Disraeli orders the British fleet to the Dardanelles

Background. The Great Eastern Crisis began in 1875 with uprisings in the Balkans. By late 1877, Russian forces had captured Plevna and approached Constantinople. Disraeli, serving as Prime Minister, sought to maintain stability in the region. The Ottoman Sultan appealed to Britain for protection against Russian expansion, prompting a diplomatic and military response from the British government.

Disraeli's Role. Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, was a Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister. He maintained a close friendship with Queen Victoria. In 1878, he worked to obtain peace in the Balkans at terms favorable to Britain. His policies aimed to counter Russian influence, which he viewed as a threat to British interests in the region.

Geopolitical Context. The crisis involved international powers intervening in Ottoman territories. The Russo-Turkish War resulted in the Treaty of San Stefano, which conceded a large Bulgarian state. Disraeli opposed these terms, leading to the Congress of Berlin. The British government prepared for war, including proposals to position Indian troops at Malta, to balance power in the Near East.