Treaty of Georgievsk

Dublin Core

Title

Treaty of Georgievsk

Subject

Georgia, part 1

Description

In 1783, the Treaty of Georgievsk was signed, between the Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti, in Eastern Georgia, under King Irlaki II, and Russia, under Catherine II. The relationship was initiated by King Irlaki II. The major elements that came out of the treaty were that King Irlaki II would submit to Russia (rather than the Ottoman empire), by way of “[determining] solemnly and precisely his duties with regard to the All-Russian Empire,” in the words of the treaty. In turn, Georgia would benefit from Russia's protection, or, according to the treaty, “the defense, support and refuge to the said [Georgian] people and to their Most Serene Sovereigns, against the oppression of their neighbors, to which they were susceptible.”

The Treaty of Georgievsk was not an endpoint on a trajectory, but rather the beginning of a longterm relationship that extended through the time of the Soviet Union. Soon after, in 1801, Paul I of Russia annexed Georgia.

While the incorporation of Georgia was indubitably an act of expansion, it is also an indication that Russia’s empire building and expansionist activities were not only a process of forced invasion, but could be one side of a mutually beneficial relationship. An article in The Voice of Russia points out that the treaty was helpful to both Russia and Georgia. Russia benefited from the opportunity to establish itself in the Caucasus region while, according to expert Felix Stanevsky, Georgia benefitted from a period of cultural freedom and richness. As indicated by the treaty, Gorgia also benefitted from the protection provided by Russia.

Creator

Group 5

Source

Yeltsin Presidential Library. “Treaty of Georgievsk signed 230 years ago - Eastern Georgia becomes a protectorate of Russia.” N.p. n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://www.prlib.ru/en-us/history/pages/item.aspx?itemid=901>

“Dialogue of Cultures.” Voice of Russia. The Voice of Russia, 31 July 2013. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://voiceofrussia.com/2013_07_31/Dialogue-of-cultures-4225/>

Martin, Russell E. “Treaty of Georgievsk.” Westminster. N.p. n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://www.westminster.edu/staff/martinre/Treaty.html>

Solaris, Saltus. “Fragmentation of Oppressed Nations as an Instrument of Keeping W. Caucasus under Russian Control.” Live Journal, 12 June 2012. Web. 12 Feb. 2014. <http://baltvilks.livejournal.com/68540.html>

Date

July 24, 1783

Event Item Type Metadata

Duration

One day

Event Type

Signing of a treaty

Participants

Russia and Kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti

Comments

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