Crimean war: Press, and admin reforms Flashcards
What was the impact of Press on the Crimean war?
Newspaper coverage of the war, aided by the electric telegraph ensured that the public was able to read about the reality of war immediately for the first time
- still too expensive for general population
Who was William Howard Russell?
His reports were hugely significant ( sharp, clear, vivid, with bits of humour)
- he paid credit to the bravery of the British troops
- asked awkward questions and wrote about all his problems
Who was Thomas Chenery?
The Times correspondent in Constantinople
- first person to report the dreadful conditions in the hospitals at Scutari
Who was Roger Fenton?
Entered Crimea in Feb 1855 as the first official war photographer ( sent in hope of photos counteracting anti0war reporting)
Most of his 350 photos were carefully posed pictures of men or landscape image ( did not take pictures of dead or injured)
- he provided a more humanising and immediate perspective on the conflict
Press attack on Raglan
Due to army’s plight in 1854, John Delane attacked Raglan and his staff for gross incompetence
- attacked the aristocratic and privileged leadership in general
- brought to light the horrors vividly which led to a bitter outcry
How did Raglan respond to the press attacks?
thought they were unworthy of a response
- was worried that reports would give Russian’s useful information about army plans
- British government did not impose press censorship
How did Palmerston become PM?
29th Jan 1855: Radical MP john Arthur Roebuck’s motion to set up a committe was passed ( in order to investigate conduct of war)
- Aberdeen resigned the following day
- Palmerston became PM
What was Palmerston’s leadership like between the years 1855-56?
Popular with public yet not very secure in parliament ( only survived due to his own political skills)
- caused Peelites in cabinet to resign with his refusal to veto (reject) appointment of a committee of inquiry into war
- replaced Newcastle with Lord Panmure as secretary of state ( sent General Sir James Simpson to report on Raglan’s staff)
Palmerston characteristics:
Britons viewed him as a highly visible foreign secretary who had never been shy o lecture autocratic regimes
- he embodied a wide spectrum of opinion inside and outside of the government circles ( pushed moderate reform at home and was progressively rhetoric abroad
What changes did Palmerston’s administration make to war effort?
Sanitary commission helped improve conditions at Scutari and in Crimea
Special transport department established to improve supply situation
Inefficient administrators sacked
Simplification of bureaucratic system: duties of colonial secretary was transferred to war office.
- Ordnance Board was abolished and responsibilities were shared between secretary of state for war and commander in chief
Due to greater press reports of military mismanagements, what demands were placed?
reforms of civil service, thus in 1855, Administrative Reform Association:
- contrasting aristocratic administrative bungling with triumphs of commerce
- urged business-like procedures to be applied to govt and admin
- claimed competitive exams would allow middle classes to take over running of state
1855, Administrative Reform Association: was it successful?
not particularly significant and not related to the Crimean war
How was the Crimean war financed?
Financing the war was not a problem ( Britain was at its economic peak,
War was relatively short and limited
- Taxes were doubled and additional revenue raised from increases in stamp duty and in duties
-Gladstone was forced to increase national debt by offering govt bonds
