The middle of the 19th century for the Russian Empire was marked by a tense diplomatic struggle for the Black Sea straits. Attempts to resolve the issue through diplomacy failed and led to a conflict altogether. In 1853, the Russian Empire went to war against the Ottoman Empire for dominance in the Black Sea straits. The Crimean War of 1853-1856, in short, is a clash of interests of European states in the Middle East and the Balkans. The leading European states formed an anti-Russian coalition, which included Turkey, the French Empire, Sardinia and Great Britain. The Crimean War of 1853-1856 covered large territories and stretched for many kilometers. Active hostilities were carried out in several directions at once. The Russian Empire was forced to fight not only directly in the Crimea, but also in the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Far East. Collisions on the seas - Black, White and B altic were also significant.
Causes of conflict
The causes of the Crimean War of 1853-1856 are defined differently by historians. Thus, British scientiststhe cause of the war is considered an unprecedented increase in the aggressiveness of Nikolaev Russia, the emperor led to an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East and the Balkans. Turkish historians, on the other hand, define the main reason for the war as Russia's desire to establish its dominance over the Black Sea straits, which would make the Black Sea an internal reservoir of the empire. The dominant causes of the Crimean War of 1853-1856 are illuminated by Russian historiography, which claims that Russia's desire to improve its shaky position in the international arena prompted the clash. According to most historians, a whole complex of causal events led to the war, and for each of the participating countries, the prerequisites for the war were their own. Therefore, until now, scientists in the current conflict of interest have not come to a single definition of the cause of the Crimean War of 1853-1856.
Clash of Interest
Having considered the causes of the Crimean War of 1853-1856, let's move on 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 under the jurisdiction of the Ottoman Empire. Russia's ultimatum demand to give her the keys to the temple provoked a protest from the Ottomans, who were actively supported by France and Great Britain. Russia, not resigned to the failure of its plans in the Middle East, decided to switch to the Balkans and sent its units to the Danubian Principalities.
The course of the Crimean War of 1853-1856
It would be appropriate to divide the conflict into two periods. The first stage (November 1953 - April 1854) is directly the Russian-Turkish conflict, during which Russia's hopes for support from Great Britain and Austria did not materialize. Two fronts were formed - in Transcaucasia and Crimea. The only significant Russian victory was the Battle of Sinop 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 the Allied troops in the Crimea forced the Russian troops to withdraw deep into the peninsula. Sevastopol became the only impregnable citadel. In the autumn of 1854, the brave defense of Sevastopol began. The mediocre command of the Russian army hindered rather than helped the defenders of the city. For 11 months, sailors led by Nakhimov P., Istomin V., Kornilov V. fought off enemy attacks. And only after it became inexpedient to hold the city, the defenders, leaving, blew up the weapons depots and burned everything that could burn, thereby frustrating the plans of the allied forces to take over the naval base.
Russian troops attempted to divert the attention of the allies from Sevastopol. But they all turned out to be unsuccessful. The clash near Inkerman, the offensive operation on the Evpatoria region, the battle on the Black River did not bring glory to the Russian army, but showed its backwardness, outdated weapons and inability to properly conduct military operations. All these actions have broughtRussia's defeat in the war. But it is worth noting that the allied forces also got it. The forces of England and France were exhausted by the end of 1855, and there was no point in transferring new forces to the Crimea.
Caucasian and Balkan fronts
The Crimean War of 1853-1856, which we tried to briefly describe, also covered the Caucasian front, the events on which developed somewhat differently. The situation there was more favorable for Russia. Attempts by Turkish troops to invade Transcaucasia were unsuccessful. And Russian troops were even able to advance deep into the Ottoman Empire and capture the Turkish fortresses of Bayazet in 1854 and Kare in 1855. The actions of the allies in the B altic and White Seas and in the Far East did not have significant strategic success. And rather, they depleted the military forces of both the allies and the Russian Empire. Therefore, the end of 1855 was marked by the virtual 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 ended with 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 demands of the allies to neutralize the Black Sea. The prohibition to justify naval bases and the fleet deprived Russia of all the achievements of previous wars with Turkey. In addition, Russia pledged not to build fortifications on the Alandislands and was forced to give control of the Danubian principalities into the hands of the allies. Bessarabia handed over to the Ottoman Empire.
In general, the results of the Crimean War of 1853-1856. were ambiguous. The conflict pushed the European world to the total rearmament of its armies. And this meant that the production of new weapons was being activated and the strategy and tactics of warfare were changing dramatically.
The Ottoman Empire, having spent millions of pounds on the Crimean War, led the country's budget to complete bankruptcy. Debts to England forced the Turkish sultan to agree to the freedom of religious worship and the equality of all, regardless of nationality. The UK dismissed the Aberdeen cabinet and formed a new one led by Palmerston, who canceled the sale of officer ranks.
The results of the Crimean War of 1853-1856 forced Russia to turn to reforms. Otherwise, it could slide into the abyss of social problems, which, in turn, would lead to a popular revolt, the result of which no one would undertake to predict. The experience of the war was used in the military reform.
The Crimean War (1853-1856), the defense of Sevastopol and other events of this conflict left a significant mark on history, literature and painting. Writers, poets and artists in their works tried to reflect all the heroism of the soldiers who defended the Sevastopol citadel, and the great significance of the war for the Russian Empire.
