How far do you agree that the impact of military conflict was the key factor in determining change in the making of modern Russia, between 1856 and 1964? War in any country will definitely bring changes to the country therefore military impact has also played a key role in Russian history in the making of modern Russia. The full modernization of Russia has happened step by step, however if it wasn't for Russia defeat in the Crimea war then cause to change to modernize Russia would be later on in the future then in 1861 during Alexander II's emancipation of the serf. Factors such as economic, social, leadership and political has the same impact in the making of modern Russia, as much as future military conflicts. .
Military impact is the fastest cause of change. The Crimean War (1853-1856) showed Russian weakness and backwardness that led to the defect. The poor performance in the war was soon realised by the Russian as not being in the same level as the Eastern Europe in terms of modernisation. The war was the main reason behind the desire to change the country of its government and ideology. After the defeat of Crimean it was vital for Russia to learn to have a capitalist civilization, as it would help create wealth and technology. Reforms of the emancipation of the serfs and many other came to create balance in the military and government structure, the reforms was the first step to modernization. The Crimea war revealed Russia weakness and the importance to modernize to win future wars. Even though the modernization of Russia was threatened by the corruption of the government structure and the failure to adapt democracy, Russia at this point was very confident from some economic benefit from modernization. In 1877 Russia got into a military conflict with the already weakened Turkish Ottoman Empire. And maybe to show the world its 'powers' gained by modernization, Russia was eager to make an impact on the Eastern Europe by helping Serbia and Bulgaria gain independence.
