Ottoman Crimean War

The Ottomans’ weakness in the Middle East was thought to be filled with Russia and Britain.Czar Nicholas I of Russia described the empire as “the sick man” and offered Britain to participate it. Britain, having privilege at the commercial treaty of Balta Limani of 1838 signed with the Ottomans, did not accept Czar’s offer considering that Russia could become more powerful after a possible participation.

The invasion of Romania (Eflak& Bogdan) by the Russians started a new war between the Ottomans and Russia in 1853. Britain and France supported the Ottomans with their naval forces reaching close to Istanbul. Russia reacted this movement as the break of the Straits Protocol and destroyed the Ottoman navy at Sinop. Consequently, France and Britain signed an alliance with the Ottomans and declared war in 1854. The Russia’s movement through Danube disturbed Austria. Austria took Romania (Eflak & Bogdan) from Russia and invaded the area temporarily, agreeing with the Ottomans. The allied forces, then, took Sebastopol and Russia constrained to end the war.

According to the “Treaty of Paris” of 1856;

Romania (Eflak & Bogdan) gained autonomy

The Black Sea were closed to all, even to the Ottoman and Russian naval vessels.

The Black sea became neutral.

The Straits Protocol of 1841 was again accepted.

The Ottoman state considered as European and might benefit from the European countries’ laws.

Even though the Ottomans were on the allied side, the conditions of the treaty were not by the Ottomans. Britain and France guaranteed to secure the Mediterranean market and colonies’ road against Russia with the strait clause. Also, “Islahat Fermani” reformation of 1856, as the continuation of Tanzimat, signed just before the Treaty of Paris achieved the possibility European’s interference to the Ottomans’ internal affairs with its clauses that gave rights to non-Muslims and equalisation of non-Muslims with Muslims.

Abdulmecid I died in 1861. As he was educated with European culture, he supported faithfully for “westernisation” and positioned talented administrators such as Mustafa Resid Pasha. Abdulaziz, the son of Mahmut II, enthroned with the death of Abdulmecid I