The Foreign Policy of the Crimean Khanate in 16th Century

Abstract

The Crimean Khanate was in constant struggle in order to keep its position both against other neighbouring countries and the Ottoman Empire, on which it depended. Thus, given these aspects of the subject were very complex, it required a wise foreign policy to be executed on various fronts. During 15th century, the Crimean Khanate and its rulers had their foreign relations with the Ottoman Empire, Russia, Poland and Kazakhs at times. They experienced difficulties the degree of the dependence on the Ottoman Empire. As in the case of previous periods, they tried to strengthen their autonomous position during this semi-independent period. Inherited with the Golden Horde they had tough relations with Russia. They were confronted with Poland as it spilled over Ukrainian territory. Moreover, even though Kazakhs, the rulers of Ukraine, had not been incapable of acting independently yet, as a result of being provoked by Russia and Poland, they were confronted with the Crimean Khanate. This study seeks to uncover the foreign affairs of the Crimean Khanate and its rulers with different elements in various fields.