Crimean War Button
The Crimean War was a military conflict that pitted the Russian Empire against an alliance of Britain, France, the Ottoman Empire and Sardinia. The cause of the war was partly because of religious differences, with Russia promoting the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the French promoting the rights of Roman Catholics. However, even though the churches worked out their differences, tensions still existed due to Russian pressure on Turkey that threatened European commercial and strategic interests in the Middle East and India.
Having obtained commitments of support from Britain and France, the Ottoman Empire declared war against Russia in October 1853. After securing Istanbul, the Anglo-French alliance launched an attack, primarily focusing on the Crimean Peninsula, where the majority of the battles were waged. After two and a half years of fighting, Russia was forced to accept defeat and sued for peace in March 1856. The war was formally ended upon the signing of the Treaty of Paris on March 30, 1856.
Having obtained commitments of support from Britain and France, the Ottoman Empire declared war against Russia in October 1853. After securing Istanbul, the Anglo-French alliance launched an attack, primarily focusing on the Crimean Peninsula, where the majority of the battles were waged. After two and a half years of fighting, Russia was forced to accept defeat and sued for peace in March 1856. The war was formally ended upon the signing of the Treaty of Paris on March 30, 1856.
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The item in my collection is a button from a uniform of a Russian officer, who served as a Grenadier/Cuirassier. It is approximately 26mm in diameter, and was recovered during an excavation at Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula.
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