Historical Fiction

The Crimean war was fought in 1853-56 between Imperial Russia and an alliance of France, the UK, the Kingdom of Sardinia, and the Ottoman Empire. The root cause of the war can be traced back to conflicts over which European nation would be declared the "sovereign authority" over the Holy Land held by the Ottomans, including the privilege of holding the keys to the Church of the Nativity (which were previously held by the Greek Orthodox Church). A series of treaties, intrigue, and threats of violence gave this honor back and forth between the Russian Orthodox Church and the France and the Catholic Church, with France/Catholicism ultimately coming out on top. However, the forceful and devious "diplomacy" of the French caused and escalation of tensions that ultimately resulted in the Crimean War breaking out.

The Crimean War, so called because it took place on the Crimean Peninsula, is often considered to the first modern war, as it introduced a number of "technical changes which affected the future course of warfare." While this war had a strong naval element to it, the vicious fighting on land troops can hardly be discounted. Several important pitched battles took place along the Crimean River, especially between the Russians and the Ottomans. In fact, these battles are the unfortunate origin of the expression "bleeding heart" (as in a person who claims to care deeply about an issue, but only rarely or ineffectually acts on it). As battles raged back and forth across the river, Russian soldiers would often be ordered to bayonet Ottoman casualties in the chest to ensure they were dead. The Ottomans' English allies were incensed by this act and strognly criticized Imperial Russia, although for all their damning words there was very little actually done to address the concern. English protestors began to be derisively called "bleeding heart" Englishmen, representing their connection to the Ottoman allies.

The war ended, ultimately, in a victory (...of sorts) for the French and their allies. The Russian fleet had been heavily daamged, as had many of their supply lines and storehouses. In addition, Russia and the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire both had to sign an agreement that they would not establish any naval or military arsenal on the Black Sea coast. This would prove especially difficult for Russia, because it greatly diminished the naval threat Russia posed to the Turks. However, the Ottoman Empire was recognized by the Great Powers, who agreed to respect the independence and territorial integrity of the Empire.

While the Crimean War is known largely for the incompetant way it was operated, it brought several new developments to the field of warfare. The Crimean war is the first real use of railroads and telegraph for tactical purposes. It also pioneered the use of trenching and blind artillery fire. After the deplorable treatment of wounded soldiers was reported by news correspondents, it prompted women like Forence Nightingale and mary Seacole to get involved, and the basis for modern nursing practices was established.