The Turks nevertheless decided to move on a new campaign against Vienna. In 1683, a 150,000-strong army under the command of the vizier Kara Mustafa laid siege to the Austrian capital. The Viennese had a hard time. The cannonade did not stop day or night, the assault followed the assault. The Turks were already trying to hoist the banner of Islam on the spire of St. Stephen's Cathedral, but at the last moment, the valiant Polish king Jan Sobessky came to the aid of the besieged. The battle lasted 14 hours, finally, the Turks faltered and fled, leaving their tents and weapons. Military glory went to Jan Sobessky, political benefits were received by Emperor Leopold. Within a few years, Austria recaptured Hungary, Transylvania, Slovenia and Serbia. Venice took the Peloponnese from the Turks. The Maltese, having not lost their warlike fervor for 500 years, also continued to fight against the "infidels".
In 1686, Russia joins the opponents of the Turks, which, having not previously had political interests in the Balkans, maintained peace with the Ottoman Empire. But now Russia was on the eve of her historic breakthrough to the seas, and therefore Turkey is turning into a rival, to which England, Poland and Venice contribute a lot. In the war, Russia acquired only the fortress of Azov at the mouth of the Don, however, soon lost, and by the grace of England and Holland - "mediators" in the post-war negotiations - did not even conclude a lasting peace with the Turks.
So by the beginning of the XVIII century. the political map and the alignment of forces are changing. The seeds of new conflicts are ripening. A new force intervenes in the fight - Russia. Habsburg Austria remains a participant in the conflict, gradually taking over the Turkish heritage. The Ottoman Empire, having exhausted its strength in the last onslaught on Europe, is in crisis. Ahead - new battles, new heroes and victims, a new redrawing of borders.
https://all-andorra.blogspot.com/2020/06/news-update-26052020-1134.html
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