ABSTRACT
As prime minister when Britain entered the Crimean War in 1854, Aberdeen’s reputation has been blighted by the lack of military success. When the third Earl died in 1801, his successor was dismayed to discover the neglected condition of his estates. Aberdeen had steadily supported Peel and, together with most other cabinet ministers and leaders of the party, remained loyal to him, forming the group known as the Peelites though the majority of the party supported Lord Stanley and were for a time known as the Protectionists. The Crimean War was the first war fought with full press coverage and no effective censorship in that it resembled the Vietnam War. There is no doubt that Aberdeen felt responsible for the Crimean War but it was not at first a crushing sense of guilt. He continued to advise the Foreign Secretary, Lord Clarendon, and even considered coming back as prime minister during a new political crisis in 1858.
