The Crimean War causes and consequences

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  • The Crimean War, 1853 - 56
    • Causes
      • Long-term causes
        • Russia wanted warm water ports
        • Britain was the most powerful country with the largest Empire- this was threatened by Russia and India
          • If Ottoman Empire fell so would britain-  easy route to India
            • Russian Empire expanding hugely and wanted to more under aggressive Tsar Nicholas
              • Mediterranean dominated by France- if Ottoman Empire collapsed and Russia took over France would lose this
            • "Sick man of Europe" Ottoman Empire was weak as was the Sultan
      • Short-term causes
        • Britain and France wanted keys to Holy City
          • Sultan gave into pressure and gave them
            • Tsar sends troops after Sultan rejected compromise
          • Menshikov  went to Constantinople for the keys to the city but with cover of 'protecting Christian subjects" Turks were surpressing revolt in Montenegro and Russia demanded they leave but they didn't
            • Russia threatened to send troops to Maldavia and Walachia
              • Britain and France intervene by sending fleet to Dardanelles to show support
                • October 1853 Turkey declares war on Russia
                  • April 1854 having declared war, Britain and France's troops arrive in Varna
    • Impact
      • Social
        • Reforms in education and the Church
          • However limited link with the Crimean War
        • Between 650,000 and 750,000 Russians died
          • Mainly died disease
        • Led to emancipationof the serfs
          • however may have happened regardless
            • Nicholas I considered emancipation1825
          • This allowed for greater entrepreneurialism in agriculture, the movement of some rural labour to industry and social reforms without the nobility and tsar losing their authority
        • Expansion of the railways
          • Increased stability
          • 1861-1878: 20,000km of track built
      • Political
        • Emancipationresulted in a reduced political role for nobles
          • Nobility saw their land holdings reduced
        • Zemstva created
          • However had little long term influence
          • Members of local government now needed to be elected
            • Dilution of autocracy
            • However property qualifications were attached to voting rights
            • The management of local affairs was left with local police constables appointed by the Interior Ministry
      • Economic
        • Russia spent 3 years of income on war 1854-55
        • Population 2x, could not meet demand
          • No desire to trade, rent up
            • Hard to sell without modern practices debts
              • Prevented movement to factories
      • Militaristic
        • Reasons for reform
          • Harsh discipline
          • Low morale
          • Poor accommodation
            • Disease
          • Peasant soldiers
            • Peasants had les of an obligation to serve as conscripts in the army
              • The Tsar was able to change how the army was recruited, trained and organised
          • Ill-equipped
        • Training modernised
        • Army reduced to 15 years
        • Rigorous instruction provided for officers
        • Created a profession army in line with Western rivals
          • Reliable to maintain civil and international order
          • Demonstrate during the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78)

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