The Ottoman Empire was weaker after loss of territory to Russia. The Sultan was relying on foreign aid from the rest of Europe. Russia realised that the Ottoman Empire was attractive and vulnerable. They wanted to gain control over the Straits in order to have easier access to the Mediterranean. Britain did not want Russia to have control over the Straits. The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire knew this and played the two powers against each other.
The change of important politicians in Europe also contributed greatly to the build-up of the Crimean War. This was because of the 1948 revolutions. It meant that there were many new men in office in most European nations. Napoleon III became Emperor of France. He wanted glory and had great ambitions. The French wanted expansion to uphold the name ‘Second Empire’ so Napoleon was looking for achievements. There was also instability in Britain as the state of British politics was poor at this time. In the 1840s the Prime Minister gave Czar Nicholas I of Russia the impression that Britain would not go to war over Turkish territory.
The relationship between Czar Nicholas and Napoleon was hostile for several reasons. Napoleon I had invaded Russia in 1812 which made France unpopular in Russia. The Czar saw Napoleon as a usurper and not a legitimate ruler and likened him to the Liberal Nationalists in 1848 that caused trouble in Russia. When Napoleon III got the throne the Czar sent him a telegramme addressed ‘Monsieur mon ami’ instead of the polite ‘Monsieur mon frere’ which was seen as a direct insult to Napoleon.
SHORT TERM CAUSES
There was conflict over the Holy Land which was part of the Muslim Ottoman Empire but was also the home of Judaism and Christianity. The Holy Places were originally controlled by the Roman Catholic Church but as the Eastern Orthodox Church grew there were disputes between Catholic monks (who were supported by France) and Catholic monks (who were supported by Russia) over who should control the area. The Czar of Russia refused to accept Turkish attempts at a compromise and sent a mission to Constantinople led by Menshikov. The Czar wanted occupation of the Dardanelles.
The Sultan of Russia rejected Menshikov’s demands, supported by Britain and France and on the 8th of June 1853 the British Mediterranean fleet at Malta was ordered to protect the Dardanelles against Russia. Russia announced that they were going to defend the orthodox religion. After Russia ignored an ultimatum to leave Turkish land Turkey declared war on 23 October 1953. At first the Turkish army seemed strong but they were surprised in Sinope by Russian fleets, which resulted in a loss of 4000 Turkish soldiers. In January 1954 British and French fleets arrived in the black Sea and Britain and France declared war on Russia almost simultaneously in March.
OUTCOME
Russia fared well against its weaker neighbour to the south, destroying the Turkish fleet off the coast of Sinope, a port city in north-central Asia Minor. However, in September 1854, the British and French laid siege to Sevastopol, Russia's heavily fortified chief naval base in the Black Sea, lying on the Crimean peninsula. After just under one year of constant battle, the Russian abandoned the fortress, blowing up their fortifications and sinking their own ships. Meanwhile, at nearby Balaklava, British troops charged down a narrow valley that was flanked by Russian guns on both sides. Nearly every British soldier fell dead in what came to be called the Valley of Death.
Russia's new tsar, Alexander II, sued for peace in 1856. In the resulting Peace of Paris, Russia relinquished its claim as Christian protector in Turkey, the Black Sea was neutralized, and the balance of power was maintained.