Established eastern Georgia as a Russian protectorate, reshaping Caucasian geopolitics and ultimately leading to Georgia's annexation into the Russian Empire.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- July 24, 1783
- Parties
- Russian Empire and Kartli-Kakheti
- Status of Georgia
- Protectorate of Russia
- Dynasty protected
- Bagrationi
- Treaty scrapped
- 1801, when Russia annexed Georgian lands
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The eastern Georgian kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti sought protection from Persian and Ottoman threats. Russia, seeking to expand its influence in the Caucasus, saw an opportunity to formalize a subordinate relationship with Georgia under the guise of a mutual security arrangement.
On July 24, 1783, in Georgievsk, Russia and Kartli-Kakheti signed a bilateral treaty. Russia guaranteed Georgia's territorial integrity and the continuation of its Bagrationi dynasty, while Georgia ceded control of its foreign affairs to the Russian Empire, effectively becoming a Russian protectorate.
Russia failed to honor its defensive commitments when Georgian cities were attacked, damaging both parties' reputations. Catherine II belatedly declared war on Persia to restore Russian prestige, but the effort was short-lived. In 1801, Russia violated the treaty outright by annexing Georgian lands and deposing the Georgian monarchy.
Political Outcome
Eastern Georgia became a Russian protectorate; the treaty was ultimately violated when Russia annexed Georgia in 1801 and deposed its monarchy.
Kartli-Kakheti was an independent kingdom navigating Persian and Ottoman pressures
Kartli-Kakheti became a Russian protectorate, ceding control of foreign affairs to Russia