Question

the first newspaper war
the crimean war was fought in the 1850s between russia on one side and britain, france, and turkey on the other. although it was a major conflict, it is perhaps best remembered as the first war in which journalists were present on the battlefield. news dispatches from william howard russell, a reporter for the times of london, exposed military blunders and revealed the filthy conditions that existed in military hospitals and camps. photographers such as james robertson and roger fenton made hundreds of photographs of soldiers on the battlefield. these news reports and photographs provided an uncensored look at life on the frontlines. the crimean war marked the first time in history that people back home were exposed to the horrors of war.
what is the main, or central, idea of the passage?
the crimean war was the first war to be documented for civilians.
the crimean war was fought between the russians and the british, french, and turkish.

Explanation:

The passage emphasizes that the Crimean War was the first war where journalists and photographers provided uncensored views of the front - lines to people back home, documenting it for civilians. While it mentions the combatants, the focus is on the documentation aspect.

Answer:

The Crimean War was the first war to be documented for civilians.