Description

Why did Russia take Bessarabia in 1812? Armand Goșu explores this question. This land formed part of Moldavia. It lay between the Prut and Dniester rivers. He argues that world events did more to shape the outcome. Peace talks with the Ottomans played a smaller role. The two sides held these talks at Giurgiu and Bucharest.

The book tells the history of ties between states. It is for readers drawn to Europe in the early 1800s. It traces the third group of allies against Napoleon. It covers Russia's talks with the Ottomans on an alliance in 1805. It then tracks events through the Peace of Bucharest. It also covers Napoleon's invasion of Russia. Goșu shows how these struggles moved borders. They also shaped the futures of states.

French spies move from Paris to Istanbul, Damascus and Tehran. Russian officers take secret messages to London and the Ottoman court. Corrupt officials in Ottoman service work for foreign powers. Phanariot families seek favour from Russia. They also seek the thrones in Bucharest and Iași.

Goșu studies the history of the former Soviet region. He uses records that no one had published before. Key evidence comes from Russian archives. These records reveal private deals behind public events. This second edition adds to and revises the work. It forms part of the HISTORIA series.