Depth 2: The Crimean War (Coverage) Flashcards
What new advancements affected the way the Crimean War was covered?
- Literacy levels rose as many in employment were offered basic education, Sunday schools taught reading, and poor schools were set up.
- By the 1850’s, photography had developed to the point that cameras could be taken to war zones, albeit with some complication. There could be no action shots.
- The creation of a steam train network meant news could be spread faster.
- The electric telegraph allowed news from the front lines to travel much faster.
Who was Roger Fenton?
He was NOT the official war photographer. That title belonged to Richard Nicklin, whose photographs were destroyed when the ship carrying them sank. Fenton was a commercial photographer.
He was encouraged in his photography as it was thought that his photos would counter any bad press.
What was the nature of Fenton’s photographs?
He was to take photos that ‘could sell.’ He took photos of officers because they came from wealthy backgrounds and would be more likely to purchase the photo prints.
His photos often showed lifeless people or scenery as the camera had an exposure time of seven seconds.
They didn’t depict injury or death because these themes would not sell well.
How were Fenton’s photographs used to deceive the public?
He was not present during the brutal winter of 1854, where many men suffered from the cold. Fenton was aware of the controversy surrounding this, so he photographed men in sheepskin coats, not disclosing that these pictures were taken in Spring or when these coats arrived.
How were Fenton’s photographs used to increase empathy amongst the British public?
One photo, ‘The Valley of the Shadow of Death’, depicts a landscape full of used shot. Fenton’s photos gave the viewer and subject a connection, and many started to question not just how the war was managed, but also why it was being fought.
Landscape photos showed how barren the land was, and pictures of men in front of tents or ramshackle huts showed the squalid living conditions.
Who was William Russel?
He was a war correspondent for The Times. He was sent to the Crimea with the first batch of troops and spent a lot of time at the front lines. He kept up such a steady stream of writing that The Times often had his articles as headliners.
What did Russel criticise in his dispatches?
- The medical situation. He often focused on treatment of the wounded, the horrors of battlefield surgery, and preparations for medical evacuations. He wrote articles on Nightingale and Scutari.
- The incompetency of the generals. He criticised Raglan for not pursuing the Russians after the Battle of the Alma, and he was so critical of generals that Raglan ordered his officers not to speak to him.
What did Russel sympathise with in his dispatches?
The plight of the common soldier. He wrote about their appalling conditions and soldiers were often all too willing to speak to him, as he was on their side.
What campaigns did The Times run in relation to the Crimean War?
The Sick and Wounded Fund raised thousands of pounds for casualties, a success that was, in part, due to sympathies raised by Russel’s reports.
The death of Stowe, another war correspondent, due to illness and mistreatment, led to scathing editorials in The Times.
They helped organise a fund for Mary Seacole when she went bankrupt in 1856.
Campaigned for an award for bravery and got support from the Queen. The Victoria Cross was instigated in 1856 and could be awarded to men of all ranks.
How did Russel’s journalism (and similar cases) affect the way that the press were handled in future wars?
War correspondents could go anywhere they pleased and talk to anyone too. This led to heightened awareness of shortcomings back at home, and caused government pandemonium as people demanded a scapegoat.
The PM’s replacement, Palmerston, was more effective at manipulating the press, being a skilled orator. Despite this, the Crimean War was the first example of the press unleashing its ability to sway public opinion.
