to facilitate the resettlement of the Christian population from the Crimea. They were moved to the coast Sea of ​​Azov and the mouth of the Don. From the spring to the beginning of the autumn of 1778, more than 30 thousand people were resettled from the Crimea to the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov and Novorossia. This irritated the Crimean nobility.

In July 1778, a Turkish fleet of 170 pennants appeared off the Crimean coast in the Feodosiya Bay under the command of Gassan-Gaza Pasha. The Turks were thinking about landing. The Turkish command handed over a letter with an ultimatum demanding a ban on navigation to Russian ships along the coast Crimean peninsula. In case of failure to comply with this requirement, the Russian ships threatened to sink. Suvorov was firm and declared that he would ensure the security of the peninsula by all means available to him. The Turks did not dare to land troops. The Ottoman fleet ingloriously returned home. Another demonstration was held by the Turkish fleet in September. But the measures of Suvorov, who fortified the coast and ordered Bagration's brigade to enter the Crimea, maneuvered his troops in view of the enemy fleet, corresponding to his movement, again forced the Ottomans to retreat.

On March 10, 1779, the Anayly-Kavak Convention was signed between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. She confirmed the Kuchuk-Kainarji agreement. Istanbul recognized Shagin Giray as the Crimean Khan, confirmed the independence of the Crimean Khanate and the right of free passage through the Bosporus and Dardanelles for Russian merchant ships. Russian troops, leaving 6 thousand. garrison in Kerch and Yenikal, in mid-June 1779 left the Crimean peninsula and Kuban. Suvorov was appointed to Astrakhan.

The Ottomans did not accept the loss of the Crimea and the territories of the Northern Black Sea region, they provoked another uprising in the fall of 1781. The uprising was led by the brothers Shahin-Girey Bahadyr-Girey and Arslan-Girey. The uprising began in the Kuban and quickly spread to the peninsula. By July 1782, the uprising completely engulfed the entire Crimea, the khan was forced to flee, and the officials of his administration who did not have time to escape were killed. Bahadir II Girey was chosen as the new khan. He turned to St. Petersburg and Istanbul with a request for recognition.

However, the Russian Empire refused to recognize the new Khan and sent troops to suppress the uprising. Russian empress Catherine II appointed Grigory Potemkin as commander-in-chief. He had to suppress the uprising and achieve the accession of the Crimean peninsula to Russia. Troops in the Crimea were appointed to lead Anton Balmain, and in the Kuban - Alexander Suvorov. Balmain's corps, which was formed in Nikopol, occupied Karasubazar, defeating the army of the new khan under the command of Tsarevich Halim Giray. Bahadir was taken prisoner. His brother Arslan Giray was also arrested. Most of the Khan's supporters fled through North Caucasus to Turkey. Potemkin again appointed Alexander Suvorov commander of the troops in the Crimea and Kuban. Shagin Giray returned to Bakhchisarai and was restored to the throne.

Shagin Giray began to carry out repressions against the rebels, which led to a new rebellion. Yes, there was prince executed Mahmud Giray, who declared himself Khan in the Cafe. Shigin Giray also wanted to execute his brothers - Bahadir and Arslan. But Russian government intervened and saved them, the execution was replaced by imprisonment in Kherson. The Russian empress “advised” Shagin Girey to voluntarily renounce the throne and transfer his possessions to St. Petersburg. In February 1783, Shagin Giray abdicated the throne and moved to live in Russia. Lived in Taman, Voronezh, Kaluga. Then he made a mistake, went to the Ottoman Empire. Shagin was arrested, exiled to Rhodes and executed in 1787.

On April 8 (19), 1783, Empress Catherine II issued a manifesto on the inclusion of the Crimean Khanate, the Taman Peninsula and the Kuban into the Russian state. By order of G. Potemkin, troops under the command of Suvorov and Mikhail Potemkin occupied Taman Peninsula and Kuban, and Balmain's forces entered the Crimean peninsula. From the sea, Russian troops supported the ships of the Azov Flotilla under the command of Vice Admiral Klokachev. Almost at the same time, the Empress sent the frigate "Cautious" to the peninsula under the command of Captain II rank Ivan Bersenev. He received the task of choosing a harbor for the fleet off the southwestern coast of the Crimean peninsula. Bersenev in April examined the bay near the village of Akhtiar, which was located near the ruins of Chersonesus-Tauride. He proposed to turn it into the base of the future Black Sea Fleet. On May 2, 1783, five frigates and eight small ships of the Azov military flotilla entered the bay under the command of Vice Admiral Klokachev. Already at the beginning of 1784, a port and a fortress were laid. It was named by Empress Catherine II Sevastopol - "The Majestic City".

In May, the Empress sent Mikhail Kutuzov, who had just returned from abroad after treatment, to the Crimea, who quickly settled political and diplomatic issues with the remaining Crimean nobility. In June 1783, in Karasubazar, on the top of the Ak-Kaya (White Rock), Prince Potemkin took an oath of allegiance to the Russian Empire from the Tatar nobility and representatives of all segments of the Crimean population. The Crimean Khanate finally ceased to exist. The Crimean Zemstvo government was established. The Russian troops stationed in the Crimea were ordered by Potemkin to treat the residents "friendly, without causing offense at all, which the chiefs and regimental commanders have to set an example for."

In August 1783, Balmain was replaced by General Igelstrom. He showed himself to be a good organizer, established the Tauride Regional Administration. Together with the Zemstvo government, almost the entire local Tatar nobility entered it. On February 2, 1784, by decree of the Empress, the Tauride Region was established, headed by the President of the Military Collegium, G. Potemkin. It included the Crimea and Taman. In the same month, Empress Catherine II granted the highest Crimean estate all the rights and benefits of the Russian nobility. Lists were compiled of 334 new Crimean nobles who retained their old landed property.

To attract the population of Sevastopol, Feodosia and Kherson were announced open cities for all nationalities friendly to Russia. Foreigners could freely come to these settlements, live there and take Russian citizenship. In the Crimea, serfdom was not introduced, the Tatars of non-privileged estates were declared state (state) peasants. Relations between the Crimean nobility and dependent on them social groups have not been changed. The lands and incomes that belonged to the Crimean "king" were transferred to the imperial treasury. All prisoners, subjects of Russia, received freedom. I must say that at the time of the annexation of Crimea to Russia, there were about 60 thousand people on the peninsula, and 1474 villages. The main occupation of the villagers was the breeding of cows and sheep.

Changes for the better, after the annexation of Crimea to Russia, appeared literally before our eyes. Internal trade duties were eliminated, which immediately increased the trade turnover of the Crimea. The Crimean cities of Karasubazar, Bakhchisaray, Feodosia, Gezlev (Evpatoria), Ak-Mechet (Simferopol - it became the administrative center of the region) began to grow. The Tauride region was divided into 7 counties: Simferopol, Levkopol (Feodosia), Perekop, Evpatoria, Dnieper, Melitopol and Fanagoria. Russian state peasants, retired soldiers, immigrants from the Commonwealth and Turkey were settled on the peninsula. Potemkin for Development Agriculture in the Crimea he invited foreign specialists in the field of horticulture, viticulture, sericulture and forestry. Salt production has been increased. In August 1785, all the ports of the Crimea were exempted from paying customs duties for 5 years and the customs guards were transferred to Perekop. The turnover of Russian trade on the Black Sea by the end of the centuries increased several thousand times and amounted to 2 million rubles. A special office was created on the peninsula for the management and development of "agriculture and home economics." Already in 1785, the vice-governor of the Crimea K. I. Gablits held the first scientific description peninsulas.

Potemkin possessed great energy and ambition. On the shores of the Black Sea, he was able to implement many projects. The Empress fully supported him in this matter. As early as 1777, she wrote to Grimm: “I love unplowed countries. Trust me, they are the best." Novorossiya was indeed an "unplowed" territory where the most amazing projects could be implemented. Fortunately, Potemkin had the full support of the Empress and the huge human and material resources of Russia. In fact, he became a kind of vice-emperor of the South of Russia, who had full will to realize his plans. Military and political victories were combined with rapid administrative, economic, naval and cultural development of the region.

Entire cities and ports arose in the bare steppe - Sevastopol, Kherson, Melitopol, Odessa. Thousands of peasants and workers were sent to build canals, embankments, fortifications, shipyards, piers, and enterprises. Forests were planted. Streams of immigrants (Russians, Germans, Greeks, Armenians, etc.) rushed to Novorossia. The population of the Crimean peninsula by the end of the century increased to 100 thousand people, mainly due to immigrants from Russia and Little Russia. mastered richest lands southern Russian steppes. IN record time The Black Sea Fleet was built, which quickly became the master of the situation on the Black Sea and won a series of brilliant victories over the Turkish fleet. Potemkin planned to build a magnificent, not inferior northern capital, the southern capital of the empire - Yekaterinoslav on the Dnieper (now Dnepropetrovsk). It was going to build a huge cathedral, more than the Vatican St. Peter, a theater, a university, museums, an exchange, palaces, gardens and parks.

The versatile talents of Potemkin also touched the Russian army. The almighty favorite of the empress was a supporter of new tactics and strategies of warfare, and encouraged the initiative of commanders. Replaced tight uniforms german type for light and comfortable uniforms of a new type, more adapted for combat operations. The soldiers were forbidden to wear braids and use powder, which was a real torment for them.

The transformations went so fast that when in 1787 the Russian ruler Catherine II made a trip to the peninsula through Perekop, visiting Karasubazar, Bakhchisarai, Laspi and Sevastopol, Potemkin had something to boast of. Suffice it to recall the Black Sea Fleet, consisting of three battleships, twelve frigates, twenty small ships, three bombardment ships and two firewalls. It was after this journey that Potemkin received the title of "Tauride" from the Empress.

It is clear that Istanbul did not accept the loss of the Crimean Khanate. The Ottomans, who were egged on by England, were actively preparing for a new war. In addition, the interests of Russia and Turkey clashed in the Caucasus and Balkan Peninsula. It ended with Istanbul demanding the return of the Crimean peninsula in an ultimatum form, but was resolutely refused. On August 21, 1787, the Turkish fleet attacked the Russian off the western coast of the Crimean peninsula, which served as a signal to start new war. In the Russian-Turkish war of 1787-1791. success accompanied Russian weapons. In Moldova, Rumyantsev inflicted a number of heavy defeats on the Turkish troops, Golitsyn occupied Iasi and Khotyn. Potemkin's army captured Ochakov. Suvorov defeated the Turkish army near Rymnik. The "impregnable" Izmail and Anapa were captured. The Black Sea Fleet in a series of battles defeated the Turkish fleet. The Iasi Peace Treaty secured the entire Northern Black Sea region, including the Crimean Peninsula, for the Russian Empire.

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Yesterday, an agreement was signed in Moscow on the inclusion of Crimea into the Russian Federation. Here is a brief illustrated summary of the history of this territory and its peoples

In the first millennium BC. in the Crimea, inhabited by tribes of Scythians and Taurians, Greek colonies began to appear. As a result of Greek expansion in the 5th century BC. the territory of the peninsula became part of two states - Chersonese Tauride and the Bosporus kingdom.
In the 3rd century BC. the Scythians founded the city of Neapolis, or Scythian Naples (near modern Simferopol).
In the photo: painting of the sarcophagus from the time of the Bosporan kingdom.

Starting from the 3rd century, various tribes invade Crimea - Goths, Huns, Bulgarians, Turks - who destroyed the ancient cities. In the 8th century, Crimea became Byzantine, part of the peninsula belongs to the Khazar Khaganate.
In the photo: the ruins of Chersonese.

Since the 9th century, the Rus have been penetrating into the Crimea, who, as a result, defeated the Khazars. In 988 the Russian Prince Vladimir was baptized here. The territory of the peninsula, formerly Khazar, became part of the Russian principality of Tmutarakan.
In the photo: Fresco by V. Vasnetsov “The Baptism of the Holy Prince Vladimir”, Vladimir Cathedral in Kyiv, 1890.

The end of Russian influence in the Crimea is put by the Polovtsy, who have appeared here since the 12th century. The modern Crimean Tatar language, from which there are many toponyms in Crimea (including Crimea, Ayu-Dag, Artek), is a descendant of the Polovtsian language.
In the photo: painting by V. Vasnetsov “After the battle of Igor Svyatoslavich with the Polovtsy”, 1880

In the 13th century, the Tatar-Mongols invade Crimea, making it part of the Golden Horde. Under an agreement with its khans, Genoa receives some coastal cities of the Crimea, and the Genoese are also building new colonies.
In the photo: Genoese fortress in Sudak.

After the collapse of the Golden Horde in 1441, the remnants of the Mongols in the Crimea were Turkified. At this point, Crimea is divided between the steppe Crimean Khanate, the mountainous Byzantine principality of Theodoro, and the Genoese colonies on the southern coast.
In the summer of 1475, the Ottoman Turks landed a large landing in the Crimea, capturing all the Genoese fortresses and Byzantine cities. In 1478, the Crimean Khanate became a protectorate of the Ottoman Empire.
In the photo: a coin of the Crimean Khanate of the 15th century.

From the end of the 15th century, the Crimean Khanate made constant raids on the Russian state and Poland. The main purpose of the raids is the capture of slaves and their resale in Turkish markets.
In the photo: Map of 1593. Crimea in the north borders on the Moscow principality, in the west - on the Great Lithuanian. Two Crimean Tatars lead a bear.

The Crimean Khan Devlet I Gerai waged constant wars with Ivan IV the Terrible, vainly seeking to restore the independence of Kazan and Astrakhan.
In May 1571, at the head of an army of 40 thousand horsemen, the khan burned Moscow, for which he received the nickname Takht Algan (“took the throne”). During the raid on Moscow state as many historians believe, several hundred thousand people died and 50,000 were taken prisoner. Ivan IV undertook, following the example of Poland, to pay tribute to the Crimea every year. Payments continued until the end of the 17th century and finally stopped only in the reign of Peter I.
In the photo: Map of 1630. In addition to the steppe and foothill part of the Crimea proper, the khanate occupied the lands between the Danube and the Dnieper, the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov and most contemporary Krasnodar Territory Russia.

The Russian-Turkish war of 1768-74 put an end to Ottoman domination, and according to the Kyuchuk-Kainarji peace treaty of 1774, Crimea gained independence from the Ottoman Empire and came under the protectorate of Russia. In 1783 Crimea was included in the Russian Empire.
In the photo: Painting by Stefano Torelli "Victory of Catherine II over the Turks".

After the annexation of Crimea to Russia, Russian troops entered its territory, and the city of Sevastopol was founded near the ruins of ancient Chersonese. The Crimean Khanate was abolished, but its elite (over 300 clans) joined the Russian nobility and took part in local government newly created Taurida region.
In the photo: Painting by M. Ivanov, “Russian military camp in the Crimea”, 1783

In 1787, Empress Catherine made her famous journey to the Crimea. In 1796, the region became part of the Novorossiysk province, and in 1802 it was again separated into an independent administrative unit. IN early XIX centuries, viticulture (Magarach) and shipbuilding (Sevastopol) developed in the Crimea, roads were laid. Under Prince Vorontsov, Yalta begins to develop, and the southern coast of Crimea turns into a resort.
In the photo: Fireworks in honor of Catherine's arrival in Crimea.

In 1853, the Crimean War broke out, in which Russia fought against three empires: French, British and Ottoman. fighting deployed not only on the western and southern borders of Russia, but even in the Barents Sea and Kamchatka. Crimea became the hottest point.
The heroic defense of Sevastopol lasted almost a whole year, but in the end the Russians were forced to leave the city. During its defense, the famous Russian commanders Kornilov and Nakhimov died.
In the photo: Painting by V. Nesterenko “Defense of Sevastopol”, 1967

Especially for the participants in the defense of Sevastopol, the medal "For the Defense of Sevastopol" was established, which was the first medal in the history of Russia that was issued not for capture or victory, but for defense.

Painting by Richard Woodville “Charge of the light cavalry”, 1897
"Balaklava Day" forever entered the black date in military history England. As a result of the cavalry attack on the Russian position near Balaklava, almost all of it was killed. Many representatives of the English aristocracy remained on the battlefield, and the phrase “Attack of the light cavalry” became a household word.

Having captured the Crimea, the Allies began to take local cultural and historical values ​​to their museums.
In the photo: Samples of ancient art taken by the British from Sevastopol.

As a result of the Crimean War, Russia lost influence in the Balkans and temporarily lost its Black Sea Fleet, but Crimea remained Russian.
In the photo: Monument to the fallen Russian and French soldiers on the site of their common mass grave. Malakhov Kurgan, Sevastopol.

In 1874, Simferopol was connected to Aleksandrovsk by a railroad. The resort status of Crimea increased after the summer royal residence of the Livadia Palace appeared in Livadia.
Population of Crimea in 1897:
Russians - 404 thousand
Tatars - 197 thousand
Ukrainians - 61 thousand
Jews - 55 thousand
Greeks - 18 thousand
In the photo: Livadia Palace.

During the years of the Civil War, “white” and “red” governments replaced each other several times on the territory of Crimea, including the Soviet Socialist Republic of Taurida, the Crimean Soviet Socialist Republic, etc.
In the photo: The team of the tank "General Drozdovsky". September 1919

After the defeat of the White movement in October 1920, Crimea was conquered by the Red Army and incorporated into the RSFSR as the Autonomous Crimean Soviet Socialist Republic. In the occupied Crimea, the Bolsheviks perpetrated mass terror, as a result of which, according to various sources, from 20 to 120 thousand people died.

In the autumn of 1941, the German occupation of Crimea began.
“Crimea must be liberated from all strangers and populated by Germans,” Hitler said at a meeting at headquarters on July 19, 1941. At his suggestion, the Crimea turned into the imperial region of Gotenland (the country is ready). The center of the region - Simferopol - was renamed Gothsburg (the city is ready), and Sevastopol was named Theodoricshafen (the harbor of Theodoric, king of the Ostrogoths, who lived in 493-526). According to Himmler's project, the Crimea joined directly to Germany.
On the picture: German soldiers are monitoring Soviet positions from a trench on the Perekop Isthmus.

The most fierce battles in the Crimea took place in the area of ​​Sevastopol. The defense of the city lasted about eight months.
In the photo: the ruins of Sevastopol.

Near Sevastopol in the first and last time the super-heavy 800-mm Dora gun was used, which weighed more than 1000 tons. It was secretly brought from Germany and secretly placed in a special shelter carved into a rock mass in the Bakhchisarai region. The gun entered service in early June and fired a total of fifty-three 7-ton projectiles.

In early July 1942, Soviet troops were forced to leave Sevastopol, and then the entire peninsula. Their losses amounted to more than 200 thousand people.
For the capture of Sevastopol, the commander of the 11th Army, E. von Manstein, received the rank of field marshal.
In the photo: German soldiers in the destroyed Sevastopol.

In April 1944, the liberation of the Crimea began. The Crimean operation ended with the complete defeat of the 17th german army, only the irretrievable losses of which during the fighting amounted to more than 120 thousand people.
In the photo: Partisans who participated in the liberation of the Crimea. The village of Simeiz south coast Crimean peninsula. 1944

In May 1944, 183,000 Tatars were deported from Crimea. Mostly in Uzbekistan. Officially, the facts of collaborationism and cooperation of a large part of the Crimean Tatar population during the German occupation of Crimea were announced as the reason for the deportation. 20 thousand Crimean Tatars (every third of military age) wore the uniform of the Third Reich.
Crimean Armenians, Bulgarians and Greeks were also deported.

1954 - Crimea is transferred from Russia to Ukraine. Despite the fact that Sevastopol was withdrawn from the Crimean region back in 1948, having received a special status in Russia, due to legal inaccuracies, it passed to Ukraine along with Crimea.
The population of Crimea in 1959: Russians - 858 thousand, Ukrainians - 268 thousand, Jews - 26 thousand.

On May 6, 1992, the constitution of the Republic of Crimea was adopted and the post of president was introduced. According to the recollection of the President of Ukraine Kravchuk in an interview given by him to the Ukrainian program, at that time official Kyiv was considering the possibility of a war with Crimea.
In March 1995, by decision of the central Ukrainian authorities, the constitution of the Republic of Crimea of ​​1992 was canceled, and the presidency in Crimea was abolished.

February 2014 - as a result of the coup d'état in Kyiv, there was a sharp increase in pro-Russian activity in Crimea.
On February 27, 2014, the Supreme Council of Crimea appointed Sergei Aksenov as head of the Council of Ministers.
March 11, 2014 Supreme Council Autonomous Republic Crimea and the Sevastopol City Council adopted the Declaration of Independence of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.
On March 17, 2014, as a result of the all-Crimean referendum held on March 16, 2014, on the basis of the declaration of independence, the sovereign Republic of Crimea was proclaimed, including the city with a special status of Sevastopol.
The population of Crimea according to the 2001 census: Russians - 1450 thousand, Ukrainians - 577 thousand, Tatars - 245 thousand.

On March 18, 2014, an agreement was signed between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Crimea on the admission of the Republic of Crimea to Russia. In accordance with the agreement, new subjects are formed within the Russian Federation - the Republic of Crimea and the city federal significance Sevastopol.
Pictured: Crimeans celebrating the news of reunification with Russia.

On April 8, 1783, Empress Catherine II issued a manifesto on the annexation of Crimea to Russia.

This document stated the fact that, despite the legitimacy of obtaining the Crimea as military booty, Russia initially gave the Crimean Khanate independence, which the Crimean Tatars could not reasonably use. Thus, peace has come on the southern borders of our country, and they themselves have gained geopolitical completeness.

Rebellions constantly arose in the Crimea, creating unrest on the southern borders of the Russian Empire. This went on from 1774 to 1783. For ten years, the Crimean Tatars conducted an experiment on the existence of their khanate as independent state. The experiment failed, showing the complete failure of both the ruling dynasty in Crimea and the Crimean Tatar elite, which was exclusively occupied with internecine struggle and anti-Russian intrigues. The result of this was the liquidation of the failed state and the annexation of its territory to Russia.

Consider this process and everything that preceded it. In 1441, the first Khan of Crimea, Hadji Giray, separated his possessions from the Golden Horde and proclaimed himself an independent ruler. The Girey dynasty descended from Genghis Khan and highly valued their nobility and independence. However, the rise of the military and political power of the Ottoman Empire led to the fact that the next Khan Mengli Giray recognized the supreme power Turkish Sultan and from that time the Crimean Khanate became an ally and vassal of the Ottoman Empire.

Starting from the 15th century, the raids of the Crimeans became a real curse for the Russian state.

The economy of the Crimea was largely built on income received from raids to the north, into the territories inhabited by Russians, which for three centuries were plundered and driven into slavery. Long time Russia had little to oppose to the Crimean raids. The defensive strips in the south - the “notch line” - created in the middle of the 15th century and renovated during the 16th century served only as partial protection against raids, especially since during the Time of Troubles the notch line fell into decay and was restored only at the end of the 30s years of the 16th century.

The English envoy D. Fletcher reports that the way the Tatars waged war was that they were divided into several detachments and, trying to attract the Russians to one or two places on the border, they themselves attacked some other place left without protection. Attacking in small units, the Tatars planted stuffed animals in the form of people on horses to make them seem larger. According to J. Margeret, while 20-30 thousand Tatar horsemen diverted the attention of the main Russian forces, other detachments devastated the Russian borders and returned back without big damage. Through the sent languages, the khans tried to inform Moscow of false information about their intentions and forces.

In fact, a special type of economy was established in the Crimean Khanate, which was called the "raid economy".

The nomadic way of life of the majority of the Crimean population made it possible to quickly mobilize very significant forces, fielding more than 100 thousand soldiers. Almost the entire adult male population of Crimea took part in the raids. However, only a minority of them participated in direct hostilities. Most of the participants in the raid were engaged in robbery and capture of prisoners, mostly children. During the first half of the 16th century alone, there were about 40 attacks by the Crimean Tatars on the territory of the Russian state. The raids occurred mainly at the time when the Russian peasants were involved in field work and could not quickly take refuge in the fortresses: during the sowing or harvesting season. Captured Russian people were sold in the Crimean slave markets. Crimea in the XV-XVI centuries was the largest center of the slave trade, and the Russian state was forced to allocate significant funds for the ransom of the Orthodox, captured by the Tatars. But still, most of the captives ended up in Turkey, the countries of the Middle East, where they remained slaves for life.

If we look at the chronicle of the Crimean campaigns against Russia, we will see with what constancy the southern lands of the Russian state, the Ukrainian and Belarusian lands of Lithuania and Poland were devastated. In 1482, the Tatars captured and burned Kyiv, in 1517 the Tatar army reached Tula, 1521 - the siege of Moscow, 1527 - the ruin of Moscow lands, 1552 - the Crimeans again reached Tula, 1569 a campaign against Astrakhan, 1571 - Moscow was taken and burned, 1591 - a new campaign against Moscow, 1622 - the Tula lands were devastated, 1633 - Ryazan, Tula, Kolomna, Kaluga were devastated, 1659 - a campaign to Kursk and Voronezh , 1717 - Tatar troops reach Tambov. And these are only the most terrible pages of the Crimean raids.

The troops of the Khanate made military campaigns on Russian lands every 2-3 years, as soon as the booty obtained in the last raid ended.

In 1768, after Turkey declared war on Russia, Crimea immediately supported it. On January 27, 1769, the 70,000-strong Tatar army of Krym Girey crossed the Russian border. The Crimean Tatars managed to reach only Elisavetgrad (Kirovograd) and Bakhmut, where they were stopped and driven back by the troops of the Governor-General of Little Russia P.A. Rumyantsev. Having captured two thousand prisoners, the Tatars left for the Dniester. This raid was the last in Russian history. On February 5, 1769, Rumyantsev reported to Catherine II about repulsing the Tatar attack. In 1770, negotiations began with the new Khan of Crimea, Selim Girey, who was offered the independence of Crimea following the results of the Russian-Turkish war. So Russia hoped to split off a strong ally from the Ottoman Empire and secure its southern borders. But the Khan refused, saying that the Crimeans were satisfied with the power of the Sultan and did not want independence. However, the reports of Russian intelligence officers testified that the Tatars were dissatisfied with the new khan. P.A. Rumyantsev wrote in a letter to Catherine II: “The person who brought the letters says that the new Khan is very unloved by the Murzas and Tatars and has almost no communication with anyone, while the Tatars are in great poverty in food and horses ... Tatar society, although he wants to surrender to Russian protection, he is not able to ask for this because the current khan keeps them in no small severity and is very watching to suppress it.

In 1771-1772. during military operations in the territory of Crimea, Russian troops under the command of Prince V.V. Dolgoruky defeated the Khan's army, and Selim Giray fled to Turkey. The supporter of friendship with Russia, Sahib Giray, became the new Crimean Khan. As a result, on November 1, 1772, in Karasubazar, the Crimean Khan signed an agreement with Prince Dolgorukov, according to which the Crimea was declared an independent khanate under the auspices of Russia. The Black Sea ports of Kerch, Kinburn and Yenikale passed to Russia. Leaving the garrisons in the Crimean cities and freeing more than ten thousand Russian captives, Dolgorukov's army went to the Dnieper. The war with Turkey ended with the signing of the Kuchuk-Kaynardzhy peace in 1774, according to which the lands from the Bug and the Kinburn fortress at the mouth of the Dnieper to Azov with the Kuban and Azov, the fortresses of Kerch and Yenikale, which blocked the exit from the Azov to the Black Sea, departed to Russia. The Crimean Khanate was declared independent from Turkey. Russian merchant ships received the right to pass through the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles along with the English and French. Turkey paid Russia an indemnity of four and a half million rubles. The threat to the Russian lands from the south was finally eliminated. But the problem of instability in the Crimea was not resolved, where the contradictions between several of the largest Tatar clans led to constant internal conflicts, which did not contribute to the establishment of a calm and peaceful life on the peninsula.

Friendship with Russia was constantly threatened by part of the pro-Turkish elite.

A series of coups, conspiracies and frequent changes of rulers began. Already in 1774, the pro-Turkish murzas overthrew Sahib Giray and elected Devlet Giray as khan, who in the summer of 1774, supported by Turkish troops, invaded the Crimea by amphibious assault. Until 1776, Devlet Giray was in the Crimea, but then he was driven out of there by Russian troops under the command of A.V. Suvorov and fled to Turkey. Shagin Giray, a supporter of Russia, became Khan. The new Khan began to carry out reforms aimed at the Europeanization and modernization of the Crimea. But this only led to an increase in internal conflict in an unstable state, and in 1777 a rebellion began against Shagin Giray. Turkey immediately took advantage of this, leaving no desire to return the Crimea under its rule, Shahin Giray was proclaimed an infidel because he "sleeps on the bed, sits on chairs and does not pray, as befits a Muslim." In Istanbul, Selim Giray was appointed Crimean Khan, who, with the support of the Turks, landed on the peninsula at the end of 1777. A civil war broke out in Crimea between supporters of the two khans. Russian troops entered the Crimea, who were engaged in restoring order in the khanate engulfed in chaos.

In the summer of 1778, the Turkish fleet, consisting of more than 170 ships, approached the Crimea with a ban on Russian ships sailing along the Crimean coast, threatening to sink them if they did not comply with the ultimatum. But the firm position of A.V. Suvorov, who prepared the Crimea for defense, forced the Turks to take the fleet home. Balancing on the brink of a new war ended on March 10, 1779 with the signing of the Anayly-Kavak Convention of Russia and Turkey, where both powers agreed on the withdrawal of troops from the Crimea, Turkey recognized the independence of the Crimean Khanate and Shahin Giray as its ruler.

Shagin-Giray, who considered himself, according to Potemkin, the Crimean Peter the Great, brutally cracked down on his enemies, which created a considerable number of dissatisfied.

Turkey's attempts to tear away the Crimea did not stop. In 1781, the Ottomans inspired a rebellion by the Khan's brother, Batyr Giray, who was suppressed by the Russian army. Then a new rebellion began, proclaiming Khan Mahmut Giray, but his army was also defeated. Shagin Giray returned to power again, taking revenge on his former opponents, which provoked a new rebellion. For the Russian government, it became obvious that Shagin Giray was incapable of governing the state, he was asked to abdicate and transfer the Crimea to Russia, with which the khan, depressed by the results of his own unsuccessful rule, agreed.

In February 1783, Shagin Giray abdicated the throne, and by the manifesto of Catherine II of April 8, 1783, Crimea became part of the Russian Empire. In June 1783, in Karasubazar, on the top of Mount Ak-Kaya, Prince Potemkin took an oath of allegiance to Russia to the Crimean nobility and representatives of all sections of the Crimean population. The Crimean Khanate ceased to exist. The zemstvo government of the Crimea was organized, which included Prince Shirinsky Mehmetsha, Haji-Kyzy-Aga, Kadiasker Musledin Efendi. By decree of Catherine II of February 2, 1784, the Tauride Region was established under the control of G.A. Potemkin, consisting of the Crimean Peninsula and Taman. And on February 22, 1784, by decree of Catherine II, the Tatar murzas were granted the Russian nobility, land holdings were preserved, but it was forbidden to own Russian serfs. This measure immediately made most of the Tatar nobility supporters of Russia, while those dissatisfied with the Russian government preferred to emigrate to Turkey. Serfdom was not introduced in the Crimea, Russian captives were released. As a base for the Russian fleet in 1784, Sevastopol was founded on the Crimean coast in a convenient bay - "the majestic city".

More than a hundred years of prosperity of the Crimea began as part of the Russian Empire.

During this time, the Crimea from a poor land, whose population lived off agriculture and robbery of neighbors, turned into a prosperous territory, a resort beloved by Russian emperors, a center for agriculture and winemaking, an industrialized region, the largest naval base of the Russian fleet.

An integral part of Russia, inhabited by Russians, seemed to remain one of its most fertile lands, but the fate of Crimea in again has changed and Soviet period during the voluntaristic reforms of N.S. Khrushchev, Crimea was donated to Ukraine under a dubious pretext. This still causes a lot of problems to this day. inner life Ukraine, and in its relations with Russia.

Special for the Centenary