Brief Notes on the Treaty of Tilsit

On 8th July 1807 the treaty of Tilsit was concluded between France and Russia. The treaty can be divided into three parts:

1. Main Treaty.

2. Secret Treaty.

3. Treaty with Prussia.

Main Treaty, (a) By the provisions of this treaty Napoleon and Alexander had divided Europe between each other. Napoleon and Alexander were free to interfere according to their will, in Western and Eastern Europe.

(b) Czar Alexander of Russia recognised those new states which were formed by Napoleon.

(c) Russia was not compelled to pay any reparations nor an inch of its territory was taken, but on the other hand Russia was encouraged to extend its Empire in Finland and Turkey.

Secret Treaty:

That was decided between the two Emperors, i.e. Napoleon and Alexander, that England should give up its rights on the sea and she should conclude a treaty with France for which Russia would act as a mediator.

If England did not agree to it within a month, Russia and France should declare war against England and they would also encourage Denmark, Sweden and Portugal to wage war against England.

Anyhow Canning could know about this secret treaty and he asked Denmark to surrender its fleet to England but Denmark did not agree to do so. Hence England had to take over its fleet by force.

In the same way France was to act as a mediator to settle the dispute between Russia and Turkey, and if Turkey refused to accept this proposal she would be attacked and divided between France and Russia.

Russia also wanted to establish its supremacy over Constantinople but Napoleon refused outright, saying “Constantinople: Never that would be the mastery of the world.”