Paper title:
 From Akyar to Sevastopol: the Development of the Port City until the World War I
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4316/CC.2024.01.05
Published in:
Issue 1 (Vol. 30) / 2024
Publishing date:
2024-07-31
Pages:
107 - 122
Author(s):
Yunus Emre Aydin, Ulaş Kutsi Çezik
Abstract:
 Akyar is a fortified port city located on the southern tip of the Crimean Peninsula. Originally a small Tatar settlement, this area was annexed by the Russians in 1783 and the city was renamed Sevastopol. While this port was once used as a trading port, the city’s true importance stems from its being the centre of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. As is well known, a key factor shaping Russian foreign policy for long had been their quest for access to warm waters. When considering Russian geography, the rationale behind this endeavour becomes clear. In pursuit of this ambition, the Straits played a crucial role. To each the Straits, it was necessary to first establish naval superiority in the Black Sea with a strong fleet. Prioritizing the Black Sea Fleet was not the only reason for the Russians, but they saw it as a defensive necessity. In this context, following the annexation of Crimea in 1783, this port city under Russian rule gradually became the centre of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Although it continued to be used as a trading port for a long time, especially in the last quarter of the 19th century, the necessity of turning it into a naval base started to be discussed, and ultimately the port of Sevastopol was transformed into a naval base. This study examines the transformation of Sevastopol from a small Tatar settlement into the centre of the Russian Black Sea Fleet
Keywords:
 Sevastopol, Crimea, Ottoman Empire, Russian Empire, Black Sea




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