The French Emperor's Responsibility In The Crimean War

The French Emperor was often blamed by historians for his share of responsibility in the Crimean War; after Hayes condemns Napoleon, Schmitt in turn criticizes Napoleon III in saying that “Napoleon […] had brought on a crisis which made war seem inevitable; he would now conjure away the dread vision, and consolidate his political position both at home and abroad. One cannot, however, avoid a suspicion that the French emperor was playing a deep game” . The writer continues, “[…] the policy of Napoleon, conciliatory enough in the diplomatic channel, but provocative in the direction most likely to rouse the Russian autocrat-" military honor "-made a peaceful solution difficult, perhaps even impossible”. France could be affected by Russian demands
Around March 1853, Russia had claimed guardianship over the Greek Christians of the Ottoman Empire, denouncing the Sultan “for failure to preserve peace at the Holy Places […]” . As some Ottoman leaders were in favor of France, the Sultan Abd al-Majid turned down Russia’s demands, making matters worse. In securing France’s privileges, he maintaining balance of power by preserving the Concert of Europe. Hayes (1958) states: “The Sultan gladly complied with France’s emperor’s request, for he well knew that the Tsar Nicholas had been describing him as the ‘sick man of Europe […]” . This statement somehow questions the position and involvement of every power involved in the dispute and pushes further the analysis in questioning the true nature of the existing relationships as well as futile causes of conflict between the leaders of