The causes of the Crimean War.
The causes of the Crimean War.
The causes of the Crimean War.
The Crimean War is an important chapter in European history. After the Treaty of Vienna in 1815, Europe did not witness any major war. But the Crimean War ended the 40-year peace period in Europe. Almost all the major powers of Europe participated in the Crimean War. At first glance, the reasons for the Crimean War were very trivial. The conflict between the Greek and Latin clergy over who would have the right to the holy places in Jerusalem eventually gave rise to a major war. However, it is historically proven that the Crimean War had several political issues at its root.
1. Dispute over the Grotto Church: -
The Turkish Sultan, by a treaty of 1740, gave the Catholic Church the responsibility of maintaining the Grotto Church and other holy places in Jerusalem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Catholic France was appointed the guardian of this responsibility. But after the French Revolution, when France became powerless, Russia seized the rights to the Grotto Church from the Turkish Sultan. But then, when Napoleon III ascended the throne of France, he strongly claimed France's previous rights to the Grotto Church.
2. Napoleon III's purpose: -
Emperor Napoleon III had some special purposes behind claiming France's previous rights to the Grotto Church. An important factor in Napoleon III's accession to the throne was the support of Catholics. Therefore, Napoleon III claimed France's previous rights to the Turkish Sultan in order to gain the support of Catholics and other influential classes. In addition, the opportunity to oppose Russia through this incident was also attractive to Napoleon III.
3. Support of Catholic states for Napoleon III's claim: -
Napoleon III's claim to the Grotto Church encouraged Catholic states. Austria, Spain, Sardinia, Portugal, Belgium and other Catholic countries supported Napoleon III's claim. As a result, Napoleon III's claim became stronger and he kept looking for an opportunity to wage war against Russia.
4. Role of the Turkish Sultan: -
The Turkish Sultan had already granted France the right to maintain the Grotto Church. But after the French Revolution, Russia took advantage of France's weakness and seized that right. But when Napoleon III strongly demanded that France regain its previous rights, the Turkish Sultan granted that right to France and granted some rights to the Latin priests.
5. Russian claims and Tsar Nicholas's intentions: -
The Russian Tsar Nicholas was very angry when the Turkish Sultan accepted all the French claims regarding the Grotto Church. He continued to put pressure on the Sultan of Turkey to abolish the rights of France. In fact, Tsar Nicholas's real intention was to establish Russian dominance in the areas under the Sultan of Turkey. So when the Sultan of Turkey refused to accept Russia's demands, Tsar Nicholas occupied Moldavia and Wallachia in Turkey. As a result, the possibility of war between Russia and Turkey arose.
6. Role of England: -
In the meantime, Tsar Nicholas made a proposal to England regarding Turkey. In this proposal, it was said that England and France would jointly occupy Turkey and that Turkey would divide among themselves when the victory was complete. But England was particularly worried about Russian aggression in the Near East. Therefore, England rejected Tsar Nicholas' proposal. Because, England believed that Turkey, although currently known as the sick man of Europe, could regain its former glory under the right circumstances. Therefore, Türkiye could become particularly helpful in controlling Russia in the Near East.
7. Turkey's compromise proposal: -
Political pressure on Turkey was increasing over the rights to the Grotto church. On the one hand, France was adamant about its demands and on the other hand, Russia was diplomatically distracting Turkey. In this situation, the Sultan of Turkey sent a compromise proposal to Russia. But since there was no mention in this compromise proposal that the rights to the Grotto church would directly come into the hands of Russia, Russia rejected this proposal and claimed rights over all Christian subjects in all the regions under the Turkey Sultan. As a result, the situation became more complicated.
8. Austria's role: -
Although Austria was not directly involved in the Crimean War and the political context preceding the war, they adopted a policy of "hostile neutrality" against Russia. Because, the strengthening of Russia in Eastern Europe meant pushing Austria's dominance into uncertainty. Therefore, Austria actually supported France in this war. Behind this was Cavour's serious political foresight. Cavour wanted to gain the support of England and France in his goal of establishing united Italy.
9. Russian invasion and Vienna Note:-
When all of Russia's demands were rejected, Russia invaded Turkey and occupied the provinces of Moldavia and Wallachia. This incident created a sensation in European politics. England, France, Austria, and Prussia jointly started an attempt to establish peace. They sent a proposal called the "Vienna Note" to Tsar Nicholas. But the Tsar and the British Ambassador Stanford argued over whether the Christian people of Turkey would be protected by Russia or Turkey, and Russia refused to accept all peace proposals.
10. Declaration of war by Turkey:-
When Russia rejected the peace proposal, England, France, Piedmont-Sardinia joined Turkey's side and Turkey declared war on Russia. While Prussia was neutral, Austria adopted a policy of neutrality against Russia.
Shortly after the war began, Tsar Nicholas died. With his death, the peace process began, and the Crimean War ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1856.
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