The impact of the Crimean question on Georgian–Russian relations (1783–1784)

This paper considers the reasons for drafting an additional article to the Treaty of Georgievsk, which concerns the issue of consecrating Georgian monarchs as kings. As it is evidenced from archive materials, in May-June 1783, King Erekle II of Kartl-Kakheti (Eastern Georgia) suspended the process of signing the Russian-Georgian agreement for almost a month and a half. He gave his consent to formalize the treaty at the end of June, although at the same time, he requested that the right of coronation of Georgian monarchs be reflected in the treaty. Prior to signing the treaty, Georgian ambassadors also made the same proposal, but it was turned down by Russia. Erekle II soon sent his representative to the imperial court and again insisted on having his conditions taken into consideration. The Russian empress finally approved the Georgian king’s proposition in September 1783.Erekle II’s appeals make it clear that he linked the right to the coronation of the king in the treaty with the factor of the inviolability of the existence of the kingdom. With this request, he wanted to receive an additional guarantee from the empire that his kingdom would not be abolished in the future. Such a proposition has never been made by the king of Georgia. In our opinion, the developments taking place in the Crimean Khanate had an impact on Erekle II’s cautious policy. He put forward this new demand at a time when the news about the annexation of Crimea was widely spread.