Austro-Turkish War (1788–1791)
In August 1787, the Ottoman Empire declared war on Russia after numerous provocations. Austrian Emperor Joseph II had signed an alliance with Catherine the Great in 1781. That agreement obligated Vienna to assist the Russians with full might. Hochedlinger notes that Austria felt it had to act promptly to avoid annoying the Empress of Russia. Joseph II feared another empty-handed outcome like the one from Crimea between 1783 and 1784. He faced serious threats elsewhere in his empire, including what is now Belgium. Long-term tensions existed with Prussia, a powerful northern neighbor. War could not have come at a more inopportune moment for the Habsburg monarchy.
Austrian forces entered the conflict in February 1788. They lost their best chance for an easy victory due to slow Russian preparations. The Ottomans concentrated their forces on Belgrade while waiting for support. Supply shortages hampered both sides throughout the fighting. Disease struck the Austrian soldiers as they advanced into Ottoman territory. As many as 50,000 Serb refugees flooded across the Danube river. These refugees caused major logistical problems for the advancing armies. In mid-August, Joseph II dispatched 20,400 soldiers into the Banat region. A Serbian Free Corps of 5,000 soldiers fought alongside them. Field Marshal Laudon led a three-week campaign that took Belgrade in 1789. General de Vins commanded victories at Cetingrad under difficult conditions. Suvorov provided overall command during battles at Focşani and Rymnik. Josias of Saxe-Coburg conquered Bucharest before the war ended.
Outbreaks of malaria and other diseases played a major role at the front lines. Braunbehrens reports that lazarettos were filled to capacity during 1788. Half the army was sick while thousands of soldiers died from illness. Joseph II spent most of the war at the front despite his age. He fell ill there and ultimately died after returning home on the 20th of February 1790. The disease outbreaks devastated troop strength throughout the conflict period. Soldiers suffered from preventable illnesses due to poor sanitation and crowded camps. The health crisis weakened military effectiveness more than enemy action in some areas.
Joseph's successor Leopold II felt compelled to end the war quickly. Prussian intervention threatened support for the Ottomans if fighting continued. The Treaty of Sistova established final terms on the 4th of August 1791. Austria returned all territory from its conquests except Orsova. A small strip of Croatian land near the Bosnian-Croatian border remained under Habsburg control. This included Drežnik Grad, Cetin Castle, Donji Lapac, and Srb. Britannica describes these gains as meagre compared to earlier victories. Russia won new territory along the Black Sea instead. The Treaty of Jassy on the 9th of January 1792 forced Turks to acknowledge previous Russian conquests. Serbia remained an Ottoman possession after the final treaty settlement ended hostilities.
The war had serious negative effects on the economy of Austria. Calinger notes that Joseph II needed stability in foreign affairs to establish domestic reforms. War stopped progress in creating a modern civil society. The national debt soared to 22 million gulden by 1789. In 1790 it reached 400 million gulden according to official records. Food prices rose sharply while taxes increased across the empire. A new conscription was implemented to replenish lost troops. Bread riots erupted after the bad harvest of 1788/89. Emperor Joseph's popularity plummeted among his subjects. Solomon writes that morale of the cultural elite was severely eroded. Fears of conscription led many aristocratic families to leave Vienna. Widespread feelings of disillusionment grew with the emperor's betrayal of reform promises.
Serbia had been under Ottoman rule before the war began. Rajić explains that wars from the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries instilled deep expectations in Serbian consciousness. Only Austria could lend a helping hand to liberate Serbia from Ottoman control. This faith was largely shaken after Kočina Krajina and the last Austro-Turkish War. Despite Serbs' merits and heavy casualties fighting against Turks, the emperor abandoned them. Peace negotiations made with the sultan proved devastating for Serbian hopes. Russia superseded Austria in Serbs plans to restore their state. The abandonment shifted political allegiance from Vienna to St. Petersburg permanently. Future history of Serbia would follow different paths than Habsburg expectations predicted.
Common questions
When did the Austro-Turkish War 1788-1791 begin and end?
Austrian forces entered the conflict in February 1788. The Treaty of Sistova established final terms on the 4th of August 1791.
Who led Austrian military campaigns during the Austro-Turkish War 1788-1791?
Field Marshal Laudon led a three-week campaign that took Belgrade in 1789. General de Vins commanded victories at Cetingrad while Josias of Saxe-Coburg conquered Bucharest before the war ended.
What caused high mortality rates among soldiers in the Austro-Turkish War 1788-1791?
Outbreaks of malaria and other diseases played a major role at the front lines. Half the army was sick while thousands of soldiers died from illness due to poor sanitation and crowded camps.
How much did the national debt increase during the Austro-Turkish War 1788-1791?
The national debt soared to 22 million gulden by 1789. In 1790 it reached 400 million gulden according to official records.
Why did Serbia shift political allegiance from Vienna to St. Petersburg after the Austro-Turkish War 1788-1791?
Russia superseded Austria in Serbs plans to restore their state because Emperor Joseph II abandoned them during peace negotiations with the sultan. The abandonment shifted political allegiance from Vienna to St. Petersburg permanently.