In spite of the above criticism, the Crimean War was an important event of the history of Europe. Its indirect consequences were far reaching and of great significance. They were as under:
(i) The Crimean War laid the foundation of the unification of Italy and Germany. Cavour, the Prime Minister of Piedmont, was a great diplomat. He wanted to unify Italy but, at the same time, he also knew that Italy could not be made a nation without driving Austria out of Italy and that was quite impossible without foreign help.
He wanted to put the question of Italy on international platform. He, therefore, sent his army to the Crimean War in support of the allies. He soon achieved success in his object when he was invited to the Treaty of Paris.
He succeeded in gaining sympathy of the allies. On the other hand, the neutral policy of Austria in the Crimean War made Russia angry.
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That is why, Bismarck, the Chancellor of Prussia took full advantage of the situation. Thus, the Crimean War helped a lot in the unification of Italy and Germany. In the words of Ketelbey:
“Out of the mud of Crimea a new Italy was made and less obviously a new Germany.”
(ii) Some historians are of the view that a new era began after the Crimean War. They have observed that the system of Metternich really collapsed after this war. In the words of Seaman:
“Not 1848, but the Peace of Paris, ends the Metternich’s era, for only with the Crimean War do those political upheavals become possible which Metternich had so long hoped to postpone.”
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(iii) As a consequence of the Crimean War, the internal political situation of Russia was greatly affected. In spite of the big and strong army, Russia was defeated in the war.
The defeat compelled the people of Russia to consider over the defects of the autocratic government of their country. The people put their demands before the government to introduce reforms in the administration. Ketelbey has observed:
“The Crimean War was, in a general sense the watershed of European history, the statement may be, with particular force, applied to Russia.”
(iv) The Crimean War had its great impact upon the international politics too. Russia was the follower of the policy of imperialism. When she saw no chance to extend her empire in the Balkan states, she decided to increase her influence in East Asia.
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Consequently, the politics of China, Japan and other countries of Asia became more complicated. Besides, a new era began in the international politics of Europe which was called “The Era of Armed Peace”.
Thus, it is clear that the Crimean War, in spite of several defects occupies great significance in the history of Europe. As a conclusion, the opinion of David Thomson seems to be praiseworthy. He remarks:
“It was the first war of centuries in which Britain and France had been on the same side, the first in which women led by Florence Nightingale took an important share, the first in which the telegraph, the press, and scientific invention exerted any influence on die course of events.
It was a tumbling war, probably unnecessary, largely futile, certainly extravagant, yet rich in unintended consequences.”