Crimean War

Background: Concert of Europe damaged by the Revolutions of 1848. Ottomans: “Sick Man of Europe” Crimean Peninsula connected to the Ukraine. Russian naval base at Sevastopol. Gave Russia a presence in the Black Sea Russia versus the Allies (Ottoman Empire, Britain, and France)

Crimean War, 1854-1856 French policy: British policy: Napoleon III demands access to holy sites in Turkey Russian wan concession for Orthodox British policy: Prevent Russian expansion in the Near East Stratford Canning, British ambassador, tells Turks to deny Russia

War Begins Russian navy smash Ottoman fleet on Black Sea moved into of Moldavia and Wallachia (Romania) France and Britain demanded evacuation Public opinion sways declaration of war Austria turns back on Russia & slides into Moldavia & Wallachia—technically neutral Piedmont-Sicily uses as an opportunity to gain power Russia v. everyone else…first World War?

And the War Ends… Czar Nicholas I assassinated in 1855 Czar Alexander II begin peace negotiation, war ends in 1856. Treaty of Paris: Russia loses control of trade, Ottomans enter the “Concert of Europe”

Significance & Impact The Crimean War was the first modern conflict Trenches Telegraphs Railways Glory & honor unrealistic in modern war…we are not prepared Brutal: Poor communications, strategic errors, and disease Florence Nightingale French British Ottoman Sardinian Russia Deaths 95,000 21,097 175,300 2,050 450,015 KIA 11% 13% Wounds 21% 10% Disease 63% 77%

Significance & Impact Europe not as unified as they think they are National interests outweigh the Concert Britain & Austria isolates selves France overestimates strength Russia’s weaknesses— begin modernization