Diplomatic relations between Ottoman Empire and Kingdom of Sardinia (1853-1861)

In the first half of the 19th century, the center of Ottoman diplomatic relations was largely occupied by Great Powers such as England, France, Russia, and Austria. However, over time, diplomatic relations with other European states began to develop due to political, military, and commercial developments. One of these states was the Kingdom of Sardinia, a leading state in Italy where political unity did not yet exist, but emerged as a growing power in the mid-19th century. Initially driven mainly by commercial relations, Ottoman-Sardinian relations took on a new dimension with the Crimean War (1853-1856). The Kingdom of Sardinia joined the alliance formed by France and England with the Ottoman Empire to gain support for its efforts to establish political unity in Italy. Thus, Ottoman-Sardinian diplomatic relations gained further importance and became more comprehensive. The degree of diplomatic representation between the two states increased, and new trade agreements were signed. Despite tensions in Ottoman-Sardinian relations after the Crimean War due to debates about the status of Eflak and Boğdan, this did not last long. Another development influencing the course of relations between the two states was the beginning of the Second Italian War of Independence led by the Kingdom of Sardinia. During this process, in addition to political and military conflicts among Italian states, a France-Sardinia alliance was formed against Austria. This process, deeply affecting European politics and culminating in the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy on March 17, 1861, was closely monitored by Ottoman administration. The recognition of the new state, determination of diplomatic representatives, and the negotiation of new trade agreements became the main agenda between the two states. This thesis aims to highlight the fundamental issues in Ottoman Empire and Kingdom of Sardinia diplomatic relations between 1853 and 1861, starting with the Crimean War and ending with the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy. In this thesis, archival documents obtained from the Presidency Ottoman Archives, published archival documents from the period, and State Yearbooks were extensively utilized as primary sources. In addition to these, the study consulted theses, memoirs, articles, and books contributing to the research on the subject.