How did the crimean war destroy the concert of europe?

The Crimean War: The Downfall of the Concert of Europe

The Concert of Europe was a system of balance and cooperation among European nations that emerged after the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars. It aimed to establish stability, promote mutual understanding, and prevent major conflicts. However, the Crimean War, fought between 1853 and 1856, marked a significant turning point in European history, eroding the Concert’s fabric and paving the way for future conflicts.

Causes of the Crimean War

The Crimean War was sparked by conflicting interests and rivalries among European powers, particularly Great Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire, and Russia. The war began after Russia, seeking to extend its influence in the Ottoman Empire, occupied the port city of Sevastopol in Crimea. Britain, France, and the Ottoman Empire responded by forming the Allies, leading to a protracted conflict.

How the Crimean War Destroyed the Concert of Europe

Several factors contributed to the decay of the Concert of Europe during the Crimean War:

1. Russia’s Isolation

• Russia’s rejection of the Treaty of Paris (1852), which stipulated that the Ottoman Empire was a sovereign state and Russia’s influence should not extend beyond the strait of Bosphorus.
• Russification of Poland and the Baltic states, disregarding the Treaty of Vienna‘s guarantees of Polish sovereignty and autonomy.

Russia’s actions led to the diplomatic isolation of the House of Romanov, severely damaging the Concert’s consensus and trust.

2. British and French Squabbles

• Rivalry between Great Britain and France over diplomatic influence and trade in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.
• Mutual distrust and competition over naval power and strategic port access.

The animosity between Britain and France limited their ability to coordinate diplomatic efforts and respond effectively to the crisis.

3. Ottoman Decline and Fragmentation

• Ottoman Empire’s weakening due to administrative inefficiencies, economic strain, and nationalist movements, making it vulnerable to internal conflicts and external manipulation.
• Nationalist tensions within the Ottoman Empire, particularly in the regions of Balkans and Anatolia, fueled regional conflicts and further weakened the empire.

The Ottoman’s decline and fragmentation made the region more susceptible to conflicts and power struggles.

4. Rise of the Balkan Nationalities

• Growing nationalism among the Balkan population, particularly in Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece, seeking independence from the Ottoman Empire.
• Formation of the National Union of the Principalities (Moldavia and Wallachia)**, prefiguring the unification of the Romanian people under a single state.

Balkan nationalism fueled political instability and regional conflicts, challenging the Concert’s delicate balance.

5. International Law and Treaties

• Uncertainty surrounding the Montenegrin-Turkish War (1853-1854) and Russia’s expansionistic territorial ambitions.
• Conflicts over the Holy places in Jerusalem and Syria, leading to the British and French bombardment** of the Ottoman fort in Beirut.

The erosion of international law and the abuse of treaties further weakened the Concert’s authority.

Consequences of the Crimean War

The destruction of the Concert of Europe had far-reaching consequences, shaping European and world politics in the late 19th and early 20th centuries:

• Formation of the Triple Entente (France, Great Britain, and Russia), which would eventually become Allied Powers in World War I.
• Rise of Balkan nationalism, contributing to the Balkan Wars (1912-1913) and the Ottoman Empire’s eventual collapse.
• Revolving doors of diplomacy**, making international relations more unstable, as nations sought to create alliances and counter-balance the power of other states.

In conclusion, the Crimean War was the catalyst for the destruction of the Concert of Europe, a system that had held the continent together for almost a century. The complex web of rivalries, nationalisms, and colonial ambitions that led to the war ultimately unraveled the Concert’s delicate balance and paved the way for new conflicts and power struggles that would shape the course of European and world history in the decades to come.

Table: Major International Conferences and Treaties during the Crimean War

Timeline of the Crimean War (1853-1856)

• August 1853: Tsar Nicholas I of Russia orders the occupation of Sebastopol, a strategic Crimean port city.
• October 1853: Britain and France conclude the Treaty of Olviopol with Russia, establishing their neutrality in the conflict.
• November 1853: The Ottoman Empire declares war on Russia, and the Allied Powers (Britain and France) respond by siding with the Ottoman Empire.
• September 1854: The First Battle of Balaclava takes place, resulting in a British retreat and the loss of supply ships.
• January 1855: Lord Raglan, British General, orders the Battle of the Alma, defeating the Russian forces and paving the way for the subsequent battles.
• May 1855: France and Britain sign the Protocol of London, strengthening their alliance and limiting Austria’s involvement in the war.
• September 1855: The British and French forces defeat Russia at the Battle of Inkerman.
• March 1856: The Treaty of Paris marks the end of the war, with Russia’s defeats and the recognition of Ottoman sovereignty.

Sources and References

• [British Foreign Office Archives,] The Crimean War and the Concert of Europe, edited by F.K. Prochaska
• [Oxford Handbook of the History of European Diplomacy], chapter 14: "The Concert of Europe and the Crimean War"
• [The Cambridge History of Russia], volume 9: "The Age of Imperialism, 1700-1917," chapter 12: "The Crimean War"

Please note that this is a general overview, and more in-depth analysis might be required for specific details and nuances.