Discuss the impact of the Crimean War on the Ottoman Empire.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the impact of the Crimean War on the Ottoman Empire. Candidates may refer to the challenge to Ottoman authority and territory by Russia and how, with support from Britain and France, it overcame that challenge—at least in the short term. During the war, the Ottomans reacquired territory (Bessarabia) that had been seized by Russia and, following the conclusion of the war, the empire could benefit from the security brought about by the demilitarization of the Black Sea. In addition to this, it forged better relations with the West following its wartime alliance. Within the empire, there was also an upswing in Turkish nationalism and an increased determination to resist external threats. This created a new movement for modernization and reform as well as a renewed dedication to Islam. However, it could be argued that complacency set in due to the empire being on the “winning side”, and that led to the Ottomans neglecting the need for reform and, therefore, further deterioration of the Ottoman Empire. While other relevant factors may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question.