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Chapter 59 The Treaty of Coopenhagen
Chapter 59 The Treaty of Copenhagen
"Generation after generation, the noble swine of England have used the common men of Britannia as little more than mindless slaves by launching war after war across the seas for pointless conquests and colonial ventures. While our brave brothers have died gruesome deaths on the battlefield for the sake of the parasite that we call the monarchy, the nobles lounge in their mansions and castles, smoking cigars and drinking brandy while moving the British Army as mere pawns for their sick game of imperialist oppression. Serving as a man of the Royal Army taught me that the true righteous of Britannia are not the fat aristocrats who wave their birthright in the face of labor, but the brave few who put on a uniform and fight for the security and prosperity of our nation. One need to only look at the Crimean War, an war fought for the interests of barbaric Turks so that the fat whore Victoria could get rich off the resources of the middle east. Thousands of Britannians died on a bloody Russian peninsula several hundred miles away from home and for what? So that we could save a dying corpse that was the very bane of Christianity? Just like how tens of thousands of our men died for the Turk in the Great War, when they were killing Armenians by the droves?! The Only reason we lost the Crimean War anyways was because of the stupidity and arrogance of the noble officers who ordered the light brigade to charge into battle only rack up bodies and serve as target practice for the Russian. No more will our men die overseas for the sake of monarchy. Never again!"- Our Struggle: The Oppression of Fair Britannia by Oliver Mosley 1919
"While my father was a good man who raised me as best as he could and only wanted to do right for Russia, a great ruler he was not. Two wars we've gotten ourselves in the last decade with very little to show for it. While many consider Crimea to be a victory, it is only a matter of time before the consequences come to meet us fully and we are met with the widespread of revolutions in our empire. Nationalities who want their own self-rule, peasants that want bread and peace, or just greedy aristocrats who want to seize the Kremlin for themselves to protect their arcane rights. If Russia is to survive the next century then we will need to reform. I will see that the Romanov Dynasty gets it done."- Tsar Alexander II 1855
"So your telling me Stephen, that Crimea is just some Russian peninsula in the Black Sea that the Ruskis use for trade and the home of their Navy? Well why the hell are the British and Turks launching an invasion their if the war is supposed to be fought over Christians in the Danube, or whatever the hell the reason is? Seriously, Europeans are weird."- President Davy Crockett 1854
When the delegates began peace talks in the neutral country of Denmark on March 30th, 1855, the peace talks soon became dragged out into what could be called an intense diplomatic poker game. The reason it has been called that is due to the multiple bluffs and strategic plays by each diplomat in regards to the negotiations. While it may have appeared that Russia obtained the upper edge with the victories in Crimea and their virtual occupation of the Danube, their economy was on the verge of a depression with the cease of trade and many within the Winter Palace feared the possibility of a coup against the Tsar or the peasants and non-Russian nationalities revolting if the war dragged on. In addition Russia needed time to rebuild their Navy after its virtual destruction in the Black Sea, and to prepare for a possible invasion of Germany or Hungary if they decided for a ripe opportunity in expansion while Russia focused its attention in the middle east. For Britain it was a matter of securing its assets, limiting Russian gains, and looking towards the future in the next phase of the Great Game. What the British diplomats tried to convene towards Russia was that the Royal Navy was still in its ultimate state and that they could continue the trade blockade for years while possible German intervention may be on the horizon, with the continued fact that Silistria and Vidin had not fallen. While the homefront was a bit of a mess with the numerous peace protests and the potential for a second corn riots, it did not mean that the British Empire would succumb so low as to surrender in entirety to the Russians. They had already faced one deeply scarring humiliation when it came to Oregon, it would not happen with Russia of all nations. No matter which side got the better deal it was quite clear that the Ottomans would emerge the losers of this fight. Tens of thousands of Ottoman soldiers had died in the battle and they had lost virtually all naval presence in the Black Sea. Romania was forever beyond its grasp and the potential for other nationalities to rise up began. The only good part that the Ottomans got out of the peace at all was the fact that Anatolia had not been breached. Now Sultan Abulmecid needed to face the music and try and save as much of his empire at the moment so that they could rise back up in the future. With various political intrigues, backdoor deals, third party involvement, and ongoing domestic developments, it took a total of two months for the process to be done. At the end of it the Treaty of Copenhagen was signed on June 6th. All sides having been able to reach some form of compromise and peace being secured, for now.
The terms of the Treaty of Copenhagen are as follows:
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Divisions of Greater Romania after the Treaty of Copenhagen. Romania (Blue) Russia (Red) Hungary (Green) Ottomans (Orange)
Inside Russia there were numerous celebrations across the empire over the apparent glorious victory that they had managed to achieve against the might of the British Empire. While the casualties had been vast and many Russian soldiers would not be able to return home, the objectives had been achieved and Romania was now an quasi-independent state under Russian rule, a victory for Russia and the cause of Slavic freedom all over Europe. The first measure to deal with was the running of the now protectorate of Romania by the Russians. The position of Prince of Romania would be retained in the Romanov family when the title was passed on to Nicholas Nikolaevich, Grand Duke of Russia and second younger brother to the new Tsar. While this was seen as a slight to the the second oldest brother Konstantin, the truth was that Konstantin was needed within Russia so that he could help his liberal minded brother implement new reforms that the Tsar planned in the coming years, especially since the heir Alexander was starting to develop reactionary views. Romania over the years began to become slowly integrated into Russia though it was given a high amount of autonomy compared to Poland and was even able to conduct its own foreign affairs with supervision from St. Petersburg. The full reason for the prevention of a total annexation into Russia being the hopeful action that more territory could be taken from Hungary or the Ottomans in a future war, even though Copenhagen forbid it for the time at least. Romania was also necessary to act as an independent satellite so that in any future invasions or war with the Ottoman Empire, Romania could take the brunt of the fighting and Ukraine emerge unscathed. Over the next two decades Romania would begin to prosper as it was able to develop its cultural identity without restrictions from Istanbul and began a path of modernization similar to the process in Poland and the Baltic states. In the rest of the empire, focus was directed back to the domestic affairs as most of the empire was still agricultural and Russia needed to begin modernization or else they would fall behind the other powers economically, and face defeat in an even larger war. Tsar Alexander made it his top priority to begin social and political reforms within Russia so that a possible revolution could not occur and Russia finally leave the dark ages. These plans included the eventual emancipation of the Serfs, lessening of the nobles power, toleration and acculturation of other nationalities, and development of the Pan-Slavic ideology which would unite all Slavic minorities into one banner under the Russians for the sake of the Slavic race. The military was also looked at as while they had won numerous victories, they were more due to numerical superiority and pure chance then superior fighting. The entire Russian Army began to transition to modern artillery and rifles for their infantry, placing large orders to Texas for premium quality guns to be shipped to Russia so that the Imperial forces would have equal arms to those of Germany or Britain. While mass conscription did still occur, training programs were reformed so that the average peasant soldier could think for themselves tactically and be able to fight of high standards instead of just blindly following orders. Lastly, the Russian Navy was given a total transformation as sail was abandoned and the transition to steam began with the rebuilding of the Black, Baltic, and Pacific fleets. New trade deals were created with various nations in the Americas so that Russia would not be so reliant on European goods for import or the export of their raw materials. Finally, a new colonial department was created in St. Petersburg as a sub-department of the Foreign ministry so that all further expansion and creation of new spheres of influence could be planned for the long term in the Great Game and the coming opening of China. With the end of the Crimean War came the end of the old Imperial Era, it would remain to be seen if these changes would be of benefit by the time the Great War came in fullness.
Coronation of Tsar Alexander II
Inside Great Britain the mood after the Crimean War was one of melancholy and depression. Oh sure Great Britain had limited Russian expansion and had received some minor victories such as creation of demilitarized zones and the opening of the Russian market, but these terms however were not enough for the British people as they had received nothing that would directly impact their lives besides the return of bodybags in the place of various loved ones. New movements were sprouting all over Britain with anti-war and social reform movements being the chief among them. The British people saw how the continent had been prospering with the new liberal reforms that stressed the extension of democracy and the distribution of rights to the average man. Many pointed out how their former colonies, the United States, were doing just fine under a Republican government and were now in a state of prosperity (a quite ironic statement considering the Civil War coming in 5 years). Many Brits were also sick of getting constantly involved in European affairs as there was never any direct threat to the island since the time of Napoleon, with his nephew not even looking to be anywhere near as an expansionist. The British people wanted change from the series of horrible events that had plagued their nation for the last ten years, and they would not stop until they asking until their demands were met or they would be forced to enforce them. The biggest immediate change was felt when Lord Aberdeen was given a vote of no confidence as Prime Minister shortly after Copenhagen for his failure at the conduct of the war. In the subsequent Parliamentary elections, the newly formed Liberal Party had won a subsequent supermajority in Parliament, electing Viscount Palmerston as the new Prime Minister. The general ideology of the Liberal Party was one that most of the British population had been desiring since the 1846 Revolutions by calling for greater social reform, personal liberty, limiting the powers of the monarchy, and free trade economics that supported the growth of the British domestic economy and feed the general population with food imports from the Americas. The Liberals were a group that Victoria had despised for wanting to limit her power as a monarch, though there was little she could do against the new government as her popularity was at an alltime low and the calls for a transition into a Republic had not gone down. On the issue of foreign affairs, Lord Palmerston was noted as a firm believer of British Nationalism and the policy of splendid isolation when it came to the affairs of Europe. Before and during the Crimean War, Palmerston was a vocal opponent of the entire affair as he criticized British involvement as a pointless endevour that would only result in dead Brits with little gain, something he was later proven correct in. Palmerston made it his mission to shift UK foreign policy from heavy intervention in other nations, and instead focus on direct colonial expansion into states or regions that were too underdeveloped to offer resistance. With the end goal being the prosperity of Great Britain with the return of raw materials and a vast market upon which to sell British goods, a sort of Neo-mercantilism. Finally, the Palmerston government is most noteworthy for its extensive reforms in the British military. The Crimean War revealed the vast shortocomings of the British army due to its reliance on Napoleonic style tactics and the large discrepancies currently revealed in the logistics of all British oversea campaigns. The officer corps was given a vast overhaul with German advisors coming to Britain in order to train their counterparts on the fine styles and tactics of the Prussian model, with British high command transforming into a mirror of the Prussian Staff. The entire Quartermaster corps was given a vast overhaul with another model similar to Prussian organization so that supplies could be delivered quickly and all expeditionary forces be deployed in a rapid and aggressive manner. Finally in the point of officers themselves, a new breed of officers emerged that would be called the Colonial Colonels, these were men of the Royal Army who had spent vast times in the colonial campaigns of India or Africa and were given high positions in the army. Leading to a more unorthodox approach and innovation in tactics and strategy applied to global warfare. Unfortunately, the nobles would still maintain a high class of control in the army and only soldiers of the highest merit could advance. Overtime with the new success of the colonial ventures in Asia and Africa, continuation of further reform was dropped and the Army switched back to its highly aristocratic manner of rule. The only true changes being the tactics that these noblemen in uniform would use for future reference, becoming outdated by the outbreak of the Great War. Domestic reforms while significant in the short term, proved to be unchanging in the long term situation as most of the liberal reforms were aimed at pleasing the people through greater economic prosperity, not greater political freedoms or equal social advancement. Leading to what Oliver Mosley termed as, "The Empire's Shadow", over the island of Great Britain. Splendid Isolation mixed with global domination and economic growth, all of it for the advancement of Queen and Country over the people.
Liberal Rally in London (Left) The Royal Army, from defenders of country to masters of conquest (Right)
When talking of the war's effects on the Ottoman Empire, it is rather surprising to see that the Ottomans were the least to change even though the war was one that caused them to suffer the most. Romania was forever taken away from the empire, another humiliating loss to the Russians, more potential for greater unrest of the non-Turks. So why is it that the Ottomans of all people would be the least to change? To do that it is necessary to look into Ottoman society and general Islamic culture of the 19th century. Since the fall of Constantinople in 1454, the Ottoman Empire had always portrayed itself as the sword and shield of Islam, a leading figure in the Muslim world that would spread the ideals of Mohammad while defending the faith from the infidel Christians or the plotting Jews. At first this mindset helped the Ottomans contribute to the Golden Age of the 16th century where its advance into Europe was unchallenged and the Empire was the pinnacle of scientific advancement and economic prosperity in the Western world. When the Christian powers of Europe began to turn back the tide after Vienna in 1683, the Ottomans refused to drop this mindset of apparent superiority. By then the faith had taken a large amount of control in the Empire and the Islamic clerics held an immense say in society in the government as they believed the actions of the Ottomans were a reflection of Islam. When Europe started to produce new liberal ideas such as representative democracy, unalienable rights, and capitalism in the Age of Revolutions, the clerics of the Ottoman Empire rejected these for being Christian ideals. Strengthening the reactionary policies of the Sultans and causing Islam to have the appearance of a vastly conservative and traditionalist mindset to that of Western Europe. With this psyche that was deeply implemented into the minds of its citizens, it was no wonder to see that even the Russian Empire by comparison could be considered a more liberal state at the start of the Crimean War. For Russia had at least kept up with nominal military advances while the Ottomans clung to the glory days of the Hungarian conquests. The Crimean War served as an immense wakeup call to Sultan Abulmecid by showing him that the Empire was vastly underdeveloped to the rest of Europe, and that if nothing was done then the Ottomans would cease to exist in the next century. After Crimea, Abulmecid started a series of reforms that centralized the government in a manner similar to the reforms of Napoleon. Some religious freedoms and social reforms were given to the non-Turks and non-Muslims of the Empire, though they had rights they were still treated as second class-citizens. Perhaps the area that saw the most degree of reformation was the military with the Ottomans upgrading their arms and receiving training from advisors to the British Army. Though these attempts at reform did strengthen the empire somewhat and start the beginning of its modernization, most reforms were chosen to benefit the military while the progressive social reforms were too few and too slow in being put into law. In the meantime the Ottoman Empire was slowly being reduced to a puppet of Great Britain in the Great Game against Russia. So even if the Osman Sultans succeeded at modernization, they would do nothing but play second fiddle to the whims of London.
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Istanbul, an increasing relic of the past
In contemporary viewpoints, the Crimean War was viewed as a senseless conflict that accomplished much and only generally achieved the creation of a new state in the Balkans, nothing permanent having been done. Quite the opposite could said to be true in its entirety. The Crimean War was the last nail in the coffin of the Old Order that dominated the Post-Napoleonic Era, its end results giving away to the rise of the Second Age of Imperialism. Both Great Britain and the Russian Empire became mortal enemies that would fight for control over the destiny and territory of Eurasia. The Great Game signifying their relationship as one of careful chess moves against both nations with grand geopolitical games over the smallest strips of territory. Russia's foreign policy switched from being a reactionary protector of Conservatism in Eastern Europe to the role of leader of the Slavs and Overlord of Asia. In order to decapitate the Ottomans and meet the rising British menace, Russia would soon set its main foreign policy goals towards alignment with the one other great power that could stand up to London, France. Crimea changed much of British foreign policy and society for the next half century with the rise of splendid Isolation and the pursuit of Imperialism as the ticket to Britain's salvation. The push away from continental affairs would strengthen Britain's alliance with Germany, the United Kingdom acting as the ruler of the ocean and the supreme colonial empire while Germany remained the top nation in continental Europe. Though attempts were made at reform of British soceity, the social gap widened in greater bounds and revolution on the home island only being prevented by foreign success in the colonies and the rise of British manufacturing. All of it being factors that would result in the rise of Britannia. The Ottomans were now revealed as the Sick Man of Europe, with the question not being if the Ottomans will fall, but when. The Great Game in itself was only the beginning of the many Imperial moves taking place for the rest of the century such as the Rome Conference, the Opium Wars, or the subjugation of Southeast Asia. With the Serbs, Greeks, and now the Romanians showing that independnece was indeed possible, the multiple nationalites lying in the Ottoman Empire were no longer dormant and were starting to demand for independence, with Russia leading the charge. France and Italy later joining in the anti-Ottoman camp due to geopolitical and religous reasons respectively. Finally with the political means aside, it is important to remember the advancements in warfare that Crimea brought. While the American Civil War is generally seen as the template for modern warfare, Crimea was the war that would truly start the path of modernization. Railways and telegraphs were used for the first time in the respective fields of transportation and communication. Artillery and trench warfare were beginning to be used all across the battlefield. Steamships proved that they were generally superior to the usage of sail (though some countries would continue to use it like Spain in the Spanish-American War). Logistics proved to be the key to winning wars and battles fought of the field of war such as field hospitals were given greater notice. While Crimea may not have been of immediate importance with its emphasis on modern warfare being originated further in the Mexican War or the American Civil War, it began the Imperialist Age and showed the world the beginning of the horrors of modern war.
"Generation after generation, the noble swine of England have used the common men of Britannia as little more than mindless slaves by launching war after war across the seas for pointless conquests and colonial ventures. While our brave brothers have died gruesome deaths on the battlefield for the sake of the parasite that we call the monarchy, the nobles lounge in their mansions and castles, smoking cigars and drinking brandy while moving the British Army as mere pawns for their sick game of imperialist oppression. Serving as a man of the Royal Army taught me that the true righteous of Britannia are not the fat aristocrats who wave their birthright in the face of labor, but the brave few who put on a uniform and fight for the security and prosperity of our nation. One need to only look at the Crimean War, an war fought for the interests of barbaric Turks so that the fat whore Victoria could get rich off the resources of the middle east. Thousands of Britannians died on a bloody Russian peninsula several hundred miles away from home and for what? So that we could save a dying corpse that was the very bane of Christianity? Just like how tens of thousands of our men died for the Turk in the Great War, when they were killing Armenians by the droves?! The Only reason we lost the Crimean War anyways was because of the stupidity and arrogance of the noble officers who ordered the light brigade to charge into battle only rack up bodies and serve as target practice for the Russian. No more will our men die overseas for the sake of monarchy. Never again!"- Our Struggle: The Oppression of Fair Britannia by Oliver Mosley 1919
"While my father was a good man who raised me as best as he could and only wanted to do right for Russia, a great ruler he was not. Two wars we've gotten ourselves in the last decade with very little to show for it. While many consider Crimea to be a victory, it is only a matter of time before the consequences come to meet us fully and we are met with the widespread of revolutions in our empire. Nationalities who want their own self-rule, peasants that want bread and peace, or just greedy aristocrats who want to seize the Kremlin for themselves to protect their arcane rights. If Russia is to survive the next century then we will need to reform. I will see that the Romanov Dynasty gets it done."- Tsar Alexander II 1855
"So your telling me Stephen, that Crimea is just some Russian peninsula in the Black Sea that the Ruskis use for trade and the home of their Navy? Well why the hell are the British and Turks launching an invasion their if the war is supposed to be fought over Christians in the Danube, or whatever the hell the reason is? Seriously, Europeans are weird."- President Davy Crockett 1854
When the delegates began peace talks in the neutral country of Denmark on March 30th, 1855, the peace talks soon became dragged out into what could be called an intense diplomatic poker game. The reason it has been called that is due to the multiple bluffs and strategic plays by each diplomat in regards to the negotiations. While it may have appeared that Russia obtained the upper edge with the victories in Crimea and their virtual occupation of the Danube, their economy was on the verge of a depression with the cease of trade and many within the Winter Palace feared the possibility of a coup against the Tsar or the peasants and non-Russian nationalities revolting if the war dragged on. In addition Russia needed time to rebuild their Navy after its virtual destruction in the Black Sea, and to prepare for a possible invasion of Germany or Hungary if they decided for a ripe opportunity in expansion while Russia focused its attention in the middle east. For Britain it was a matter of securing its assets, limiting Russian gains, and looking towards the future in the next phase of the Great Game. What the British diplomats tried to convene towards Russia was that the Royal Navy was still in its ultimate state and that they could continue the trade blockade for years while possible German intervention may be on the horizon, with the continued fact that Silistria and Vidin had not fallen. While the homefront was a bit of a mess with the numerous peace protests and the potential for a second corn riots, it did not mean that the British Empire would succumb so low as to surrender in entirety to the Russians. They had already faced one deeply scarring humiliation when it came to Oregon, it would not happen with Russia of all nations. No matter which side got the better deal it was quite clear that the Ottomans would emerge the losers of this fight. Tens of thousands of Ottoman soldiers had died in the battle and they had lost virtually all naval presence in the Black Sea. Romania was forever beyond its grasp and the potential for other nationalities to rise up began. The only good part that the Ottomans got out of the peace at all was the fact that Anatolia had not been breached. Now Sultan Abulmecid needed to face the music and try and save as much of his empire at the moment so that they could rise back up in the future. With various political intrigues, backdoor deals, third party involvement, and ongoing domestic developments, it took a total of two months for the process to be done. At the end of it the Treaty of Copenhagen was signed on June 6th. All sides having been able to reach some form of compromise and peace being secured, for now.
The terms of the Treaty of Copenhagen are as follows:
- The Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia are to be united as the Principality of Romania and shall be transferred to Russia as a formal protectorate, but one that shall exist as a seperate state from the administration of the Russian Empire with their own self-rule. Russia is to give up all claims of territory south of the Danube, and Bessarabia shall be returned in its entirety to Russian rule.
- The Russian Empire shall give up its claim as Protector of the Orthodox Christians in the Ottoman Empire. The title Protector of Christians shall be instead transferred in its entirety to the Italian Federation under Pope Pius IX. The Orthodox Church shall maintain equal management of Christian sites in the Holy Land with the Catholic Church. Though they shall be under the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Constantinople.
- Russia shall be allowed to rebuild a fleet in the Baltic. Any ships in the Baltic Sea must be kept to a maximum of 20 ships, any further additions shall be immediate casus belli for a renewed war.
- British warships may have free entrance in Ottoman Ports and shall travel within the Black Sea in all areas with the exception of Russian territorial waters.
- British goods shall enter into Russian ports and cities free of tariff.
- Both the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the Ottoman Empire shall not pay monetary reparations to the Russian Empire.
- The Principality of Romania shall relinquish any claims to the Hungarian territory of Transylvania.
- The Alaskan/Canadian border shall be demilitarized.
- The Aland islands shall become demilitarized.
- All prisoners on both sides shall be transferred to their respective nations by July 6th, 1856. Failure to comply will result in monetary reparations each month until the men are returned home.
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Divisions of Greater Romania after the Treaty of Copenhagen. Romania (Blue) Russia (Red) Hungary (Green) Ottomans (Orange)
Inside Russia there were numerous celebrations across the empire over the apparent glorious victory that they had managed to achieve against the might of the British Empire. While the casualties had been vast and many Russian soldiers would not be able to return home, the objectives had been achieved and Romania was now an quasi-independent state under Russian rule, a victory for Russia and the cause of Slavic freedom all over Europe. The first measure to deal with was the running of the now protectorate of Romania by the Russians. The position of Prince of Romania would be retained in the Romanov family when the title was passed on to Nicholas Nikolaevich, Grand Duke of Russia and second younger brother to the new Tsar. While this was seen as a slight to the the second oldest brother Konstantin, the truth was that Konstantin was needed within Russia so that he could help his liberal minded brother implement new reforms that the Tsar planned in the coming years, especially since the heir Alexander was starting to develop reactionary views. Romania over the years began to become slowly integrated into Russia though it was given a high amount of autonomy compared to Poland and was even able to conduct its own foreign affairs with supervision from St. Petersburg. The full reason for the prevention of a total annexation into Russia being the hopeful action that more territory could be taken from Hungary or the Ottomans in a future war, even though Copenhagen forbid it for the time at least. Romania was also necessary to act as an independent satellite so that in any future invasions or war with the Ottoman Empire, Romania could take the brunt of the fighting and Ukraine emerge unscathed. Over the next two decades Romania would begin to prosper as it was able to develop its cultural identity without restrictions from Istanbul and began a path of modernization similar to the process in Poland and the Baltic states. In the rest of the empire, focus was directed back to the domestic affairs as most of the empire was still agricultural and Russia needed to begin modernization or else they would fall behind the other powers economically, and face defeat in an even larger war. Tsar Alexander made it his top priority to begin social and political reforms within Russia so that a possible revolution could not occur and Russia finally leave the dark ages. These plans included the eventual emancipation of the Serfs, lessening of the nobles power, toleration and acculturation of other nationalities, and development of the Pan-Slavic ideology which would unite all Slavic minorities into one banner under the Russians for the sake of the Slavic race. The military was also looked at as while they had won numerous victories, they were more due to numerical superiority and pure chance then superior fighting. The entire Russian Army began to transition to modern artillery and rifles for their infantry, placing large orders to Texas for premium quality guns to be shipped to Russia so that the Imperial forces would have equal arms to those of Germany or Britain. While mass conscription did still occur, training programs were reformed so that the average peasant soldier could think for themselves tactically and be able to fight of high standards instead of just blindly following orders. Lastly, the Russian Navy was given a total transformation as sail was abandoned and the transition to steam began with the rebuilding of the Black, Baltic, and Pacific fleets. New trade deals were created with various nations in the Americas so that Russia would not be so reliant on European goods for import or the export of their raw materials. Finally, a new colonial department was created in St. Petersburg as a sub-department of the Foreign ministry so that all further expansion and creation of new spheres of influence could be planned for the long term in the Great Game and the coming opening of China. With the end of the Crimean War came the end of the old Imperial Era, it would remain to be seen if these changes would be of benefit by the time the Great War came in fullness.
Coronation of Tsar Alexander II
Inside Great Britain the mood after the Crimean War was one of melancholy and depression. Oh sure Great Britain had limited Russian expansion and had received some minor victories such as creation of demilitarized zones and the opening of the Russian market, but these terms however were not enough for the British people as they had received nothing that would directly impact their lives besides the return of bodybags in the place of various loved ones. New movements were sprouting all over Britain with anti-war and social reform movements being the chief among them. The British people saw how the continent had been prospering with the new liberal reforms that stressed the extension of democracy and the distribution of rights to the average man. Many pointed out how their former colonies, the United States, were doing just fine under a Republican government and were now in a state of prosperity (a quite ironic statement considering the Civil War coming in 5 years). Many Brits were also sick of getting constantly involved in European affairs as there was never any direct threat to the island since the time of Napoleon, with his nephew not even looking to be anywhere near as an expansionist. The British people wanted change from the series of horrible events that had plagued their nation for the last ten years, and they would not stop until they asking until their demands were met or they would be forced to enforce them. The biggest immediate change was felt when Lord Aberdeen was given a vote of no confidence as Prime Minister shortly after Copenhagen for his failure at the conduct of the war. In the subsequent Parliamentary elections, the newly formed Liberal Party had won a subsequent supermajority in Parliament, electing Viscount Palmerston as the new Prime Minister. The general ideology of the Liberal Party was one that most of the British population had been desiring since the 1846 Revolutions by calling for greater social reform, personal liberty, limiting the powers of the monarchy, and free trade economics that supported the growth of the British domestic economy and feed the general population with food imports from the Americas. The Liberals were a group that Victoria had despised for wanting to limit her power as a monarch, though there was little she could do against the new government as her popularity was at an alltime low and the calls for a transition into a Republic had not gone down. On the issue of foreign affairs, Lord Palmerston was noted as a firm believer of British Nationalism and the policy of splendid isolation when it came to the affairs of Europe. Before and during the Crimean War, Palmerston was a vocal opponent of the entire affair as he criticized British involvement as a pointless endevour that would only result in dead Brits with little gain, something he was later proven correct in. Palmerston made it his mission to shift UK foreign policy from heavy intervention in other nations, and instead focus on direct colonial expansion into states or regions that were too underdeveloped to offer resistance. With the end goal being the prosperity of Great Britain with the return of raw materials and a vast market upon which to sell British goods, a sort of Neo-mercantilism. Finally, the Palmerston government is most noteworthy for its extensive reforms in the British military. The Crimean War revealed the vast shortocomings of the British army due to its reliance on Napoleonic style tactics and the large discrepancies currently revealed in the logistics of all British oversea campaigns. The officer corps was given a vast overhaul with German advisors coming to Britain in order to train their counterparts on the fine styles and tactics of the Prussian model, with British high command transforming into a mirror of the Prussian Staff. The entire Quartermaster corps was given a vast overhaul with another model similar to Prussian organization so that supplies could be delivered quickly and all expeditionary forces be deployed in a rapid and aggressive manner. Finally in the point of officers themselves, a new breed of officers emerged that would be called the Colonial Colonels, these were men of the Royal Army who had spent vast times in the colonial campaigns of India or Africa and were given high positions in the army. Leading to a more unorthodox approach and innovation in tactics and strategy applied to global warfare. Unfortunately, the nobles would still maintain a high class of control in the army and only soldiers of the highest merit could advance. Overtime with the new success of the colonial ventures in Asia and Africa, continuation of further reform was dropped and the Army switched back to its highly aristocratic manner of rule. The only true changes being the tactics that these noblemen in uniform would use for future reference, becoming outdated by the outbreak of the Great War. Domestic reforms while significant in the short term, proved to be unchanging in the long term situation as most of the liberal reforms were aimed at pleasing the people through greater economic prosperity, not greater political freedoms or equal social advancement. Leading to what Oliver Mosley termed as, "The Empire's Shadow", over the island of Great Britain. Splendid Isolation mixed with global domination and economic growth, all of it for the advancement of Queen and Country over the people.
Liberal Rally in London (Left) The Royal Army, from defenders of country to masters of conquest (Right)
When talking of the war's effects on the Ottoman Empire, it is rather surprising to see that the Ottomans were the least to change even though the war was one that caused them to suffer the most. Romania was forever taken away from the empire, another humiliating loss to the Russians, more potential for greater unrest of the non-Turks. So why is it that the Ottomans of all people would be the least to change? To do that it is necessary to look into Ottoman society and general Islamic culture of the 19th century. Since the fall of Constantinople in 1454, the Ottoman Empire had always portrayed itself as the sword and shield of Islam, a leading figure in the Muslim world that would spread the ideals of Mohammad while defending the faith from the infidel Christians or the plotting Jews. At first this mindset helped the Ottomans contribute to the Golden Age of the 16th century where its advance into Europe was unchallenged and the Empire was the pinnacle of scientific advancement and economic prosperity in the Western world. When the Christian powers of Europe began to turn back the tide after Vienna in 1683, the Ottomans refused to drop this mindset of apparent superiority. By then the faith had taken a large amount of control in the Empire and the Islamic clerics held an immense say in society in the government as they believed the actions of the Ottomans were a reflection of Islam. When Europe started to produce new liberal ideas such as representative democracy, unalienable rights, and capitalism in the Age of Revolutions, the clerics of the Ottoman Empire rejected these for being Christian ideals. Strengthening the reactionary policies of the Sultans and causing Islam to have the appearance of a vastly conservative and traditionalist mindset to that of Western Europe. With this psyche that was deeply implemented into the minds of its citizens, it was no wonder to see that even the Russian Empire by comparison could be considered a more liberal state at the start of the Crimean War. For Russia had at least kept up with nominal military advances while the Ottomans clung to the glory days of the Hungarian conquests. The Crimean War served as an immense wakeup call to Sultan Abulmecid by showing him that the Empire was vastly underdeveloped to the rest of Europe, and that if nothing was done then the Ottomans would cease to exist in the next century. After Crimea, Abulmecid started a series of reforms that centralized the government in a manner similar to the reforms of Napoleon. Some religious freedoms and social reforms were given to the non-Turks and non-Muslims of the Empire, though they had rights they were still treated as second class-citizens. Perhaps the area that saw the most degree of reformation was the military with the Ottomans upgrading their arms and receiving training from advisors to the British Army. Though these attempts at reform did strengthen the empire somewhat and start the beginning of its modernization, most reforms were chosen to benefit the military while the progressive social reforms were too few and too slow in being put into law. In the meantime the Ottoman Empire was slowly being reduced to a puppet of Great Britain in the Great Game against Russia. So even if the Osman Sultans succeeded at modernization, they would do nothing but play second fiddle to the whims of London.
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Istanbul, an increasing relic of the past
In contemporary viewpoints, the Crimean War was viewed as a senseless conflict that accomplished much and only generally achieved the creation of a new state in the Balkans, nothing permanent having been done. Quite the opposite could said to be true in its entirety. The Crimean War was the last nail in the coffin of the Old Order that dominated the Post-Napoleonic Era, its end results giving away to the rise of the Second Age of Imperialism. Both Great Britain and the Russian Empire became mortal enemies that would fight for control over the destiny and territory of Eurasia. The Great Game signifying their relationship as one of careful chess moves against both nations with grand geopolitical games over the smallest strips of territory. Russia's foreign policy switched from being a reactionary protector of Conservatism in Eastern Europe to the role of leader of the Slavs and Overlord of Asia. In order to decapitate the Ottomans and meet the rising British menace, Russia would soon set its main foreign policy goals towards alignment with the one other great power that could stand up to London, France. Crimea changed much of British foreign policy and society for the next half century with the rise of splendid Isolation and the pursuit of Imperialism as the ticket to Britain's salvation. The push away from continental affairs would strengthen Britain's alliance with Germany, the United Kingdom acting as the ruler of the ocean and the supreme colonial empire while Germany remained the top nation in continental Europe. Though attempts were made at reform of British soceity, the social gap widened in greater bounds and revolution on the home island only being prevented by foreign success in the colonies and the rise of British manufacturing. All of it being factors that would result in the rise of Britannia. The Ottomans were now revealed as the Sick Man of Europe, with the question not being if the Ottomans will fall, but when. The Great Game in itself was only the beginning of the many Imperial moves taking place for the rest of the century such as the Rome Conference, the Opium Wars, or the subjugation of Southeast Asia. With the Serbs, Greeks, and now the Romanians showing that independnece was indeed possible, the multiple nationalites lying in the Ottoman Empire were no longer dormant and were starting to demand for independence, with Russia leading the charge. France and Italy later joining in the anti-Ottoman camp due to geopolitical and religous reasons respectively. Finally with the political means aside, it is important to remember the advancements in warfare that Crimea brought. While the American Civil War is generally seen as the template for modern warfare, Crimea was the war that would truly start the path of modernization. Railways and telegraphs were used for the first time in the respective fields of transportation and communication. Artillery and trench warfare were beginning to be used all across the battlefield. Steamships proved that they were generally superior to the usage of sail (though some countries would continue to use it like Spain in the Spanish-American War). Logistics proved to be the key to winning wars and battles fought of the field of war such as field hospitals were given greater notice. While Crimea may not have been of immediate importance with its emphasis on modern warfare being originated further in the Mexican War or the American Civil War, it began the Imperialist Age and showed the world the beginning of the horrors of modern war.
- Kaiser Chris
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