ABSTRACT
As the campaign season opened in the Black Sea theatre political problems on two levels prevented the unfolding of Palmerston’s strategy. Domestic opposition threatened to overthrow his ministry, if it could unite on any single issue, while British military weakness ensured that progress in the Crimea depended on, and had to reflect, French policies. French co-operation was also vital to the Government, forcing Palmerston to accept the Emperor’s plans, despite his own, more ambitious, strategy. The Emperor’s visit in April produced a paper on Crimean strategy. Palmerston was determined to move the armies into the field, if only to keep Louis Napoleon in Paris. He had to be cautious, demanding the army had a safe line of retreat, for the political consequences of defeat were unthinkable. As safety was hardly possible Panmure called for a war cabinet, including Wood. There was no cabinet, and Palmerston continued to urge an unreceptive Panmure throughout April – although far from arguing on military merit, he stressed the political imperative. 1
