Публикации автора

In the middle of the 15th century, the Golden Horde began to disintegrate, and the Tatar khanates emerged from its remnants. These khanates, which were struggling among themselves, were also in competition with the Grand Duchy of Moscow. In fact, at the end of the 15th century, there were three major power centers in Eastern Europe: the Crimean Khanate, the Grand Duchy of Moscow, and the Kingdom of Lithuania-Poland. In addition, after the conquest of Istanbul, the political balance north of the Black Sea changed and the Crimean Khanate became an Ottomans vassal in 1475. Mengli Giray, who stayed in Istanbul for a while and knew the Ottomans well, followed a balancing policy of his own and acted cautiously. However, his passionate and energetic successor, Mehmed Giray, aspired to revive the Golden Horde and did not hesitate to confront both the Ottoman Empire and the Grand Duchy of Moscow. He succeeded in briefly seizing the Kazan and Astrakhan khanates. However, it became clear that the political conjuncture of the period was not suitable for reviving the Golden Horde. Mehmed Giray ultimately paid the price of this great and courageous initiative with his life.