What was the impact of the Crimean War on the Russian Autocracy?

Defeat during the Crimean War (1853-56) led to Russia being seen as the 'sick man of Europe.' 

The West (Britain and France) were successful for numerous reasons:

• Their soldiers were properly trained, unlike Russia's largely serf-based army. 
• Modern warfare, with its use of advanced weaponry and transport (long-range rifles and steam ships) needed modern soldiers to match, not illiterate serfs.
• The new energy of the Western campaign, encompassed by their newspapers, civilian populations, cables, modern ships, and communications, were all at great contrast to Russia's fumbling and limited campaign.
• More significantly, industrial growth was at the root of their success; it had led to improved technology, communications and general modernity in the West.

What were Russia's failures? And what did these failures reflect about society as a whole?

• The Russian soldier, although patriotic, was ill-equipped for modern warfare, lacking both basic supplies and modern weaponry.
• The Russian serf-based army was only effective in full-frontal attacks, not in smaller units. 
• Russian casualties were extremely high…