Soldiers, civilians, and supply: lessons from Sevastopol

Abstract

This article examines the supply crisis in Sevastopol during the Crimean War as a case study of war, economy, and society. Evidence shows that structural change and policy developments, rather than a technology deficit, produced systemic shortages across the Russian Empire. The resulting supply crisis on the battlefield spread from the military through the home front, and back again. Protests erupted as hungry soldiers and civilians sought scapegoats in vulnerable social groups. A new suspicion of internal enemies connected to supply networks emerged, and lasted into the Soviet era. While many aspects are unique to the Russian and Ukrainian historical experience, the potential social threat inherent to military supply remains universal.