I should also note, 19th century British politics was largelly dominated by two individuals: d'Israeli - a charming Jew born to a middle class familly and (surprisingly) leader of the 'conservatives' (I forget the names of the two major political parties (wigs and torries I think), but for relevance sake will call them conservatives/liberals) and Gladstone - a practicing Christian, a humanist and the leader of the 'liberal' party. d'Israeli policies were staunchly pro-Ottoman and anti-Russian. Gladstone on the other hand although not the complete opposite, believed in freeing the Balkan peoples from Ottoman oppression - but not handing them to the Tsar. In any event he was constantly hampered by general British public opinion and the Queen (who happened to like d'Israeli and distrusted Gladstone, because fundamentally his views could mean that the British colonies and posessions should also rule themsleves). In any case Gladstone was the Prime Minister when the Crimean War started. He was against involvement, but the British public was whipped into a war frenzy and he had no choice but to declare war. It is almost certain without the British, the French would not have gotten involved. In fact they should have had little interest, but an alliance with Britain was Napoleon III's dearest wish.