THE IMPACT OF WAR & REVOLUTION
Table of Contents
The Crimean War 1853-56.................................................................................................................2
31.01.2023....................................................................................................................................................2
Russo-Turkish War 1877-8.................................................................................................................3
31.01.2023....................................................................................................................................................3
Russo-Japanese War 1904-5..............................................................................................................4
31.01.2023....................................................................................................................................................4
WWI 1914-8......................................................................................................................................5
31.01.2023....................................................................................................................................................5
1917 Revolution & Civil War 1918-22................................................................................................6
31.01.2023....................................................................................................................................................6
WWII 1939-45...................................................................................................................................7
31.01.2023....................................................................................................................................................7
Cold War 1947-91.............................................................................................................................8
31.01.2023....................................................................................................................................................8
1
, THE IMPACT OF WAR & REVOLUTION
THE CRIMEAN WAR 1853-56
31.01.2023
Causes In mid 19th C, there was a dispute between Russia & France over Orthodox
Christian & Catholic rights & duties in the Holy Lands, part of the Ottoman
Empire.
Russia had previously persuaded the sultan to allow special privileges to be
granted to Orthodox Christians, but France challenged this arrangement &
claimed to be the sole protectors of Christians in the Holy Lands.
Tsar Nicholas I demanded confirmation of Russia's superior rights in the Holy
Land, but the Turks refused.
Jul 53, Nicholas sent troops into Moldavia & Wallachia, so Turkey, France, &
GB declared war.
Key details Sep 54 - GB & France invaded Crimea. Russia lost 6,000 troops in the Battle of
Alma b/c they used outdated weaponry.
Oct 54 - Russian forces regrouped at the port of Sevastopol, resulting in a long
siege.
Feb 55 - Nicholas I died of pneumonia & was succeeded by Alexander II
Sep 55 - Russia suffered 2000-3000 casualties a day from heavy artillery fire
& were eventually forced to surrender Sevastopol. The strategic imp of the
port made it a major setback for the Russians.
Mar 56 - Austria renewed threats to join the war & Russia eventually agreed to
peace talks based on the original 'Four Points' plan @ the Treaty of Paris.
Social impact Pursue westernisation
o The war revealed that Russia was v underdeveloped compared to
other European powers, esp in transport & communications.
o Abolition of serfdom (1861) – it was seen as the root of this
stagnation.
Also an attempt @ reforms ‘from above’ to counter any
attempt of reforms ‘from below’.
The emancipation of the serfs reduced the political role of the nobility at the
local level. The formation of Zemstvas (1864) filled the gap w an elected
body.
BUT
Zemstvas were dominated by nobility b/c there was a property qualification
was attached to voting
When the Zemvsta tried to do anything the Tsar didn’t like, the Tsar used the
army to repress them.
International rep undermined.
Political impact Treaty of Paris (1856) - Russia was prohibited from maintaining a fleet in the
Black Sea and had to remove fortifications along the coastline – weakened
Russia’s position in the world.
League of 3 Emperors (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia) in 1872 – didn’t
work
Discontent against the Tsar b/c Russia lost the war – may have contributed to
the 1866 attempted assassination.
Formation of Zemstvas increased ppl’s liberties & political power.
Economic impact International rep undermined, meant countries didn’t trade w Russia as much.
Military & industrial reforms – Russia was v far behind
o Growth of railways from 1,100km to 22,000km
o Service reduced from 25 to 15yrs, then 6 yrs, plus 9 yrs in reserve
o Officer training was modernised
2
Table of Contents
The Crimean War 1853-56.................................................................................................................2
31.01.2023....................................................................................................................................................2
Russo-Turkish War 1877-8.................................................................................................................3
31.01.2023....................................................................................................................................................3
Russo-Japanese War 1904-5..............................................................................................................4
31.01.2023....................................................................................................................................................4
WWI 1914-8......................................................................................................................................5
31.01.2023....................................................................................................................................................5
1917 Revolution & Civil War 1918-22................................................................................................6
31.01.2023....................................................................................................................................................6
WWII 1939-45...................................................................................................................................7
31.01.2023....................................................................................................................................................7
Cold War 1947-91.............................................................................................................................8
31.01.2023....................................................................................................................................................8
1
, THE IMPACT OF WAR & REVOLUTION
THE CRIMEAN WAR 1853-56
31.01.2023
Causes In mid 19th C, there was a dispute between Russia & France over Orthodox
Christian & Catholic rights & duties in the Holy Lands, part of the Ottoman
Empire.
Russia had previously persuaded the sultan to allow special privileges to be
granted to Orthodox Christians, but France challenged this arrangement &
claimed to be the sole protectors of Christians in the Holy Lands.
Tsar Nicholas I demanded confirmation of Russia's superior rights in the Holy
Land, but the Turks refused.
Jul 53, Nicholas sent troops into Moldavia & Wallachia, so Turkey, France, &
GB declared war.
Key details Sep 54 - GB & France invaded Crimea. Russia lost 6,000 troops in the Battle of
Alma b/c they used outdated weaponry.
Oct 54 - Russian forces regrouped at the port of Sevastopol, resulting in a long
siege.
Feb 55 - Nicholas I died of pneumonia & was succeeded by Alexander II
Sep 55 - Russia suffered 2000-3000 casualties a day from heavy artillery fire
& were eventually forced to surrender Sevastopol. The strategic imp of the
port made it a major setback for the Russians.
Mar 56 - Austria renewed threats to join the war & Russia eventually agreed to
peace talks based on the original 'Four Points' plan @ the Treaty of Paris.
Social impact Pursue westernisation
o The war revealed that Russia was v underdeveloped compared to
other European powers, esp in transport & communications.
o Abolition of serfdom (1861) – it was seen as the root of this
stagnation.
Also an attempt @ reforms ‘from above’ to counter any
attempt of reforms ‘from below’.
The emancipation of the serfs reduced the political role of the nobility at the
local level. The formation of Zemstvas (1864) filled the gap w an elected
body.
BUT
Zemstvas were dominated by nobility b/c there was a property qualification
was attached to voting
When the Zemvsta tried to do anything the Tsar didn’t like, the Tsar used the
army to repress them.
International rep undermined.
Political impact Treaty of Paris (1856) - Russia was prohibited from maintaining a fleet in the
Black Sea and had to remove fortifications along the coastline – weakened
Russia’s position in the world.
League of 3 Emperors (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia) in 1872 – didn’t
work
Discontent against the Tsar b/c Russia lost the war – may have contributed to
the 1866 attempted assassination.
Formation of Zemstvas increased ppl’s liberties & political power.
Economic impact International rep undermined, meant countries didn’t trade w Russia as much.
Military & industrial reforms – Russia was v far behind
o Growth of railways from 1,100km to 22,000km
o Service reduced from 25 to 15yrs, then 6 yrs, plus 9 yrs in reserve
o Officer training was modernised
2
