War and Boundaries in the Balkans. The Principle of Uti Possidetis and Its Evolution (1699–1792)

Authors:

Pages: 373-385
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54664/YNGN3372

Abstract:

This article examines the enforcement and evolution of the uti possidetis principle in determining postwar borders in the Balkans following military conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and its European opponents—primarily the Habsburg Monarchy and Russia—from the late seventeenth to the late eighteenth century. Originating in Roman law, this principle became a cornerstone of Ottoman peace policy. Its enforcement became increasingly complex and inconsistent as the Ottomans began to suffer military defeats. An analysis of key peace treaties from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries reveals that strict, “classical” application of the principle was the exception rather than the rule. Instead, a modified formula emerged, which I would call “ita possideatis ex pacto”. The evolution of the principle of uti possidetis serves as a clear barometer of shifting geopolitical dynamics and the transition from Ottoman hegemony to Great Power politics in Southeastern Europe.

Keywords:

uti possidetis; Ottoman Empire; Balkans; peace treaties; borders.

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