The Crimean War and Russo-American Relations

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Title

The Crimean War and Russo-American Relations

Description

            During the mid-1850s, the events of the Crimean War expanded what had been minimal interaction between the United States and Russia. Although the United States remained neutral during the war, the question of shipping neutrality first raised the notion that the United States and Russia could benefit from working in concert to resist British influence. The United States, throughout the war, made known to Britain and France its principle that “free ships make free goods” and that American trade, as a non-belligerent power, would not halt in Russia.[1] Fortunately, the Crimean War passed without this becoming an active point of contention between Britain and the United States. The war still served as a hint that even before British and French involvement in the Civil War, the United States might be served by finding a counterbalance to those two countries in Russia.

            The sudden flurry of diplomatic activity between the United States and Russia likewise helped to give American and Russian diplomats familiarity with each other. The Russian minister to the United States at this time, Eduard de Stoeckl, would later serve throughout the Civil War period.[2] Stoeckl would prove to be a key intermediary between the two countries, and he did not hesitate to make public the diplomatic notes of friendship between his two countries.[3] Given the positive state of relations between the two countries as a result of the Crimean War, in 1861 the United States and Russia were well-primed for further conciliation against potential British and French threats.



[1] Benjamin Platt Thomas, Russo-American Relations, 1815-1867. (Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Press, 1930), 112.

[2] Frank A. Golder, “Russo-American Relations during the Crimean War.” The American Historical Review, 31 no. 3 (April 1926): 463.

[3] Albert A. Woldman. Lincoln and the Russians. (Cleveland: World Publishing Company, 1952), 130.

Creator

Samuel Coffin

Source

Frank A. Golder, “Russo-American Relations during the Crimean War.” The American Historical Review, 31 no. 3 (April 1926): 462-476.

Benjamin Platt Thomas, Russo-American Relations, 1815-1867. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Press, 1930.

Albert A. Woldman. Lincoln and the Russians. Cleveland: World Publishing Company, 1952.

Date

1854-1856

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