Crimean War Flashcards
Why was William Russell Significant?
Newspapers provided a medium for people to express their views. Russell was sent to the Crimea with the first wave of allied forces. He witnessed the Battle of Alma and his reports became common through dispatches. By getting close to the fighting he was able to convey the horrors of war
How effective were Florence Nightingale’s actions during the Crimean War?
The proof of her overall effectiveness in the Crimea is presented through her cutting down the once spiking death rate. Her arrival saw drastic changes in these matters and her emphasis on cleanliness proved to be vital as her works in hospitals cut down the death rate by 66%.
What were the limits to Fenton’s photography?
Photos- calm- no sense of battle or danger.
No battle images- only recoding non combatant action.
Only see officers who could afford the photos… No lower ranks
Realistic?? No deaths, action, no suffering
The two pieces of Army reforms that took place during the 19th Century.
The McNeil- Tulloch report
The Cardewell reports
Four findings of the McNeil Tulloch report.
The majority of the casualties coming from the Crimea were a result of diseases, the poor health of the troops could be attributed to the lack of fresh food, the army was short of medicine and medical supplies and clothing replacements were slow to arrive.
Evidence that the army wasn’t ready for war in the Crimea.
The only wars that Britain had fought were against poorly armed opposition, uniforms and weapons had changed very little and their was uncertainty about how supply and transport systems would cope.
What were GB public’s expectation and reactions to the Crimea?
The army was expected to achieve a quick and effective victory over Russia. It quickly became clear that their victories were down to the bravery of the men. The Battle of Alma and Balaklava caused many discussions back home.
What was happening in Crimea in the mid 1850’s?
Russia had a naval fleet docked in the Crimea and Turkey owned the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits, which connected the med and the black sea. The Ottoman Empire were weak at the time and were referred to as the sick man of Europe. Russia saw this as an advantage.
What problems were being faced by Cardwell in the 19th Century?
Poor treatment of the army; harsh punishments of the men e.g. flogging and branding.
Recruitment process- Less dangerous jobs elsewhere.
Purchasing ranks and no appetite to change ways as many had stubborn and old attitudes.
What does the Charge of the Light Brigade tell us about the conduct of the war at this stage?
It tells us that the British army had poor leadership, so poor in fact that it was easy for orders to be miscommunicated. It also highlighted the big egos of the men in charge.
Evidence that the British were ready for the war in the Crimea.
Tactics and strategy were very similar to that used in the French wars, Britain and France had the edge due to the new French Minre rifle.
What problems were there with leadership going into the Crimean War?
Overall the leadership of the army was poor. There was a lack of professionalism, poor communication and co operation. Officers still brought their commissions, so the system was one of wealth over ability.
What was the significance of the McNeil Tulloch report?
significance; 1st time the government took control of the army affairs- political control of the army. The beginning of the army reform and where the commissariat undergoes change. It also gave an official status to the sufferings of the soldiers in the Crimea.
The Aftermath of the Battle of Alma.
After the Battle the British and French armies marched around Sevastopol and begun siege works ahead of an assault from the south. Making their base Balaklava, a village with a secure deep harbour, they deployed artillery to bombard Sevastopol.
Why was the Crimean War significant for our study in Warfare ?
The Crimean war was the first of a series of wars in the mid nineteenth century between the great powers of the world in which many features of modern warfare began to emerge.
