Contents

List of Illustrations and Maps

List of Abbreviations

List of Geographical Names

A Note on Transliteration and Dates

Acknowledgements

Chapter One Introduction and Review of the Sources

Introduction

Ottoman and Turkish Sources

Turkish Official Military History

Dissertations and Theses in Turkish

Sources in Russian

Sources in Other Languages

Chapter Two The Origins of the Year

Overview of the Ottoman Empire on the Eve of the War

Relations with Britain

Russia between Expansionism and Legitimism

Dispute over the Holy Places

Positions of France, Austria and Other States

The “Sick Man of Europe”

The Mission of Prince Menshikov

The Vienna Note and the “Turkish Ultimatum”

European and Ottoman Public Opinion before the War

Chapter Three Battles and Diplomacy during the War

The Declaration of War

The Danubian Front in 1853

The Battle of Sinop and European Public Opinion

The Caucasian Front in 1853

Relations with Imam Shamil and the Circassians in 1853

The Battle of Şekvetil

The Battles of Ahısha, Bayındır and Başgedikler

The Danubian Front in 1854 and the Declaration of War by France and Britain

The Caucasian Front in 1854–1855

Relations with Shamil and the Circassians in 1854–1855

The Campaign of Summer 1854 and the Battle of Kürekdere

The Siege and Fall of Kars and Ömer Pasha’s Caucasian Campaign in 1855

Battles in the Crimea and the Siege of Sevastopol

The End of the War and the Treaty of Paris

Chapter Four Financing the War

Ottoman Financial Crisis before the War

The Abortive Loan of 1852

Ottoman War Expenses

Conspicuous Consumption by Palace Women

The Mission of Namık Pasha

The Mission of Black and Durand and the First Foreign Loan of 1854

The İane-i Harbiye

The Guaranteed Loan of 1855

The Loan Control Commission of 1855

Chapter Five The Impact of the War on Ottoman Social and Political Life

Contacts with the Europeans

The Islahat Fermanı and the Question of the Equality of Muslims and Non-Muslims

The Prohibition of the Black Sea White Slave Trade

Law and Order in the Provinces

The Revolt of Yezdanşêr

British Interference and the Suppression of the Rebellion

Desertions and the Başıbozuk Troops as a Source of Disorder

Public Opinion and Patriotism

Corruption and its Treatment

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index