The Crimean War began as a conflict between Russia and the Ottoman Empire over the Russian claim to protect Orthodox Christians in the Ottoman lands and rivalry over the Holy Places in Palestine. Britain and France entered on the Ottoman side in 1854, fearing Russian expansion, and were joined by Sardinia. Most of the fighting centred on the long siege of Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula, and the war saw famous episodes such as the charge of the Light Brigade. Disease killed more soldiers than combat did, and reports led Florence Nightingale to reform military nursing. The Treaty of Paris of 1856 neutralised the Black Sea, and Russia's defeat prompted Tsar Alexander II's reforms.
Before and after
- 8 July 1853Commodore Perry's black ships arrive in Japan
- 18 July 1853Birth of Hendrik Lorentz
- 2 September 1853Birth of Wilhelm Ostwald
- 21 September 1853Birth of Heike Kamerlingh Onnes
- from October 1853 to February 1856Crimean War
- 1854Founding of Dadiani Palaces Historical and Architectural Museum
- from 17 February 1854 to 31 May 1902Orange Free State
- 15 March 1854Birth of Emil von Behring
- 29 April 1854Birth of Henri Poincaré
More in Wars, politics & history
- 16 December 1773Boston Tea Party
- from 1821 to 1829Greek War of Independence
- from 24 April 1846 to 2 February 1848Mexican-American War
- from 18 August 1866 to 10 May 1871Unification of Germany
- from 24 April 1877 to 3 March 1878Tenth Russo-Turkish War
- 27 August 1896Anglo-Zanzibar War
The era
This moment belongs to the Industrial era (1760 CE to 1914 CE), steam, factories and revolutions. You can also browse everything in the 19th century.