Treaty of Paris (1856)
Congress of Paris, Paris, France
What happened
Russia made peace with the Ottoman Empire, France, Britain and Sardinia, with Austria and Prussia also signing. At the end of the Crimean War, the great powers met in Paris to make peace. Russia got back Sevastopol and other towns in Crimea, but returned land in Bessarabia and gave up its claim to protect Christians in the Ottoman Empire. The Black Sea was made neutral, closed to warships, with no forts allowed on its shores.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It ended the Crimean War and brought the Ottoman Empire into the circle of European great powers. A separate declaration at the same congress banned privateering, the use of private armed ships in war, and set rules to protect neutral shipping.
What came next
A European commission was set up to keep the River Danube open for trade. Russia rejected the Black Sea limits in 1871, and Russia and the Ottomans fought again in 1877.
Did you know?
The Paris Declaration on sea law was the first treaty that other countries could join later; 55 states and cities eventually signed it.
Timeline
- 1853The Crimean War begins.
- 30 March 1856The Treaty of Paris is signed.
- 16 April 1856The Paris Declaration bans privateering.
- 1871Russia rejects the Black Sea limits.
- 1877Russia and the Ottoman Empire go to war again.