Question

Background information: In the biblical story of David and Goliath, David, the hero of the Israelites, defeats a fearsome giant. Based on what you know about the Crimean War, who does the giant in this cartoon represent?

Answer 1

Based on what we know in Crimean war, I believe the Giant Represent: The Russian Empire
Back then, Russian Empire was regarded as the largest and strongest Empire in Europe. But, the empire managed to be defeated by the alliance of-of France, Britain, the Ottoman Empire and Sardinia in 1856

Answer 2

Answer:  RUSSIA

I've attached an image of an 1854 cartoon published in the French magazine,  Le Charivari.   I suspect it's the cartoon your question has in mind.  The Russian Empire, personified in the cartoon by an image of Tsar Nicholas I, is pictured as Goliath.  A generic Turkish figure (as David) represents the much smaller Turkish Empire.  

The European powers in general had feared a war with Russia, thinking the gigantic Russian Empire could ultimately outdo any other power.  But the Crimean War showed that the Russian Empire was not as formidable as had been thought.  The Turks, along with allied forces from France, Britain, and Sardinia, were able to defeat the Russians.