The Crimean War,
Turning Point
in European Affairs.
Chapter 22, pages 877-879
The objectives for this presentation
include:
• How did Nationalism mean different things to
different groups in the 1800’s?
• Identify the different nations who wanted to
control the Balkan States and the Straits of
Constantinople.
• In what ways can Florence Nightingale be
deemed the mother of modern nursing?
• You will learn why Italy’s participation in the
Crimean War was significant for their
unification.
• How did the Crimean War come to such an
abrupt end?
Nationalism at this time could be
defined as a:
• A sense of community of common
institutions and traditions
• A common government
• Usually, but not always a common
language
• An awakening or latent pride in the past
combined with aspirations for a greater
future.
In 1848, Louis
Napoleon was elected
by a huge landslide.
He had traded on his
Napoleonic Legend,
and overcome the
tradition of having
Bourbon Kings on the
throne.
Napoleon caused an economic surge
when he had Paris rebuilt.
Even this did not stop discontent. He did not
liberalize the government enough.
Napoleon III was somewhat successful at
domestic policies. But his foreign policies spelled
doom for his regime.
Napoleon III wanted to free France from the
treaties/peace agreements of the Congress of
Vienna, where France had been contained by the
foreign powers.
Remember, at the Congress of Vienna,
the Balance of Power meant
restrictions on many countries’
ambitions, including France.
Let us now turn toward the fascinating
Crimean war, a step in “liberating”
France from its promises at the
Congress of Vienna.
The Crimea is a peninsula that juts
out into the Black Sea.
It was originally obtained by
Catherine the Great in 1783.
Russia wanted to exert influence at in the
Balkans, and possible take the Bosphurus
from the Turks.
France and England decided to join the
dispute to stop Russia’s ambitions.
Let’s review the steps of the war.
Step one: Russia makes demands on Turkey in
an attempt to enlarge influence.
Step two: Russia moves in on Walachia and
Moldavia—Austria Hungary moves to protect
these Balkan provinces.
Step 3: France & Britain join against Russia—
little Sardinia also joins to attempt to get France
to help with Italian unification.
Step 4: The British blockade the
Bosporus straits--restricting Russian
Trade.
Step 5: The French and English “land”
on the Crimean peninsula to push back
the Russians.
The Charge of the Light Brigade is a
part of Step 5.
Into the Valley of death rode the brave 600--
Cannon to the right, and cannon to the left…
Interesting Fact—the highest award for
bravery in the British Empire is the
Victoria Cross, made from a captured
Crimean War Cannon.
Step 6: Austria and Hungary move into
Walachia and Moldavia
During the Crimean War, Florence
Nightingale transforms modern nursing.
Statistics become very important
catalyst to changing conditions…
Nicolas I of Russia dies—his son Alexander II
immediately makes peace.
Total death toll Crimean War:
•
•
•
•
•
450,015 Russia
95,615 France (weakens Napoleon III)
45,400 Turkey
22,182 British
2, 194 Piedmont
The Crimean War was poorly
planned and poorly fought—a kind
of 19th century Vietnam.
The conditions of the Congress of
Vienna were now “blown up” and each
nation was acting for its own selfinterest…
Russia and Austria returned to their corners…both
faced problems at home…
• Russia had lost almost 500,000 men just
because it wanted to be a “big boy” and gain
influence in the Balkans and Turkish regions.
Many of the peasants, who lost sons, saw this
as another reason to hate the Romanov Tsars.
• Austria had to deal with simmering nationalism
among the Hungarians, Serbs, Croats, Czechs
and Slovaks. They, too, resented fighting for
“Austrian” interests.
This weakened the
influence of Austria
and
Russia…preparing a
way for both Italy
and Germany to
unite.
The objectives for this presentation
included:
• How did Nationalism mean different things to
different groups in the 1800’s?
• Identify the different nations who wanted to
control the Balkan States and the Straits of
Constantinople.
• In what ways can Florence Nightingale be
deemed the mother of modern nursing?
• You will learn why Italy’s participation in the
Crimean War was significant for their
unification.
• How did the Crimean War come to such an
abrupt end?