Read the text and answer the questions.

The Crimean War was a military conflict fought between October 1853 – March 1856 in which Russia lost to an alliance of France, the United Kingdom, the Ottoman Empire, and Sardinia. The immediate cause involved the rights of Christian minorities in the Holy Land, which was controlled by the Ottoman Empire. The French promoted the rights of Catholics, while Russia promoted those of the Eastern Orthodox Christians. The longer-term causes involved the decline of the Ottoman Empire and the unwillingness of the United Kingdom and France to allow Russia to gain territory and power at Ottoman expense. It has widely been noted that the causes, in one case involving an argument over a key, have never revealed a "greater confusion of purpose", yet led to a war noted for its "notoriously incompetent international butchery." 

While the churches eventually worked out their differences and came to an initial agreement, both Nicholas I of Russia and Napoleon III refused to back down. Nicholas issued an ultimatum that the Orthodox subjects of the Empire be placed under his protection. Britain attempted to mediate, and arranged a compromise that Nicholas agreed to. When the Ottomans demanded changes, Nicholas refused and prepared for war. Having obtained promises of support from France and Britain, the Ottomans officially declared war on Russia in October 1853.

1. Did the churches finally work out their differences?
2. What two people didn't?
3. What did Nicholas do?
4. What was Britain's response?
5. What did they propose?
6. What did Nicolas do in response to the Ottomans?
7. Who agreed to help the Ottomans?
8. who declared war?
9. on which country?
10. When did the crimean War begin?
11. till when?

Numbered answers:
1. yes
2. Nicholas I of Russia and Napoleon III
3. issued an ultimatum
4. Britain attempted to mediate
5. a compromise
6. Nicholas prepared for war
7. France and Britain
8. the Ottomans
9. Russia
10. October 1853
11. March 1856