Causes of the Crimean War (1853-1856)
The Crimean War corresponded to the long-standing dream of Nicholas I to get the Black Sea straits into Russian possession, which Catherine the Great dreamed of. This was contrary to the plans of the Great European Powers, which intended to oppose Russia and help the Ottomans in the coming war.
The main causes of the Crimean War
The history of the Russian-Turkish wars is incredibly long and controversial, however, the Crimean War is perhaps the brightest page in this history. There were many reasons for the Crimean War of 1853-1856, but they all agreed on one thing: Russia sought to destroy the dying empire, while Turkey opposed this and was going to use military operations to suppress the liberation movement of the Balkan peoples. The plans of London and Paris did not include the strengthening of Russia, so they expected to weaken it, at best, separating Finland, Poland, the Caucasus and Crimea from Russia. In addition, the French still remembered the humiliating loss of the war with the Russians during the reign of Napoleon.
Rice. 1. Map of the fighting of the Crimean War.
During the accession to the throne of Emperor Napoleon III, Nicholas I did not consider him a legitimate ruler, since after the Patriotic War and the Foreign Campaign, the Bonaparte dynasty was excluded from possible contenders for the throne in France. The Russian Emperor addressed Napoleon in a congratulatory letter as "my friend" and not "my brother", as etiquette required. It was a personal slap in the face of one emperor to another.
Rice. 2. Portrait of Nicholas I.
Briefly about the causes of the Crimean War of 1853-1856, we will collect information in the table.
The immediate reason for the fighting was the question of control in Bethlehem of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The Turkish sultan handed over the keys to the Catholics, which offended Nicholas I, which led to the outbreak of hostilities through the entry of Russian troops into the territory of Moldova.
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Rice. 3. Portrait of Admiral Nakhimov, a participant in the Crimean War.
Reasons for Russia's defeat in the Crimean War
Russia took an unequal battle in the Crimean (or as printed in the Western press - Eastern) war. But this was not the only reason for the future defeat.
The Allied forces greatly outnumbered the Russian soldiers. Russia fought with dignity and was able to achieve the maximum during this war, although it lost it.
Another reason for the defeat was the diplomatic isolation of Nicholas I. He pursued a flamboyant imperialist policy, which caused irritation and hatred on the part of his neighbors.
Despite the heroism of the Russian soldier and some officers, theft took place among the highest ranks. A vivid example of this is A.S. Menshikov, who was nicknamed the "traitor".
An important reason is the military-technical backwardness of Russia from the countries of Europe. So, when sailing ships were still in service in Russia, the French and English fleets already made full use of the steam fleet, which showed its best side during the calm. Allied soldiers used rifled guns that fired more accurately and farther than Russian smoothbore guns. The situation was similar in artillery.
The classic reason was the low level of infrastructure development. Railways did not yet lead to the Crimea, and the spring thaws killed the road system, which reduced the provision of the army.
The result of the war was the Treaty of Paris, according to which Russia did not have the right to have a navy on the Black Sea, and also lost its protectorate over the Danubian principalities and returned South Bessarabia to Turkey.
What have we learned?
Although the Crimean War was lost, it showed Russia the ways of future development and pointed out weaknesses in the economy, military affairs, and the social sphere. There was a patriotic upsurge throughout the country, and the heroes of Sevastopol were made national heroes.
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