The Treaty of Unkiar Skelessi was signed in 1833 between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. The treaty was part of a rapprochement between the two nations and basically stated they would support each other if attacked by a foreign power. France and England, being suspicious of this treaty held the London Straits Convention, which more or less made the Treaty of Unkiar Skelessi useless and killed the rapprochement between the two nations.
A few years later that would lead to the Crimean War, where Russia was promptly owned.
The POD here is Britain and France give greater backing to Egypt in the Ottoman-Egypt War and Russia gives more support to the Ottomans. This leads to worse relations with the western nations. The Treaty of Unkiar Skelessi is signed as usual. Later the London Straits Convention happens but the Ottoman Empire and Russia both reject the terms. Russia because of obvious reasons and the Ottoman Empire because they see it as infringing on their rights, and because of resentment in the Egypt war.
A few years later, armed with a butterfly net, Emperor Napoleon III attempts to intimidate the Ottomans by sending a naval task force to the Black Sea, as in OTL. The difference here is that the Ottomans refuse to back down. Russia secretly reaffirms their support of the Ottomans as per their treaty.
Now things can go a few ways here. Two interesting possibilities. The French task force retreats after a tense stand off and Russia and the Ottomans pat themselves on the back. Or the other option, France and Britain eager to put the two eastern empires 'in their place' dont back down. The Ottomans call their bluff, tensions are flared, shots are fired and this scenario's version of the Crimean War begins. Russia and the Ottomans (plus allies?) VS France and Britain (plus allies).
Thoughts or comments? What happens next?
A few years later that would lead to the Crimean War, where Russia was promptly owned.
The POD here is Britain and France give greater backing to Egypt in the Ottoman-Egypt War and Russia gives more support to the Ottomans. This leads to worse relations with the western nations. The Treaty of Unkiar Skelessi is signed as usual. Later the London Straits Convention happens but the Ottoman Empire and Russia both reject the terms. Russia because of obvious reasons and the Ottoman Empire because they see it as infringing on their rights, and because of resentment in the Egypt war.
A few years later, armed with a butterfly net, Emperor Napoleon III attempts to intimidate the Ottomans by sending a naval task force to the Black Sea, as in OTL. The difference here is that the Ottomans refuse to back down. Russia secretly reaffirms their support of the Ottomans as per their treaty.
Now things can go a few ways here. Two interesting possibilities. The French task force retreats after a tense stand off and Russia and the Ottomans pat themselves on the back. Or the other option, France and Britain eager to put the two eastern empires 'in their place' dont back down. The Ottomans call their bluff, tensions are flared, shots are fired and this scenario's version of the Crimean War begins. Russia and the Ottomans (plus allies?) VS France and Britain (plus allies).
Thoughts or comments? What happens next?
