The Crimean War: A History

Recounting the major events of the last two hundred years of human history, the Crimean war often merits a minor mention. Most people remember the "lady of the lamp", Florence Nightingale and Lord Tennyson's immortal poem "The charge of the light brigade".

To retell a few lines of that great poem

'Forward, the Light Brigade!'

Was there a man dismay'd ?

Not tho' the soldier knew

Some one had blunder'd:

Theirs not to make reply,

Theirs not to reason why,

Theirs but to do & die,

Into the valley of Death

Rode the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,

Cannon to left of them,

Cannon in front of them

Volley'd & thunder'd;

Storm'd at with shot and shell,

Boldly they rode and well,

Into the jaws of Death,

Into the mouth of Hell

Rode the six hundred. 

Read the full poem The Charge of the Light Brigade. These words symbolized in many ways the character of the Crimean war.

Lasting from 1854 to 1856, the Crimean War was not just big power rivalry but was also a result of religious conflict, personal egos of the leaders, much bravery on the part of the soldiers and completely ineffective leadership. It was also a war where modern technologies like the telegraph, new rifles, trench warfare and railways were the harbinger of much worse to come in World War I, just 58 years later. The seeds of that horrible war were laid down in the Crimea during these fateful years. This is the thesis of the magnificent book "The Crimean War: A History" by historian Orlando Figes.

In the late 18th century and leading into the 19th century, the steady decline of the Ottoman Empire gave it the moniker the "Sick man of Europe". Once stretching into the Balkans and Southeastern Europe, enveloping the Black Sea, Asia minor, Palestine, much of the present day Arab middle east, Egypt and north Africa, the Ottoman empire steadily devolved into a series of satrapies lead by local viceroys and "Beys" who became more independent of the emperor and Caliph in Istanbul. European rebellions among the Christian slavic nations and the Greeks whittled away at Ottoman power. Leading up to the Crimean war, the major powers in Europe that maintained some level of equilibrium were the British under Queen Victoria, France under Napolean III, Austria under the Habsburgs and Russia under Nicholas I. All of these powers sought to share in the spoils from the impending demise of the Ottoman empire without strengthening any of the others. The stage is set for war as follows:

RUSSIA has been steadily expanding its southern and Asian borders since Empress Catherine the Great. She now sees herself as the leader of the Orthodox churches (Russian, Byzantine, Greek and Slavic) that stretch in a wide arc from the border of Austria Hungary into the holy lands. The Russian Czar Nicholas I assumes the self defined role of guarantor of the rights of millions of Orthodox Christians within the boundaries of the Ottoman empire ranging from the Christian nations under the Ottoman heel in Europe to the holy land itself. Geographically, the Russians have been seeking to expand their influence around all of the Black Sea and control the Bosporus and Dardanelles thereby securing their entry and trade routes into the Mediterranean sea. Nicholas I therefore covets Constantinople, the historic seat of the Orthodox church. Leading up to war, he seeks Austrian neutrality to secure his western flanks. The Russians are also basking in the aftermath of their famous defeat of Napolean's Grande Armee in 1812 which ultimately lead to his defeat at Waterloo. Nicholas I believes that Russia and his armies are unstoppable.

AUSTRIA or the Habsburg empire of Austria - Hungary is uneasy about possible rebellion within its polyglot empire that rules over modern day Austria, Hungary, parts of Poland, Balkan nations and northern Italy. This is an empire of multiple ethnic groups held together by the Habsburg monarchy. With a teenage emperor Franz Joseph on the throne, Austria fears its large and aggressive neighbor Russia and eventually joins Britain and France during the war. Czar Nicholas I feels that he has been stabbed in the back.

FRANCE after Napolean Bonaparte has been a republic for some years and is now again a monarchy under Napolean III (who was also a president of the French republic). Napolean is under pressure to deliver glory and fame to his people and cement his position as their emperor a position he has attained by an army backed coup d'etat. France's historically close ties to the Roman Catholic church and its strong role in the crusades and Christian affairs in the Holy land brings it into conflict with the Orthodox church and its Russian backers. Figes talks about the riots between the Orthodox and Catholic priests in the running of the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem with vivid detail.

BRITAIN has successfully come out of the Napoleanic wars with major gains and has been enjoying an expansion of empire, trade and power. The British are worried about the expansion of the Russian empire in Southern Europe towards Istanbul, Iran and the threat to their Indian empire. They also seek to establish a political and economic protectorate over the declining Ottoman empire and contend that Russia must be stopped at all costs.

Orlando Figes draws a well narrated picture of the lead up to war and the commencement of hostilities on the Danube front when Russian troops move south along the western (Bessarabian) coast of the Black sea. Once Austria enters the war on the side of the allies, the focus of war shifts to the Crimea. Despite it being the Crimean war, this is truly a war of global proportion with naval action in the Baltic, fighting in the Caucasus and along the Pacific coast of the Russian empire.

The famous historical battles of Alba, Balaclava, Inkerman and the seige of Sevastopol are ably recounted by Figes at the human level. The stories are told not just through the eyes of the generals but also the infantrymen, hussars and the junior officers. The technological superiority of the Franco-British forces is very apparent starting with their Minie rifles. This rifle fires a streamlined Minie bullet accurate to ranges up to 1000 yards while the Russian muskets barely reach 200 yards. The British and French soon learn to not charge the Russians but stand and fire from a distance killing Russians in the hundreds much before the Russian muskets have any effect. The telegraph makes it possible for news to reach home capitals in hours - both official dispatches as well as newspaper accounts. The public in France and Britain get detailed accounts of victories, defeats and the horrible living conditions of their troops with journalists freely roaming the front lines with pens and cameras.

Orlando Figes does a great job explaining the incredible bravery of troops on both sides under extremely poor generalship. Lord Raglan, the British commander is shown as a bumbling and ineffective commander who comes by his role only because he is an aristocrat. A confusing order from him leads to the famous and futile charge of the light brigade into the mouth of the Russian guns. The light brigade known as the finest cavalry in the world charges into the field of fire of multiple Russian gun batteries and suffers 278 casualties and 335 horses killed (and an unspecified number taken prisoner) and achieving nothing. This is but one battle among many such futile battles with no clear outcomes or strategic reasons. The French generals are too cautious though they take better care of their men with field kitchens, better tents, winter uniforms and field hospitals - all areas where the British were poor or plainly lacked. The Russian serf army fights incredibly bravely dying in their thousands defending their Rodina (the motherland) under criminally negligent generals. Nothing exemplifies it better than the siege of Sevastopol where the Russians stood firm bombed, shelled and battered by hundreds of allied cannon and thousands of Franco - British soldiers that outnumbered them. This is reminiscent of the Russian soldier many decades hence at Stalingrad, Leningrad and many an other bloody battlefield.

Casualties numbered 20,000 for the British (out of 100,000), more than 100,000 for the French (out of a force of 300,000) and almost a million Russian troops. Battle, disease and harsh winter were equally contributing factors for these deaths not to mention wounded casualties which were more numerous. Inadequate medical care (which is where Florence Nightingale played a role), lead to many deaths that were otherwise preventable.

Orlando Figes ends with a good telling of the impacts of the war and its consequences over the next many decades. Major reformations in the British army (including officer commissions that had to be earned and couldn't be purchased), care for the fighting man, the Victoria cross (first medal for the humble soldier) and accountability for politicians and leaders in the course and outcomes of a conflict were just some of the social outcomes. Though Russia was thwarted on its southern front for now, it was a Pyrrhic victory for the allies. Just a couple of decades hence, Russia would go to war again with Turkey and make major gains.

More importantly, this war sowed the seeds of discord in Europe and the Balkans which would then lead to World War I where millions would die using weapons and tactics evolved from the Crimean War. Overall, "The Crimean War: A History" by Orlando Figes is a fantastic read for anybody with a deep interest in history, geo-politics and war.

First Battle of Manassas / Bull Run - Reenactment 150 years later

Fifteen decades ago, a young country had serious differences within its civic dialog to resolve - about what kind of nation they were building. With the secession of the southern states and the formation of the confederacy, they decided to sort it out violently in war. The first battle took place on gently sloping grasslands near Manassas, Virginia about 30 miles west of Washington DC. The two sides did not even agree on what the battle would be called. The Union named their battles after the nearest river or stream, the Confederates named their battles after the nearest town. This battle therefore was called the First Battle of Manassas by the Confederacy and the First Battle of Bull Run by the Union, Bull Run being a small tributary of the Potomac. This was the first battle because just a few months later they would fight again on the same battlefield.

Virginia, where I live was home to 3 out of 5 Civil War battles. As they drive around the Metropolitan DC area, most Americans zip by signs advertising different battlefields, part of a war where almost 600,000 Americans laid down their lives. Though it was south of the Mason-Dixon line, the citizens of Virginia were split, some siding with the union and a majority fighting with the Confederacy.

As a historian and military buff, on July 23rd 2011 it was my privilege and honor to be a spectator watching the reenactment of the First Battle of Manassas on its 150th anniversary. The reenactment was staged on grass lands adjacent to the actual battlefield and inside the national park that now envelopes that field of war. The battle was staged by 8000 reenactors, historians all dressed in authentic clothing, firing actual civil war muskets and supported by replicas of civil war cannons. We the spectators played an authentic part of the reenactment too, for in the original battle about 1000 spectators rode out to the battlefield from Washington DC to watch the might of the Union army smash the confederates and quickly end the secession. They rode out on horses and carriages, sporting picnic hampers and glasses to watch the battle much as we did sitting in the bleachers and on the edges of the battlefield.

This first battle was fought by two very green and amateur armies. The soldiers were citizens who were farmers, stable hands, blacksmiths and tradesmen taking up arms for their cause. Most of the officers had never seen battle before. They say the battlefield is smoke, noise and confusion and the amateur soldiers added their own confusion to the melee. The confederates initially lost ground to the Union advance but were rallied on the lee slope of Henry Hill and stood firm around General Jackson's brigade (where he earned the moniker "Stonewall"). They then advanced and pushed the Union into retreat all the way back to DC. This was just the beginning of four years of war, death, destruction and the final victory for emancipation, liberty and freedom.

Here are some photos of the re-enactment which was staged in the middle of a heat wave. We the spectators baked and sweated in 100 degrees plus heat and humidity. Hats off to the reenactors who did the real work in full uniforms, regalia and amidst the smoke, bugle calls, clamor and cannon fire.

If you would like to see all the 100+ photos I took of the reenactment click here

Union cavalry man, what a fine horse

Union cavalry officers

Union cavalry demonstrate a charge

J E B Stuart's confederate cavalry

The Virginians

Union's 1st Minnesotans

Confederate casualties - tough act lying in the hot sun

Confederates fire volleys, by company

US Marines protecting the Union artillery's right flank

Union battery firing on the confederates. Unfortunately, their rifled barrels threw the shot high over the enemy.

Smoke and thunder of cannon fire

Colonel Jackson's Virginia brigade. They stood and fought like a "Stone Wall"

The 69th New York fought bravely for the Union

Confederate volley fire

Confederate flag, one of many versions. The Dixie had not been created yet.

Confederate cavalry

The 69th New Yorkers fight the rear guard action covering Union retreat

Parrot gun (working replica)

End of empire, managing decline - Part 1

At the peak of it's power during the 19th century Britain's Royal Navy had over 1,000 ships of the line patrolling the world's oceans. In 1898, the British Parliament passed a law that the Royal Navy should be twice the size of the second biggest naval power. Yet, just a few decades hence in the 1920s Britain had consented to the US naval fleet being the same size as the Royal Navy. This was the Washington conference of great powers post world war 1. Some might think that was the beginning of decline for the British empire, however that decline had started much earlier.

Some historians think that British power peaked around 1840 which might surprise most people. The fact is that Britain's empire grew too much and by that time made no economic sense. Controlling, managing and guarding a far flung empire took immense resources and the balance sheet was just too lopsided with costs compared to the gains from owning vast tracts of land and islands in every ocean. Even as successive British Governments expended vast sums of money and resources to build and maintain the empire, the gains and wealth accrued to a small portion of the British population namely it's aristocracy and landed gentry - the ruling classes. The working classes toiled in factories, on farms and serving as cannon fodder for the imperial armies and the navy.

As Britain entered the 20th century, the US, Germany and Japan were fast rising economic and military powers. Britain then embarked on it's Boer wars to quell rebellion and expand it's South African colony. The war was fueled by imperial greed led by the likes of Cecil Rhodes and avarice (vast diamond fields had just been discovered). Apart from numerous atrocities committed in the name of empire (the concentration camp was invented here by the British, not the Nazis) this war sucked in up to half a million troops and cost the empire more than £200 million, the costliest British war prior to world war 1. The war also lead to populist and social policies including national free healthcare, the union movement, housing, pension and vast social programs, all measures that would finally reward and mollify the working classes for their empire. This however had to be borne by a depleting treasury and a balance sheet skewed with cost.

The devastation of World War 1 followed shortly thereafter with more than 1 million casualties for the empire and an entire generation of young men lost on the bloody battlefields of Europe. Old and out of touch generals fought 20th century technology with 19th century tactics while Britain borrowed money from the US and food from it's colonies. The end of the war cemented the position of the US as the next world power economically and militarily.

The second world war was the epitaph of the empire that beggared Britain and reduced it to a second rate power. At the "Big three" power conferences in reality there were just two, the US and Russia. Britain hung in there primarily due to the powerful personality of Winston Churchill. The decline was complete with the breakup of empire (forced in part by the US), deep in debt to the US and British colonies, with a battered nation and dispirited people.

Fast forward six decades hence, the American empire is in decline. Many years from now historians might say that the US peaked late in the 20th century or at the beginning of this one. There seem to be many eerie parallels to the decline of the British empire. Out of control Government spending by the so called small Government Republicans of the Bush II administration sent the country deep into debt when they actually inherited a surplus from the previous Clinton administration. A needless and unjustified war in Iraq has wasted more than a trillion dollars of money (borrowed) with no tangible returns. Avarice and greed on wall street led to financial disaster and what seems like a very long recession. Personal greed and lack of financial discipline have led many Americans to lose their homes and livelihoods while still being deep in hock.

The US military is larger than the next 13 world powers, 11 of these being allies or partners. US forces are based on more than 600 bases in every continent. Some might disagree that history ever repeats itself. As an amateur historian I like to think that history echoes itself. This seems to me like the over extended British empire on which the sun never set. Today the sun always shines on some US base, ship, airplane or multibillion dollar satellite at any given moment. Some might wonder if the Iraq disaster was our Boer war. Personally, I think it was even worse.

Deep in debt, we have some who want to spend money we don't have on grandiose social programs and raise taxes on an already weary populace. Others would reduce taxes but cut no spending sending us deeper into debt. This sounds eerily like early 19th century Britain which had still not woken up to decline.

In 1956, Britain, France and Israel colluded to attack Egypt without informing the US. The stated objective was to secure the Suez canal which President Nasser had just nationalized. President Eisenhower was furious and forced all three nations to stop and pull back. He didn't do this by dispatching a US fleet but just by threatening to call in the huge war debts of the UK and France. It was the last attempt by Britain to act like a great power.

Imagine some time in the near future when US forces intervene to protect Taiwan from a Chinese invasion or South Korea from an invasion by China's North Korean proxy. It is not unforeseeable that China might threaten to call in it's huge loans to the US, especially as the Chinese economy becomes more independent of the US.

Almost a couple of millennia earlier, another great empire of the Romans perished to tumultuous applause from the crowds at the Circus Maximus in the Colosseum. As the empire declined successive emperors needed to organize these grand spectacles to keep the populace in check so they didnt revolt. When I read about the grandiose new stadium built by the Dallas Cowboys with its 60-foot television screen, I couldn't but help wonder if it was an eerie modern-day parallel.

The leaders of both parties in the US would be wise to heed the echoes of history and begin to work together for the good of the nation and gracefully manage decline. So is it all doom and gloom? Most certainly not. We are living in a fast globalizing world with shorter cycles of booms and declines.

We just have to learn to manage decline from it's peak and learn to co-exist in a globally interdependent world. How? is fodder for my next article.