William Russell and Roger Fenton

Question 1

How had literacy rates changed across the 1800s?

Answer 1

• Before 1800s, reading was a minority skill
• Thanks to church Sunday schools, charity schools for poor etc and by 1850, over half of Britain’s population could read and write

Question 2

How had newspaper reportage changed across 1800s and why?

Answer 2

• Before 18th century, news trickled home slowly and sporadically
• By 19th century, newspaper reports appeared more speedily but were usually based on outdated eyewitness accounts etc
• Because of the railway mania of 1840s, which gave Britain the world’s first steam rail network connecting major population centres
• Also due to electric telegraphs

Question 3

When had photography become complex enough that it could be used in battle zones, however how was this limited?

Answer 3

• By 1850s
• No action shots, as each shot had to be held for several secs (eg motionaless people/landscapes) due to primitive camera equipment

Question 4

What kind of photographer was Roger Fenton and why did he go to the Crimea?

Answer 4

• Commercial photographer
• Encouraged by Prince of Albert and Duke of Newcastle, as they believed his photos would counter negative newspaper publicity

Question 5

What brief was Fenton given when going to the Crimea, why and as a result, who was usually the subject of his photos?

Answer 5

• Take photos that would sell
• His publisher believed main market would be servicemen and their families who would buy it as souvenirs
• Chiefly officers were often the subject

Question 6

Because the photos were for commercial use, what did they exclude?

Answer 6

Subject matters like injury and death

Question 7

Between what period was Fenton in the Crimea and how is this a limiting factor of his photos?

Answer 7

• Mar 1855 to Jun 1855
• Wasn’t present for any of major battles nor did he see the immediate aftereffects eg worst winter of 1855-56

Question 8

What was the impact of Fenton’s photography on the public? (2)

Answer 8

• His exhibitions showed the stark realism of war, which had an impact on popular perception
• People began to question how the war was being managed and what it was being fought for

Question 9

Who was William Russell, who was he sent to the Crimea by and who with?

Answer 9

• A senior correspondent at The Times
• Russell was sent w/ first wave of allied forces

Question 10

What battle did Russell witness and what did he specifically report about the war?

Answer 10

• Battle of the Alma
• Conveyed horrors he saw: treatment of wounded, brutality of battlefield surgery etc
• Highlighted performance of generals eg Raglan’s decision to avoid pursuit of Russians away from Sebastopol

Question 11

During what events was Russell present in the Crimea and when did he leave?

Answer 11

• Siege of Sebastopol and Battle of Balaklava, Alma and Inkerman
• Dec 1855

Question 12

How did Russell’s reports help raise money for funding campaigns?

Answer 12

• The Times’ Sick and Wounded Fund (for casualties) raised thousands –> reports stirred public consciousness
• Fund organised to help Mary Seacole who had returned from Crimea in debt
• Jan 1856 –> Victoria Cross instigated, as Russell wanted an award for men and officers alike as recognition of bravery

Question 13

What was the impact of the press on politics?

Answer 13

• The press enlightened the public to the atrocities in the Crimea, which meant they began to question management of the war
• Jan 1855 –> Motion calling for committee of enquiry into war was passed by huge majority in House of Commons
• PM Lord Aberdeen took this as a ‘vote of no confidence’ and consequently resigned

Question 14

Who was Aberdeen’s replacement and what were his strengths? (4)

Answer 14

• Palmerston
• Experienced
• Effective foreign minister
• Better at manipulating press
• Confident orator