Question 6

Did the Crimean War have greater repercussions for Western Europe than Eastern Europe?

You need to look at direct immediate, and indirect and long term results. Also the influence of the war on domestic affairs of countries involved as well as international relations. Paris Congress, strategic/territorial ramifications.

Paragraph One

Congress of Paris: terms of and European solution imposed on Ottomans
Great Britain wanted to weaken Russia
France wanted to be lenient towards Russia
Austria wanted to enhance her hold on the Principalities

Paragraph Two

Terms affecting Russia and Balkans:

Neutralisation of Black Sea most important clause
But Great Britain and France could enter Black Sea if Russia attacked Turkey
So Russian coastline vulnerable

Paragraph Three

Serbian rights guaranteed
Rumania independent
Danube navigation free from Russian influence
Growth of Balkan nationalism
Russia and Austria denied additional influence in Balkans so conditions right for creation of new independent states from the crumbling Ottoman Empire

Paragraph Four

Collapse of Ottoman Empire averted
Attempts at reform (but too slow and incomplete):

a) economic reforms

b) religious equality

c) abolition of bribery and tax-farming

Paragraph Five

Wider repercussions:

Russia became a revisionist power
End of period of solidarity of governments and maintenance of status quo
Final blow to Holy Alliance
Russia now looked to central Asia for expansion and adopted policy of support for the Slavs
War led directly to reforms of Alexander II

Paragraph Six

Effect on Western European diplomacy:

Austria isolated; Russia alienated
Balance of Metternich era destroyed
Successes of Bismarck and Cavour aided by weakening of Habsburg Empire

Paragraph Seven

Conclusion:

The war was an important influence in both Eastern and Western Europe
Impact on West probably greater – indirectly encouraged unification of Italy and Germany
Important effects for Russia and Balkans (give details)

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