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Events on Monday 26 January 1699 2
1699Treaty of Karlowitz -- territorial retreat beginsThe Treaty of Karlowitz (26 January 1699) ends the Great Turkish War (1683-1699) and is the first major Ottoman territorial concession in Europe. Hungary, Transylvania and Slavonia go to Austria; Podolia to Poland; the Morea (Peloponnese) to Venice. The treaty establishes the pattern of the 18th and 19th centuries: Ottoman military defeat followed by territorial concession, followed by partial recovery, followed by further defeat. Karlowitz marks the moment when the Ottoman Empire definitively shifts from expanding power to defensive empire.
1699Treaty of Karlowitz -- the template for retreatThe Treaty of Karlowitz (26 January 1699) establishes the template for the next two centuries of Ottoman diplomacy: military defeat followed by territorial concession followed by partial recovery. Hungary, Transylvania and Slavonia go to Austria; Podolia to Poland; the Morea to Venice; Azov to Russia. For the first time Ottoman delegates negotiate as a defeated power rather than dictating terms. The concept of uti possidetis -- keeping what you hold -- replaces the Ottoman expectation of recovering all lost territory. Karlowitz is psychologically as damaging as militarily: it ends the assumption of Ottoman invincibility.