Depth Topic 2: Crimean War Flashcards
What were the primary causes for British involvement in the Crimean War?
Britain declare war in March 1854 against the Russian Empire due to their incursion into the Mediterranean Sea which directly threatened trade interests as this was Britain’s route to India. After expanding into the Ottoman Empire in an aggressive manner in October 1853, the British and French discussed extensively and attempted to use diplomacy to talk down the Russians due to the French colonies being situated in Northern Africa and bordering the Mediterranean.
How had land warfare weaponry evolved since the French Wars?
The telegram had been invented since the French Wars; however, weaponry had hardly changed. The only change was that rifled muskets were added to standard issue rifles, which were only in Wellington’s Greenjacket 95th Regiment during the French Wars due to their roles as sharpshooters and the increased accuracy and range that the Baker rifle provided.
How was the Army supplied, and why might supply have been more of a challenge in the Crimean War compared to the earlier French Wars?
Whilst the Royal Navy had naval supremacy after the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, the Crimean War was far more challenging from a logistical standpoint. It took supplies a minimum of six weeks to arrive from Britain with good conditions, with weather playing an instrumental part in travelling, coupled with the 4000 nautical miles from the island nation to the Crimea. Supplies were not necessarily hard to come by; however, the time scale when transporting goods and men became crucial during the Crimean War. Transporting the horses for cavalry and transportation of guns was also a challenging undertaking , taking days torecover from the week-long journey in a sling due to the risk of horses breaking their legsbecause of choppy waters.
Discuss the issues with Britain’s preparations for the war, considering logistics and choice of location for war
Britain’s lack of preparation for the Crimean War was evident in many ways, starting with invading Russian oil directly on such short notice. The Russian Empire was rapidly and aggressively expanding, meaning it was becoming much larger and more powerful, making it harder to invade. Logistics proved incredibly challenging, with the lack of infrastructure in the Crimea meaning that the nearest hospital was a week’s boat ride away in Scutari.
Discuss the situation in Crimea: what issues did Britain face logistically?
Why do you think Britain established their hospital at Scutari and what consequences did this have?
Explain the difficulties faced by the Allies in breaching the walls of Sevastopol
What challenges were faced at Alma?
Discuss the potential opportunity missed after the Battle of the Alma
Why were the 93rd Highlanders so important?
What were the reasons for so many deaths in the Battle of Inkerman?
Who was responsible for the calamity that was the Charge of the Light Brigade and explain why
Assess the challenges of supply faced by the British during the Crimean War, and who was to blame for these failures?
Compare the British and Russian armies
Why was French morale higher than that of the British?
Explain the relationship between the British and the French during the war
What did the Duke of Cambridge describe as ‘criminal’ during the war?
Could any of the British inadequacies have been avoided, and explain why
Explain the early life of Lord Raglan
Explain the battles fought by Lord Raglan
Explain the leadership style of Lord Raglan
Explain Lord Raglan’s tactics in battle
Explain the impact and legacy of Lord Raglan
Discuss William Howard Russell’s background and its importance
Why can Russell’s reporting be considered as highly accurate?
What was the reaction of the ‘establishment’ to Russell’s dispatches (Raglan and the monarchy)?
