The significance and causes of the Crimean War of 1853-1856

The middle of the 19th century for the Russian Empire was marked by a tense diplomatic struggle for the Black Sea straits. Attempts to settle the issue by diplomatic means failed and did lead to a conflict. In 1853 the Russian Empire launched a war against the Ottoman Empire for domination in the Black Sea straits. The Crimean War of 1853-1856, briefly speaking, is a clash of interests of European states in the Middle East and the Balkans. The leading European states formed an anti-Russian coalition, including Turkey, the French Empire, Sardinia and Great Britain. The Crimean War of 1853-1856 covered vast territories, stretching for many kilometers. Active fighting was conducted in several directions at once. The Russian Empire was compelled to fight not only directly in the Crimea, but also in the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Far East. Significant were the clashes on the seas - Black, White and Baltic.

Causes of conflict

The causes of the Crimean War of 1853-1856 historians define differently. So, the British scientists consider the unprecedented growth of the aggressiveness of Mykolaiv Russia as the main reason for the war, the emperor led to an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East and the Balkans. Turkish historians define the main cause of the war as Russia's desire to establish its domination over the Black Sea straits, which would make the Black Sea the inner reservoir of the empire. The dominant causes of the Crimean War of 1853-1856 are covered by Russian historiography, which claims that the clash was prompted by Russia's desire to improve its shaky position in the international arena. In the opinion of the majority of historians, a whole series of cause-and-effect events led to the war, and for each of the participating countries the prerequisites for war were their own. Therefore, until now, scientists in the current conflict of interests do not come to a common definition of the cause of the Crimean War of 1853-1856.

Conflict of interest

Having considered the causes of the Crimean War of 1853-1856, we will proceed to the beginning of hostilities. The reason for this was the conflict between the Orthodox and Catholics for control over the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which was in the jurisdiction of the Ottoman Empire. Russia's ultimatum demand to give her the keys to the temple caused a protest from the Ottomans, actively supported by France and Britain. Russia, not reconciled to the failure of its plans in the Middle East, decided to switch to the Balkans and introduced its units to the Danube Principalities.

The course of the Crimean War of 1853-1856.

It would be advisable to divide the conflict into two periods. The first stage (November 1953 - April 1854) is a direct Russo-Turkish conflict, during which Russia's hopes for support from Britain and Austria were not justified. Formed two fronts - in the Caucasus and the Crimea. The only significant victory of Russia was the Sinop naval battle in November 1853, during which the Black Sea fleet of the Turks was defeated.

Defense of Sevastopol and the Battle of Inkerman

The second period lasted until February 1856 and was marked by the struggle of the union of European states with Turkey. The landing of Allied forces in the Crimea forced the Russian troops to retreat deep into the peninsula. The only inaccessible citadel was Sevastopol. In the autumn of 1854 the brave defense of Sevastopol began. The mediocre command of the Russian army was more likely to hamper than to help the defenders of the city. Within 11 months, sailors, led by Nakhimov P., Istomin V., Kornilov V. were repulsed by enemy attacks. And only after it was inadvisable to keep the city, the defenders, leaving, blew up the warehouses with weapons and burned everything that could burn, thereby disrupting the plans of the Allied forces to seize the naval base.

Russian troops made attempts to divert the attention of the Allies from Sevastopol. But all of them turned out to be unsuccessful. Collision near Inkerman, an offensive operation on the area of Evpatoria, a battle on the Black River did not bring the Russian army of glory, but showed its backwardness, outdated weapons and inability to properly conduct military operations. All these actions brought Russia's defeat in the war. But it is worth noting that the Allied troops got it. The forces of England and France by the end of 1855 were exhausted, and there was no sense in transferring new forces to the Crimea.

Caucasian and Balkan Fronts

The Crimean War of 1853-1856, which we tried to briefly describe, embraced the Caucasian front, events on which developed somewhat differently. The situation there was more favorable for Russia. Attempts by Turkish troops to invade Transcaucasia were unsuccessful. And the Russian troops could even advance into the depths of the Ottoman Empire and capture the Turkish fortresses of Bayazet in 1854 and Kare in 1855. The actions of the Allies in the Baltic and White Seas and the Far East did not have significant strategic success. And rather exhausted the military forces as allies, and the Russian Empire. Therefore, the end of 1855 was marked by the actual cessation of hostilities on all fronts. The warring parties sat down at the negotiating table to sum up the results of the Crimean War of 1853-1856.

Completion and results

Negotiations between Russia and the Allies in Paris culminated in the conclusion of a peace treaty. Under the pressure of internal problems, the hostile attitude of Prussia, Austria and Sweden, Russia was forced to accept the Allies' demands for neutralizing the Black Sea. The ban on justifying naval bases and navy deprived Russia of all the achievements of previous wars with Turkey. In addition, Russia undertook not to build fortifications on the Åland Islands and was forced to give control of the Danube principalities to the allies. Bessarabia handed over the Ottoman Empire.

In general, the results of the Crimean War of 1853-1856. Were ambiguous. The conflict pushed the European world to total rearmament of its armies. And this meant that the production of new weapons was stepping up and the strategy and tactics of military operations were radically changing.

The Ottoman Empire, having spent millions of pounds on the Crimean War, led the country's budget to complete bankruptcy. Debts before England forced the Turkish sultan to agree to freedom of religious cults and equality of all, regardless of nationality. Britain sent Aberdeen's cabinet of Ministers to resign and formed a new one, led by Palmerston, who abolished the sale of officer officers.

The results of the Crimean War of 1853-1856 forced Russia to turn to reforms. Otherwise, it could fall into the abyss of social problems, which, in turn, would lead to a popular riot, the result of which no one would have predicted. The experience of the war was used in the conduct of military reform.

The Crimean War (1853-1856), the defense of Sevastopol and other events of this conflict left a significant mark in history, literature and painting. Writers, poets and artists in their works tried to reflect the entire heroism of the soldiers defending the Sevastopol citadel, and the great significance of the war for the Russian Empire.