Crimean War:
The Crimean War, also known in Russia as the Eastern War, was fought between Russia on one side and an alliance of France, Britain, the Kingdom of Sardinia, and the Ottoman Empire. The war was over the territories of the declining Ottoman Empire. Most of the fighting and conflict occurred in the Crimean Peninsula, hence the war’s name, however the battles also extended to the western area of Turkey and the Baltic Sea region. In 1853, Russia demanded that the Ottoman Empire recognize Russia’s right to protect the Eastern Orthodox believers in Turkey. Turkey refused, and therefore Russia sent troops into Ottoman territory. However, Russia was also interested in the falling Ottoman Empire’s territories, which could have been another motive as to why they advanced so quickly. Great Britain and France declared war on Russia on March 28, 1854, as they feared the possibility of Russia’s power increasing and upsetting the balance of power in general. Russia fought well against Turkey and destroyed its fleet off the coast of Sinope. 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 only a year of constant battle, the Russian’s abandoned the fortress, blowing it up and sinking their own ships. Meanwhile, at Balaklava, British troops charged down a narrow valley that was surrounded by Russian guns on both sides. Nearly all of the British soldiers died. The name of their group was the Light Brigade, and is now well known due to Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem about them.
Treaty of Paris:
The Treaty of Paris settled the Crimean war, and it was signed on March 30, 1856. In it, Russia relinquished its claim as Christian protector in Turkey, the Black Sea was neutralized, and the balance of power was maintained. Because the Black Sea was neutralized, it closed the area to all warships, marking a severe set back on