The Crimean War (1853-56) between Russia, Turkey, Britain, France and the Kingdom of Sardinia was a diplomatically preventable conflict for influence over an unstable Near and Middle East. It could have broken out in any decade between Napoleon and Wilhelm II; equally, it need never have occurred. In this masterly study, based on massive archival research, David Goldfrank argues that the European diplomatic roots of the war stretch far beyond the `Eastern Question' itself, and shows how the domestic concerns of the participants contributed to the outbreak of hostilities.
Author(s): David M. Goldfrank
Series: Origins Of Modern Wars
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2016
Language: English
Pages: 358
City: London
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
List of tables
List of maps
Editor's Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction
The Problem: I - a sick man in a sick world
The Problem: II - reasons why?
Part One: The Setting
1. Western Questions - The Home Fronts
Europe's hegemony
Ways and means of production
Commerce and its ambitions
Finance and its limits
Governance: the western part of the West
Governance: the eastern part of the West
2. Western Questions - The Projection of Power
Formalities
The terrestrial balance
The maritime imbalance
The double standard of imperialism
The European system
3. The Eastern Question
Foundations
The Great Power breakthrough against Turkey (1767-1821)
Russia's further ascent (1821-33)
England's leap forward (1833-41)
The wider context: the Anglo-Russian 'Great Game' (to 1847)
Part Two: The Sparks
4. Counter-revolution on the March (1848-50)
The contradictions of 1848
Great Power dilemmas and urges
Rescuing the Ottoman and Habsburg realms
A verting a war of German unification
The refugee crisis: dress rehearsal for 1853?
5. Holy Places, Profane Litigation (May 1850-March 1852)
The tense aftermath of the refugee crisis
Rival challenges to the status quo
The aborted mixed commission
The ulema's deft compromise and the sultan's ambiguous pledge
From sleight of hand to blatant fraud
6. The Return to Armed Diplomacy (April-November 1852)
Serious complications
French naval persuasion
Mounting uncertainties
A new 'Greek Project'?
The law's delay
7. Nativity (December 1852)
Montenegro's provocation: the first shots
Napoleon 'III' enthroned
The new Ottoman ruling and the Tsar's blank cheque
Towards a fateful decision
Mobilization
Part Three: The Rupture
8. Preparations for Diplomatie Disaster (January-February 1853)
Turkey's strong move and London's strong hand
The Tsar's hare-brained schemes
Vienna's gamble: Count Leiningen's mission
French positioning and other matters
British admonitions, Russian blinders
9. Mission Impossible: I- Menshikov vs the Chargés (March 1853)
Fatal instructions
Foolish intimidation
Napoleon's reaction - Rose's sweet victory
Menshikov's sound advice
10. Mission Impossible: II - Menshikov vs the Great Ambassador (April-May 1853)
The 'Real Jockey' takes charge
The 'Pig' without a 'String'
The first ultimatum
The return of Reshid Pasha
The new team in action
The final exchange: Stratford's real victory
Part Four: The Twilight Zone
11. Giant Steps (May-June 1853)
The logic of the situation
Taking stock
Escalations: Russia
Escalations: Turkey
Escalations: Britain
Sitting pretty: Napoleon
12. Floating Projeets (June-July 1853)
Imperatives for peace and war
London: the English 'Convention'
Paris: the Drouyn 'Note'
Vienna: the Bourqueney 'Expedient'
St Petersburg and Constantinople: the second ultimatum
The embryo of the peace treaty
13. Sour Notes (July-August 1853)
The occupation of the Principalities and Europe's conservatives
The Porte's reaction: the unforeseen 'Ultimatum'
The Cabinet's tentative solution: the Vienna project
Strategies in conflict
The Turks dig in
14. Cutting Loose (August-September 1853)
Turkey: masterful modifications
Europe: anxious anticipations
Russia: resolute rejection
Britain: violent interpretations
Observations on the rise and fall of the Vienna Note
Part Five: The Passage to Arms
15. The Outbreak of the Ninth Russo-Turkish War (September-October 1853)
Olmütz: the Tsar feigns retreat
Constantinople: the Turks declare
London: the Cabinet resolves
The fighting begins
16. Getting Down to Business (October-December 1853)
Russia and Britain: planning the inevitable
Britain and Franee: roping in Austria
Russia and Turkey: the guns of Sinope
Stratford vindicated: Napoleon strikes again
The Turks in tow and the die cast
17. Calculated Countdown (December 1853-April 1854)
Strategic planning
Blunt messages
Contingent neutrals
A tale of three emperors
From rupture to summons
Enabling allianees
Part Six: Conclusions and Consequences
18. The Origins of the Crimean War
Personal responsibilities: I - the emperors
Personal responsibilities: II - the Englishmen
Less personal forces
Ideas
Atavism and medievalism
19. The Strange Sequel
The illusions of war
The logic of peace ... or ... another war averted
Nationalism and imperialism triumphant
Repercussions and legacies
The irony of 'Sickness'
Bibliography
Maps
Index
