The Crimean War, Turning Point in European Affairs.

Chapter 22, pages 877-879

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 Russias ambitions.

Lets 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 MoldaviaAustria 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 Factthe 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 dieshis 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 foughta 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 cornersboth 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 Russiapreparing a way for both Italy and Germany to unite.