When one usually thinks of the Crimean War, one probably immediately thinks of Florence Nightingale, for this was the period that she best exemplified. Nevertheless, there is far more to this serious international crisis that merits consideration. The second most important factor is that it brought to the fore serious Russophobia -- not only from the other Big powers but Britain in particular. In short, this war is not a war to be sneezed at -- it's roots still live to this day in the Balkans.

But, that aside, Norman Rich admonishes that really serious students of international affairs/relations ought to consider the Crimean War as one of the most -- if not the most -- serious crisis in nineteenth century diplomacy. He continues on his chapter on the Eastern Question that the Crimean War is one of the last crises that will have serious adverse consequences for the preservation of peace. Well, he intimates as such.

In any event, the Crimean War is highly significant and merits serious scrutiny, perhaps because of the fact that it involved all the great powers of the Concert. Ironically, the same people who had so desperately tried to use the concert system to preserve peace were the very same people who brought such disrepute to a laudable system of government whose efficacity could, I suppose, be compared to the United Nations Security Council today.

This inevitably begs the question WHY, OH WHY, OH WHY did the system break down? Why were the British so Russophobic? Why did Turkey act as agent provocateur for the French, why did France's Napoleon III not exercise restraint and come to a peaceful resolution over who had access to the Holy Places? Why did Austria effectively stab Russia -- who had helped Austria in 1848 -- in the back by practically siding, yes siding, with the so-called Allied Powers against it's previous ally, Russia? Implicit in all these questions is a surprise that comes out of realizing that human nature is SO unpredictable. So, is it therefore any wonder why all the above happened, why the Great Powers were unwilling to exercise restraint, see sense, practise Dr.Palo's particular THREE R's.

In short, the Crimean War raises more questions than provides answers as to why the system broke down. It is a very human tale of bribery, aggression and duplicity by Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire -- Turkey more like, and Austria which, incidentally, became something short of a negligible power that was simply part of the Big Five. As one of the historians that I consulted -- Wood, I believe -- observed, Austria, after the Crimean War, was invaded by the French (c.f. Unification of Italy) and once again invaded by Prussia in 1866 -- the Seven Weeks War. Her stab in the back indeed had far-reaching consequences. Some historians may contend that Austria was thereafter snubbed upon, even bullied, by two of its former allies in the concert system. Also, Austria played a role in precipitating the First World War. Could one therefore surmise that she was marked by misfortune since 1856 -- for good?

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