The Crimean War made it apparent that Russia was desperately in need of industrialization and reform.
Before the Crimean War, Russia was primarily an agrarian society. 90% of the population lived off the land and there was little industrial activity. The Crimean War was between 1853 and 1856. Russia lost the war. They had not lost a major war in 150 years. The defeat highlighted how far Russia was behind the rest of the industrialized world. Russia needed modernized weapons, railroads and a reorganization of their armed forces.
