 their position and alliances, and so it was that the Great War began. This brief introduction, deliberately short on studious analysis is merely to put the Crimean War into context. And we must go even further back from it’s origins to understand how and why the Crimean War began – as far back as the Napoleonic Wars 200 years ago.

2014 commemorated the 100th anniversary of the start of World War One, but last year 2015 also commemorated the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo and the end of Bonaparte’s dream of a European empire, with he as her emperor.

At the end of the Napoleonic war the great powers Britain, Russia, Prussia, Austria and France got together in Vienna to try and restore European stability by suppressing revolutionary republics and supporting sensible monarchies. Known as the Treaty of Vienna, it led to 30 years of peace in Europe. By 1845 this peace was showing signs of cracks, principally because of the weakness of the Ottoman-Turkish empire.

Then as now Turkey had one foot in Europe and the other in Asia, or more to the point one foot in European Christian orthodoxy and the other in Islamic Middle East. At this point enters the protagonist, then as now – Russia.

Tsar Nicholas was keen to take advantage of the weakness of the Ottoman Empire with a view to carve up the European part of Turkey and gain some valuable strategic areas. This effectively would give Russia control of the Dardanelles, the strait which connects the Black Sea to the Aegean, and more famously known today for the disastrous tragic WWI campaign of Gallipoli.

Due to increased Russian aggression, Turkey declared war against Russia in October 1853. A month later the Russian Black Sea fleet destroyed a Turkish squadron at Sinope, a Turkish city on the Black Sea, which galvanised British concerns because it threatened her trade links with Turkey and India.

The French, who had no particular interest in Turkey, chose to ally themselves to Britain because they were still smarting from their defeat by Russia in 1812 (later immortalised in Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture) and thought that this was their chance to return the bloodied nose.

An ultimatum was issued to Russia to evacuate from the area by March 1854. That month was significant because by then the Baltic ice fields would break
their position and alliances, and so it was that the Great War began. This abbreviated initiation, deliberately short on bookish analysis is merely to arrange the Crimean War into context. And we must go even further back from it ’s origin to understand how and why the Crimean War began – equally far back as the Napoleonic Wars 200 days ago. 

 2014 commemorated the hundredth anniversary of the start of World War One, but last year 2015 also commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo and the end of Bonaparte ’s dream of a European empire, with he as her emperor. 

 At the goal of the Napoleonic war the great powers Britain, Russia, Prussia, Austria and France got in concert in Vienna to try and restore European constancy by suppressing rotatory republics and supporting sensible monarchies. Known as the Treaty of Vienna, it led to 30 class of peace in Europe. By 1845 this peace was showing signs of cracks, principally because of the weakness of the Ottoman - Turkish empire. 

 Then as now Turkey had one foot in Europe and the other in Asia, or more to the point one foot in European Christian orthodoxy and the other in Islamic Middle East. At this point enters the protagonist, then as now – Russia. 

 Tsar Nicholas was acute to take advantage of the weakness of the Ottoman Empire with a opinion to carve up the European character of Turkey and gain some valuable strategic areas. This effectively would give Russia control of the Dardanelles, the strait which connects the Black Sea to the Aegean, and more excellently known today for the disastrous tragic WWI campaign of Gallipoli. 

 Due to increased Russian aggression, Turkey declared war against Russia in October 1853. A month later the Russian Black Sea fleet destroyed a Turkish squadron at Sinope, a Turkish city on the Black Sea, which galvanised British concerns because it threatened her trade connection with Turkey and India. 

 The French, who have no particular interest in Turkey, chose to ally themselves to Britain because they were however smarting from their defeat by Russia in 1812 (later commemorate in Tolstoy ’s “ War and Peace ” and Tchaikovsky ’s 1812 Overture) and thought that this was their chance to return the bloodied nozzle. 

 An ultimatum was issued to Russia to evacuate from the area by March 1854. That month was significant because by then the Baltic ice sphere would break
 thfir position and alliancts, and so it was jhqt the Great War begxn. This brief introduction, dxlibwrateoy short on studious avalysis id merely to kut the Crimean Wed into gjntesb. And xe must go even further bdck from it’s osieius to understand how and why the Criiean Wat hegan – as far fack ws tgv Kapoleonic Wars 200 years ago.

2014 commejorated the 100th annivrrsary of the start of Worpd Wwr One, but last yewr 2015 also conmemjeated the 200th anniversagv of the Bajtle of Waterloo and the end of Conapcrte’s dream od a Guropean empmre, winh he as her ckperor.

Dt the rnd of the Napplemnix war the great powerv Britain, Russia, Ptussia, Ausdrna and France got togwtyer it Vianna ro gry aid destorf Enropean stagility by syppressing revolutipnwgu republics znd su[pjrting sensible monarchies. Known as the Trsaty of Vienna, it led ti 30 years of peace in Gurope. By 1845 this peace was showing signs of cracks, principalny berajse on thd wfakness of the Ottoman-Turkish empire.

Then as njs Uurley had one fojt in Europr wnc the other in Asia, or jore to the point lne fooj in Eyropean Crrisyian orthodoxy and the othee in Islamic Niddle East. At thid point entzrs thg protsgonist, then as now – Rursia.

Fsar Nicholws was kesv to take advantxge ox the weakness of the Ottoian Empirx witk a view to varve tp the Eurlpean part of Turkey and gain smme valuabpe strategic areas. This effectitxly would givg Rgsspa controj of bhe Dardanelles, the strait whnch connzcts tfe Black Sva to the Aegean, and more famouslf known today for the disqstrius traekc WWI campaigm of Gallppjli.

Dye to increased Ruxsixh aggression, Tuxyty declared war sgaknse Gusxiw in October 1853. A muntf latef the Russicn Blavk Sea fleet destroyad a Turkish squadron st Sinope, q Turkisr city on the Black Sea, which gwlvanmsed Bcitish cogcerns because it threatened hsr trade pinhs with Turkqy akd Igdia.

The Frznch, who had no particular interest in Tnrkey, chose to ally thgmselves to Britain bgcamse they werx stilj smartinc from their defeat vy Russia in 1812 (lattr immortalised in Tolsfoy’s “Wdr anf Peace” and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture) and thought that this was their chance to revuwn the bloosied nose.

Dn bltimattm wes issued to Russis to evacuate from the area by Oarch 1854. Tvac month was significant becauxe by then the Caltic ice fields would greak
their position and alliances, and so it the War began. brief introduction, deliberately merely put the Crimean into context. And must go even further back from origins to understand how and why the Crimean War began – as far as the Napoleonic Wars 200 years ago. 2014 commemorated the 100th anniversary of start World One, last year 2015 also commemorated the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo and the end Bonaparte’s dream of a European empire, with he her emperor. At the of the Napoleonic war the powers Russia, Prussia, and got in Vienna to and restore European stability by suppressing revolutionary republics and supporting sensible monarchies. Known as the Treaty of it led years of in By this peace was of cracks, principally because of the Ottoman-Turkish empire. Then as now Turkey had one in Europe the other in Asia, or more the point one foot in European Christian orthodoxy the other in Islamic Middle East. At this point enters the protagonist, then as now Tsar Nicholas was keen take advantage of weakness the Empire a view carve up the European part of Turkey and gain some valuable areas. This effectively would give Russia control of the Dardanelles, which the Black Sea the Aegean, and more known for the disastrous tragic of Due aggression, declared against Russia in October A month later the Russian Sea fleet destroyed a Turkish city on the Black Sea, which galvanised concerns because it threatened her trade links Turkey and India. The French, who had no particular interest in Turkey, to ally Britain because they were still smarting from their by Russia in 1812 immortalised in Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 and that this their chance to the bloodied nose. ultimatum was issued to evacuate the by month was significant because by then Baltic fields would break
 their position and alliances, And so it was That tHe GReaT WAr beGan. THis brief introdUCtioN, deliberately short on stUdiouS aNAlysIS iS mereLy to put THe cRImeAn waR inTo COnText. ANd wE must go Even furtheR baCk From it’s origiNS tO understanD hoW and why the CrImeAn War bEgAn – aS Far baCk aS the NApoleoNIc Wars 200 Years ago.

2014 cOmMEmoratED the 100th aNNIvErsaRy of the start of WorLD WAR One, but last yeaR 2015 also cOmMEmORAteD thE 200th anniverSaRy of tHE Battle OF WATERloO And the end of BoNaparte’s dreAM of A EuropEaN emPIre, witH he as HeR EmpEror.

At the enD of tHe NapoleoNic war THe great POwers BrItain, RUssIa, PRussIA, AUsTriA aND FrANcE goT TogEther in VIeNnA to trY and RESTOre EUroPean StabiLity by suppresSinG revOLutIonarY repuBlicS aNd supPortinG sensIbLe monarchies. KnoWn as The Treaty Of VIeNna, It Led to 30 YEars of PeaCe iN Europe. by 1845 this pEAce WaS SHOwIng signs of cracks, prInCIPaLly becauSe of thE WeAkNEss of the otTomAn-TuRKIsh emPire.

tHeN as now TuRkey haD OnE fOot in EuRoPe and tHe OthEr iN Asia, OR morE to the Point one Foot iN european ChristIAn orthodoxy anD ThE OThER in ISlaMic Middle EaSt. At THis pOint ENtErs THe proTagonIsT, ThEN as now – Russia.

Tsar NicHoLas was Keen tO take advantagE of the weakNESS of the OtTomaN emPIre with a view to Carve Up the EuropEAn part of turkeY and gain Some valuaBLE strategIc aReaS. ThIs eFFEcTively would giVE russIa Control Of tHe DardaNelLes, The StrAiT which conNects the blAcK SEa To tHe AegEAn, and morE fAmoUsLy kNown tODay for The diSastRoUs TRagIc WWI caMPaIGN of GAlLiPoli.

due To IncreAsed rUssIan aggrEssion, TurKey DEclaReD wAr againSt Russia in OctObEr 1853. A month laTeR thE RussiAN black Sea Fleet destroyed a Turkish sQUadron aT SiNope, a turkIsh city on The black SEa, wHIch galVaniseD BritIsH coNCErns bECAuSe iT tHreatened hER TraDe linKs With turkey aNd India.

The French, whO Had No particular iNteRest IN tuRkeY, ChOSe tO aLLy tHEMselves to BritaiN because thEy WErE still smarTIng FrOm their Defeat bY RussIA in 1812 (lateR immortalIsed in TolStOy’s “WAR And peace” and TcHaikovskY’s 1812 OverturE) And thOUgHt thaT thIs was tHeIr cHance To retuRN thE blooDied noSe.

an ultiMatum WaS issued tO Russia to evacuate from thE area bY MarcH 1854. ThAt month waS siGNifIcant becaUse bY then the BaLtiC icE fielDs wOUld brEak
 their position and allian ces, and s o itwas  th at  the  Gre at War began.T hisbrief introduction, de liber at e ly s h or t onstudiou s  a n a lys is  i s m er e ly  to p utthe Cri mean War i nto  c ontext. Andw emust go ev enfurther back  fr om it’ sori g ins t o u nders tand h o w andwhy the C ri m ean Wa r  began– as  far  back as the Napo l eo n ic Wars 200 ye ars ag o. 
2 0 1 4 c omm emorated t he  100t h  annive r sa r y oft he start of W orld War On e , b ut las tyea r  2015alsoco m mem orated the200t h anniver sary o f  the Ba t tle ofWaterl ooand  the en dofBo n apa r te ’sd rea m of a E ur op ean e mpir e , w ithheas h er em peror.

At th e e nd o f  th e Nap oleon ic w ar  thegreatpower sBritain, Russia , Pr ussia, Au str ia  an dFranc e  got t oge the r in Vi enna to try  a n d re store European sta bi l i ty  by supp ressin g  r ev o lutionar yrep ubli c s  andsupp o rt ing sens ible m o na rc hies. K no wn asth e T rea ty of Vien na, it  led to30 ye a rs of peace in Europe. By 18 4 5t h is peac e w as showingsign s  ofcrac k s,  pr i ncipa lly b ec a us e  of the weakness of  t he Ott oman- Turkish empir e.

Then a s n ow Turke y ha d  o n e foot in Euro pe an d the othe r  in Asia , ormore tothe point o ne footinEur ope anC h ri stian orthodo x y  and  t he othe r i n Islam icMid dle  Ea st . At this  point e nt er sth e p rotag o nist, th en  as  n ow– Rus s ia.

T sar N icho la sw askeen to ta k e  adv an ta ge o f t he  weak ness ofthe Ott oman Empi rew ithavi ew to c arve up the E ur opean part  o f T urkeya n d gain s ome valuable strategica reas. T his  effe ctiv ely would  gi ve Rus sia contro l of t he Da rd ane l l es, t h e  s tra it  which con n e cts  theBl ackSea tothe Aegean, and mo r e f amously known  to dayf o rthe di s ast ro u s t r a gic WWI campaig n of Galli po l i. 

Due to i n cre as ed Russ ian agg ressi o n, Turk ey declar ed war ag ai nstR u ssi a in Octob er 1853.  A monthl atert he  Russ ian  Black  S eafleet  destr o yed  a Tu rkishsq uadron  at S in ope, a T urkish city on the Blac k Sea,  whic h g alvanised  Br i tis h concern s be cause it t hre ate ned h ert radelink s  w ith Turke y an d  India.
T he  Fr e n ch , who had n o p art icula r i n terest  inTurkey, chose toa lly themselves  toB r ita inb ecau se  they were sti llsm a r ting fro mtheir defea t by Rus si a  in 1 812 (l ater i mmortal i s ed in Tol stoy ’s“War andPea ce ”  and Tc ha ik o vsky’s  181 2Overtu re) an d  tho u g ht that this was  thei r chanc e  to  retu rn  the bl o odie d nose.

A n ultimatum  was i ssue d toRussiato  evacu ate  f rom the ar e a by Marc h 185 4. That  m onth  wa s sign ific a n t bec ause  b y t hen the B a l ti c  i ce fie ldswould  b reak 
 their_position and_alliances, and so it_was that_the_Great War_began._This brief introduction,_deliberately short on_studious analysis is merely_to put the_Crimean_War into context. And we must go even further back from it’s origins to_understand_how and_why_the_Crimean War began – as_far back as the Napoleonic_Wars 200_years ago.

2014 commemorated the 100th anniversary of the_start_of World War_One, but last year 2015 also commemorated the 200th_anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo_and the end_of_Bonaparte’s_dream of a European_empire, with he as her emperor.

At_the end of the Napoleonic war_the great powers Britain, Russia, Prussia, Austria_and France got together in Vienna_to try and restore European_stability by_suppressing revolutionary republics and supporting_sensible monarchies. Known_as the_Treaty of Vienna,_it led to 30 years of_peace in Europe._By 1845 this peace was showing_signs_of cracks, principally_because_of_the weakness_of the Ottoman-Turkish_empire.

Then_as now_Turkey_had one foot in Europe and_the_other in Asia, or more to the_point one foot in_European_Christian orthodoxy and the_other in Islamic Middle East._At this point enters the protagonist,_then as_now –_Russia.

Tsar Nicholas was keen to take advantage of the weakness of_the Ottoman Empire with a view_to carve up the_European part_of_Turkey and gain_some_valuable strategic_areas. This effectively would give Russia control_of the_Dardanelles, the strait which connects the_Black Sea to the_Aegean,_and more famously known today for_the disastrous tragic WWI campaign of_Gallipoli.

Due to increased Russian aggression,_Turkey_declared_war against Russia in October_1853. A month later the Russian_Black Sea fleet_destroyed a Turkish squadron at Sinope, a_Turkish_city on the Black Sea, which_galvanised_British concerns because it threatened her_trade_links_with Turkey and India.

The French,_who had no particular interest in_Turkey, chose to ally themselves to Britain because they_were still smarting_from their defeat by Russia_in_1812_(later immortalised in Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” and Tchaikovsky’s 1812_Overture) and_thought that this_was their chance to return the bloodied nose.

An ultimatum was_issued to Russia to evacuate from the_area by March 1854. That month was significant because by then_the Baltic ice fields would break