derek-thomas/squad-v1.1-t5-question-generation huggingface dataset:
The war opened in the Balkans when Russian troops occupied provinces in modern Romania and began to cross the Danube. Led by Omar Pasha, the Ottomans fought a strong defensive battle and stopped the advance at Silistra. A separate action on the fort town of Kars in eastern Turkey led to a siege, and a Turkish attempt to reinforce the garrison was destroyed by a Russian fleet at Sinop. Fearing an Ottoman collapse, France and the UK rushed forces to Gallipoli. They then moved north to Varna in June, arriving just in time for the Russians to abandon Silistra. Aside from a minor skirmish at Constanța there was little for the allies to do. Karl Marx quipped that "there they are, the French doing nothing and the British helping them as fast as possible".

Question: Where did the war begin? Question: Russian troops took over which provinces first? Question: Who were the Ottomans led by? Question: When the Turkish tried to provide reinforcements, where were they stopped at? Question: Who hurried their forces to Gallipoli when they feared the Ottoman for would collapse?
Frustrated by the wasted effort, and with demands for action from their citizens, the allied force decided to attack the center of Russian strength in the Black Sea at Sevastopol on the Crimean peninsula. After extended preparations, the forces landed on the peninsula in September 1854 and fought their way to a point south of Sevastopol after a series of successful battles. The Russians counterattacked on 25 October in what became the Battle of Balaclava and were repulsed, but at the cost of seriously depleting the British Army forces. A second counterattack, ordered personally by Nicholas, was defeated by Omar Pasha. The front settled into a siege and led to horrible conditions for troops on both sides. Smaller actions were carried out in the Baltic, the Caucasus, the White Sea and in the North Pacific.

Question: Near what sea did the allies decide to attack the Russians? Question: The Crimean peninsula is located in what city? Question: In what year did the allies land on the Crimean peninsula? Question: The battle of Battle of Balaclava took place in what month? Question: Who defeated Nicholas's second counter strike at the Battle of Balaclava?
Sevastopol fell after eleven months, and formerly neutral countries began to join the allied cause. Isolated and facing a bleak prospect of invasion from the west if the war continued, Russia sued for peace in March 1856. This was welcomed by France and the UK, where the citizens began to turn against their governments as the war dragged on. The war was officially ended by the Treaty of Paris, signed on 30 March 1856. Russia lost the war, and was forbidden from hosting warships in the Black Sea. The Ottoman vassal states of Wallachia and Moldavia became largely independent. Christians were granted a degree of official equality, and the Orthodox church regained control of the Christian churches in dispute.:415

Question: How long did it take for Sevastopol to fall? Question: Who wanted peace when they feared of being invaded from the west? Question: What was the name of the treaty that ended the war? Question: When was the Treaty of Paris signed? Question: Who regained control of the Christian churches after the war was over?
The Crimean War was one of the first conflicts to use modern technologies such as explosive naval shells, railways, and telegraphs.(Preface) The war was one of the first to be documented extensively in written reports and photographs. As the legend of the "Charge of the Light Brigade" demonstrates, the war quickly became an iconic symbol of logistical, medical and tactical failures and mismanagement. The reaction in the UK was a demand for professionalization, most famously achieved by Florence Nightingale, who gained worldwide attention for pioneering modern nursing while treating the wounded.

Question: What modern technologies were first used during the Crimean War? Question: The war was one of the first to be documented in what two ways? Question: Who was recognized for treating the wounded while pioneering modern nursing?
In 1820-1830’s the Ottoman Empire endured a number of strikes which challenged the existence of the country. The Greek Uprising (began in the spring of 1821) evidenced internal and military weakness of Ottoman Empire and caused severe atrocities by Ottoman military forces (see Chios massacre). The disbandment of the centuries-old Janissary corps by Sultan Mahmud II on 15 June 1826 (Auspicious Incident) was a good deed for the country in the longer term, but it has deprived the country from its army forces for the nearest future. In 1827 the allied Anglo-Franco-Russian fleet destroyed almost all the Ottoman naval forces during the Battle of Navarino. In 1830 Greece becomes an independent state after 10 years of independence war and the Russo-Turkish War of 1828–1829. According to the Treaty of Adrianople (1829) Russian and European commercial ships were authorized to freely pass through Black Sea straits, Serbia received autonomy, and Danubian Principalities (Moldavia and Walachia) became the territories under Russian protection.

Question: In what year did The Greek Uprising take place? Question: Who disbanded the Janissary corps? Question: In what year was the Janissary corp disbanded? Question: Who destroyed most of the Ottoman's naval forces during the Battle of Navarino? Question: In what year did Greece finally become an independent state?
France used the right moment and occupied Alger in 1830. In 1831 Muhammad Ali of Egypt, who was the most powerful vassal of the Ottoman Empire, claimed independence. Ottoman forces were defeated in a number of battles, and Egyptians were ready to capture Constantinople, which forced the sultan Mahmud II to seek for Russian military aid. 10 000 Russian army corps landed on the Bosphorus shores in 1833 and helped to prevent the capture of Constantinople, thus the possible disappearance of the Ottoman Empire was prevented.

Question: In what year did France move into Alger? Question: In 1831, who was the strongest vassal of the Ottoman Empire? Question: Who wanted to take over Constantinople? Question: What military force did Mahmud II ask for aid? Question: How many Russians troops were sent to the Bosphorus shores?
In 1838 the situation was slightly the same as in 1831. Muhammad Ali of Egypt was not happy about lack of his control and power in Syria, he resumed military actions. The Ottoman army lost to Egyptians at the Battle of Nezib on June 24, 1839. The Ottoman Empire was saved by Great Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia by signing a convention in London in July 15, 1840 to grant Muhammad Ali and his descendants the right to inherit power in Egypt in exchange for removal of Egyptian military forces from Syria and Lebanon. Moreover, Muhammad Ali had to admit a formal dependence from the Ottoman sultan. After Muhammad Ali refused to obey the requirements of the London convention, the allied Anglo-Austrian fleet blocked the Delta, bombarded Beirut and captured Acre. Muhammad Ali accepted the conditions of the London convention in 1840.

Question: In 1838, who was not pleased of their lack of power in Syria? Question: Who did the Ottomans lose to at the Battle of Nezib? Question: In what year did the Battle of Nezib take place? Question: Who helped save the Ottomans by signing a convention in London? Question: In what year did Muhammad Ali  finally accept the terms of the London convention?
Russia, as a member of the Holy Alliance, had operated as the "police of Europe", maintaining the balance of power that had been established in the Treaty of Vienna in 1815. Russia had assisted Austria's efforts in suppressing the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, and expected gratitude; it wanted a free hand in settling its problems with the Ottoman Empire — the "sick man of Europe". The United Kingdom could not tolerate Russian dominance of Ottoman affairs, as that would challenge the British domination of the eastern Mediterranean.

Question: Who operated as the "police of Europe"? Question: What treaty was signing in 1815? Question: Who did Russia help during the Hungarian Revolution? Question: In what year did the Hungarian Revolution take place? Question: In exchange for helping Austria, Russia wanted to be freely able to handle any issues they had with who?
For over 200 years, Russia had been expanding southwards across the sparsely populated "Wild Fields" toward the warm water ports of the Black Sea that did not freeze over like the handful of other ports available in the north. The goal was to promote year-round trade and a year-round navy.:11 Pursuit of this goal brought the emerging Russian state into conflict with the Ukrainian Cossacks and then with the Tatars of the Crimean Khanate and Circassians. When Russia conquered these groups and gained possession of southern Ukraine, known as New Russia during Russian imperial times, the Ottoman Empire lost its buffer zone against Russian expansion, and Russia and the Ottoman Empire fell into direct conflict. The conflict with the Ottoman Empire also presented a religious issue of importance, as Russia saw itself as the protector of Orthodox Christians, many of whom lived under Ottoman control and were treated as second-class citizens.(ch 1)

Question: For 200 years, Russia been expanding across what area? Question: Why did Russia move towards the warmer ports of the Black Sea? Question: Who did Russia first have issues with when moving towards the warmer ports in the Black Sea? Question: During the Russian imperial times, what other name was southern Ukraine known by? Question: Who was treated as second class citizens under the Ottomans?
It is often said that Russia was militarily weak, technologically backward, and administratively incompetent. Despite its grand ambitions toward the south, it had not built its railroad network in that direction, and communications were poor. The bureaucracy was riddled with graft, corruption and inefficiency and was unprepared for war. Its navy was weak and technologically backward; its army, although very large, was good only for parades, suffered from colonels who pocketed their men's pay, poor morale, and was out of touch with the latest technology developed by Britain and France. By the war's end, everyone realized the profound weaknesses of the Russian military, and the Russian leadership was determined to reform it.

Question: What did Russia fail to build south? Question: What did some feel the Russian army was only good for? Question: What did Russian colonels due to the men who served under them?
The immediate chain of events leading to France and the United Kingdom declaring war on Russia on 27 and 28 March 1854 came from the ambition of the French emperor Napoleon III to restore the grandeur of France. He wanted Catholic support that would come his way if he attacked Eastern Orthodoxy, as sponsored by Russia.:103 The Marquis Charles de La Valette was a zealous Catholic and a leading member of the "clerical party," which demanded French protection of the Roman Catholic rights to the holy places in Palestine. In May 1851, Napoleon appointed La Valette as his ambassador to the Porte (the Ottoman Empire).:7–9 The appointment was made with the intent of forcing the Ottomans to recognise France as the "sovereign authority" over the Christian population.:19 Russia disputed this attempted change in authority. Pointing to two more treaties, one in 1757 and the 1774 Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, the Ottomans reversed their earlier decision, renouncing the French treaty and insisting that Russia was the protector of the Orthodox Christians in the Ottoman Empire.

Question: In what year did France and the U.K declare war on Russia? Question: What individual was responsible for France and the U.K declaring war on Russia? Question: Who demanded protection for Roman Catholic rights in sacred places in Palestine? Question: Charles de La Valette was a devoted and leading member of what party? Question: What position did Napoleon III appoint to La Valette?
Napoleon III responded with a show of force, sending the ship of the line Charlemagne to the Black Sea. This action was a violation of the London Straits Convention.:104:19 Thus, France's show of force presented a real threat, and when combined with aggressive diplomacy and money, induced the Ottoman Sultan Abdülmecid I to accept a new treaty, confirming France and the Roman Catholic Church as the supreme Christian authority with control over the Roman Catholic holy places and possession of the keys to the Church of the Nativity, previously held by the Greek Orthodox Church.:20

Question: What was the name of the ship that Napoleon sent to the Black Sea? Question: Sending a ship to the Black Sea violated the terms made during what agreement? Question: Who felt threaten by France's force and ended up signing a new treaty? Question: Who held authority over Roman Catholic holy places after Sultan Abdülmecid I agreed to the new treaty? Question: Who previously held the keys to the Church of the Nativity?
Nicholas began courting Britain by means of conversations with the British ambassador, George Hamilton Seymour, in January and February 1853.:105 Nicholas insisted that he no longer wished to expand Imperial Russia:105 but that he had an obligation to the Christian communities in the Ottoman Empire.:105  The Tsar next dispatched a highly abrasive diplomat, Prince Menshikov, on a special mission to the Ottoman Sublime Porte in February 1853. By previous treaties, the sultan was committed "to protect the (Eastern Orthodox) Christian religion and its churches." Menshikov demanded a Russian protectorate over all 12 million Orthodox Christians in the Empire, with control of the Orthodox Church's hierarchy. A compromise was reached regarding Orthodox access to the Holy Land, but the Sultan, strongly supported by the British ambassador, rejected the more sweeping demands.

Question: Who was the British ambassador in 1853? Question: Who declared they no longer wanted to spread Imperial Russian? Question: Who did the Tsar send on a mission to Ottoman Sublime Porte? Question: In what year was Prince Menshikov sent to the Ottoman Sublime Porte? Question: Who wanted to ruled over the 12 million Orthodox Christians in the Empire?
In February 1853, the British government of Lord Aberdeen, the prime minister, re-appointed Stratford Canning as British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.:110 Having resigned the ambassadorship in January, he had been replaced by Colonel Rose as chargé d'affaires. Lord Stratford then turned around and sailed back to Constantinople, arriving there on 5 April 1853. There he convinced the Sultan to reject the Russian treaty proposal, as compromising the independence of the Turks. The Leader of the Opposition in the British House of Commons, Benjamin Disraeli, blamed Aberdeen and Stratford's actions for making war inevitable, thus starting the process which would eventually force the Aberdeen government to resign in January 1855, over the war.

Question: Who was the Prime Minister of the British Government in 1853? Question: Who did Aberdeen appoint the position of British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire to? Question: Who replaced Stratford Canning after he first resigned as British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire ? Question: After resigning where did Stratford Canning sail off to? Question: Who did Stratford Canning convince to turn down the treaty proposal?
Shortly after he learned of the failure of Menshikov's diplomacy toward the end of June 1853, the Tsar sent armies under the commands of Field Marshal Ivan Paskevich and General Mikhail Gorchakov across the Pruth River into the Ottoman-controlled Danubian Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia. Fewer than half of the 80,000 Russian soldiers who crossed the Pruth in 1853 survived. By far, most of the deaths would result from sickness rather than combat,:118–119 for the Russian army still suffered from medical services that ranged from bad to none.

Question: Who sent armies across the Pruth River? Question: Who commanded the armies across the Pruth River? Question: Who was in control of the Danubian Principalities? Question: In what year did Russian soldiers cross the Pruth River? Question: How did most Russians die when crossing the Pruth River?
Russia had previously obtained recognition from the Ottoman Empire of the Tsar's role as special guardian of the Orthodox Christians in Moldavia and Wallachia. Now Russia used the Sultan's failure to resolve the issue of the protection of the Christian sites in the Holy Land as a pretext for Russian occupation of these Danubian provinces. Nicholas believed that the European powers, especially Austria, would not object strongly to the annexation of a few neighbouring Ottoman provinces, especially considering that Russia had assisted Austria's efforts in suppressing the Hungarian Revolution in 1849.

Question: Who was given the special role of guardian over the Orthodox Christians in Moldavia and Wallachia? Question: Who recognized and gave Russia the special guardian role? Question: Who felt Europe would not object to the joining of neighboring Ottoman provinces?
The European powers continued to pursue diplomatic avenues. The representatives of the four neutral Great Powers—the United Kingdom, France, Austria and Prussia—met in Vienna, where they drafted a note that they hoped would be acceptable to both the Russians and the Ottomans. The peace terms arrived at by the four powers at the Vienna Conference were delivered to the Russians by the Austrian Foreign Minister Count Karl von Buol on 5 December 1853. The note met with the approval of Nicholas I; however, Abdülmecid I rejected the proposal, feeling that the document's poor phrasing left it open to many different interpretations. The United Kingdom, France, and Austria united in proposing amendments to mollify the Sultan, but the court of St. Petersburg ignored their suggestions.:143 The UK and France then set aside the idea of continuing negotiations, but Austria and Prussia did not believe that the rejection of the proposed amendments justified the abandonment of the diplomatic process.

Question: What European powers met in Vienna for a conference? Question: Who delivered the peace terms of the Vienna Conference to the Russians? Question: In what year did Count Karl von Buol deliver the Vienna Conference news to the Russians? Question: Who approved the proposal given by Count Karl von Buol ? Question: Who rejected the proposal due to poor word phrasing?
The Russians sent a fleet to Sinop in northern Anatolia. In the Battle of Sinop on 30 November 1853 they destroyed a patrol squadron of Ottoman frigates and corvettes while they were anchored in port. Public opinion in the UK and France was outraged and demanded war. Sinop provided the United Kingdom and France with the casus belli ("cause for war") for declaring war against Russia. On 28 March 1854, after Russia ignored an Anglo-French ultimatum to withdraw from the Danubian Principalities, the UK and France formally declared war.

Question: What did the Russian send to Sinop? Question: What battle took place on November 30, 1853? Question: While anchored in the port, what did the Russians destroy? Question: What did Battle of Sinop provide for France and the U.K? Question: When did the Russia disregard the ultimatum to leave the Danubian Principalities?
Britain was concerned about Russian activity and Sir John Burgoyne senior advisor to Lord Aberdeen urged that the Dardanelles should be occupied and throw up works of sufficient strength to block any Russian move to capture Constantinople and gain access to the Mediterranean Sea. The Corps of Royal Engineers sent men to the Dardanelles while Burgoyne went to Paris, meeting the British Ambassador and the French Emperor. The Lord Cowley wrote on 8 February to Burgoyne "Your visit to Paris has produced a visible change in the Emperor's views, and he is making every preparation for a land expedition in case the last attempt at negotiation should break down.":411

Question: Who was concerned with Russia  capturing Constantinople? Question: Who sent men to the Dardanelles? Question: As men were sent to the Dardanelles, where did Burgoyne go? Question: Who was Burgoyne visiting in Paris? Question: Who wrote to Burgoyne on February 8th?
Nicholas felt that, because of Russian assistance in suppressing the Hungarian revolution of 1848, Austria would side with him, or at the very least remain neutral. Austria, however, felt threatened by the Russian troops in the Balkans. On 27 February 1854, the United Kingdom and France demanded the withdrawal of Russian forces from the principalities; Austria supported them and, though it did not declare war on Russia, it refused to guarantee its neutrality. Russia's rejection of the ultimatum caused the UK and France to enter the war.

Question: Who felt Austria would side with him due to the Hungarian revolution outcome? Question: In what year did the Hungarian revolution take place? Question: Who did Austria feel threatened by? Question: Who wanted the Russian forces to leave the principalities? Question: Why did the U.K and France get involved with the war against the Russia?
Following the Ottoman ultimatum in September 1853, forces under the Ottoman general Omar Pasha crossed the Danube at Vidin and captured Calafat in October 1853. Simultaneously, in the east, the Ottomans crossed the Danube at Silistra and attacked the Russians at Oltenița. The resulting Battle of Oltenița was the first engagement following the declaration of war. The Russians counterattacked, but were beaten back. On 31 December 1853, the Ottoman forces at Calafat moved against the Russian force at Chetatea or Cetate, a small village nine miles north of Calafat, and engaged them on 6 January 1854. The battle began when the Russians made a move to recapture Calafat. Most of the heavy fighting, however, took place in and around Chetatea until the Russians were driven out of the village. Despite the setback at Chetatea, on 28 January 1854, Russian forces laid siege to Calafat. The siege would continue until May 1854 when the Russians lifted the siege. The Ottomans would also later beat the Russians in battle at Caracal.:130–43

Question: The Ottoman ultimatum took place in what year? Question: What general crossed across the Danube at Vidin? Question: After crossing the Danube at Vidin, what city did General Omar Pasha take control over? Question: After crossing the Danube at Silistra, in what city did the Ottomans attack the Russians? Question: What is the name of the village 9 miles north of Calafat where the Ottoman forces attacked the Russians?
In the spring of 1854 the Russians again advanced, crossing the Danube River into the Turkish province of Dobruja. By April 1854, the Russians had reached the lines of Trajan's Wall where they were finally halted. In the center, the Russian forces crossed the Danube and laid siege to Silistra from 14 April with 60,000 troops, the defenders with 15,000 had supplies for three months.:415 The siege was lifted on 23 June 1854. The English and French forces at this time were unable to take the field for lack of equipment.:415

Question: Who advanced on Dobruja in the spring of 1854? Question: What river did the Russians cross to get to Dobruja? Question: How man troops did the Russians have when they attacked Silistra ? Question: When did the siege of Silistra end? Question: Why couldn't the French and English take control of the field?