xxxxxAs we have seen, the defeat of the Ottoman Turks at the Battle of Kahlenberg in 1683 (C2), which prevented them taking Vienna, led to a counter offensive. The Austrians drove the Turks out of most of Hungary, and then gained a resounding victory at the Second Battle of Mohacs in 1687. But the most significant blow to Turkish ambitions in Europe came ten years later in 1697 when the Austrians, led by Prince Eugene of Savoy, met and virtually annihilated the Turkish army at the Battle of Zenta. This paved the way for the Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699, a settlement which made Austria the dominant power in east-central Europe.

THE BATTLE OF ZENTA  1697  (W3)

Acknowledgements

Zenta: by the Serbian painter Franz Eisenhut (1857-1903), 1896. Map (Central Europe): from www.tacitus.nu/historicalatlas.

xxxxxAs we have seen, the failure of the Ottoman Turks to take the city of Vienna in 1683 (C2) following their defeat at the Battle of Kahlenberg, opened the way for a counter offensive. The Holy League was formed between Austria, Poland and Venice (and supported by Russia) with the aim of recapturing areas of eastern and central Europe. Over the next four years, Charles of Lorraine, the Austrian field marshal who had taken a major role in the defence of Vienna, drove the Turks out of most of Hungary, and in August 1687 sealed his success with a resounding victory at the Second Battle of Mohacs.


xxxxxBut the final blow to Turkish hopes of becoming a major power in central Europe came ten years later in September 1697, when they were finally expelled from all but a small part of Hungary. The Austrians, led by Prince Eugene of Savoy, caught up with the Ottoman Turks just outside Zenta - now Senta - some 135 miles south-east of Budapest. The Turkish army was in the process of crossing the river Tisa by means of a makeshift bridge. When the cavalry had made their crossing, the Austrians intervened and destroyed the bridge, leaving the Turkish infantry at their mercy. It is estimated that they suffered some 30,000 casualties compared with 500 on the Austrian side. This paved the way for the Treaty of Karlowitz.

Including:

The Treaty

of Karlowitz

xxxxxThe Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699 greatly reduced Turkish influence in east-central Europe, and made Austria the dominant power in that region. Austria gained Transylvania, Croatia and Slavonia in the Balkans and virtually all of Hungary. Poland received Podolia and the southern Ukraine, and Venice lost all conquests north of the Isthmus of Corinth, save for the Morea (the Poloponnese peninsula in southern Greece). The Russians kept the port of Azov on the Black Sea, but lost it again in 1711. As we shall see (1718 G1), the Turks went on the offensive again in 1715, but their days of conquest in Europe were virtually over.

xxxxxThe Battle of Zenta paved the way for the Treaty of Karlowitz two years later. This wide ranging settlement greatly diminished Turkish influence in east-central Europe, and made Austria the dominant power in this area. For the first time, the Ottoman Turks conceded defeat and were prepared to negotiate, but it took no less than 72 days to complete the settlement. By it, Austria gained Transylvania, Croatia and Slavonia in the Balkans, and virtually all of Hungary. Poland received Podolia and the southern Ukraine, and Venice was obliged to restore all her conquests north of the Isthmus of Corinth, but retained the Morea (the Poloponnese peninsula in southern Greece) until 1718, when it was returned to Turkish control. Russia kept the port of Azov, thus gaining a vital outlet onto the Black Sea, but lost it to the Ottomans in 1711 and did not recover it until 1783.


xxxxxAs we shall see (G1 1718), the Ottoman Empire again went on the offensive in 1715, but during the remainder of the 18th century a series of wars against Russia and Austria accelerated the empire's decline and led to the loss of more territory. There remained a serious lack of leadership, and this hampered any meaningful reform.

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