Foreign Policy 1890-1914

Question 1

Which country didn’t renew the Mediterranean Agreements in 1897?

Answer 1

Austria-Hungary

Question 2

What foreign policy did Germany adopt in the 1890s? Name two examples of how this threatened British interests

Answer 2

Weltpolitik

This threatened Britain in South Africa with the Boers e.g. 1895 Krueger Telegram. It also threatened British interests in the Ottoman Empire e.g. Kaiser’s visit to Constantinople in 1898

Question 3

When did Russia invade Manchuria? Where did they send warships to in 1898?

Answer 3

Manchuria invaded = 1894/5

Warships sent to Port Arthur in 1898

Question 4

Where was Russia undertaking wars in the late C19th which threatened British interests into India?

Answer 4

Persia

Question 5

What did British protests fail to stop in the Ottoman Empire in 1894-96?

Answer 5

Armenian Massacres

Question 6

Where did French imperial interests clash with Britain in Africa in 1898?

Answer 6

With the Fashoda Crisis

Question 7

Who were the two emerging powers at the end of the 19th Century outside of Europe?

Answer 7

The USA and Japan

Question 8

How was a border dispute between British Guyana and Venezuela settled in 1899?

Answer 8

After US intervention and mediation from 1895

Question 9

What was Britain’s stance in the war between USA and Spain in 1898? What did this mean for Caribbean influence?

Answer 9

They remained neutral. Allowed the USA to emerge as the dominant influence in the Caribbean and South America.

Question 10

What treaty was signed between Britain and the USA in 1901? Why was this significant?

Answer 10

Hay-Pauncefote Treaty.
This was significant because it allowed the USA to build and manage the Panama Canal. This went against a previous Anglo-American agreement which envisaged no sole power being dominant in the canal.

Question 11

When did Chamberlain attempt to persuade Lord Salisbury to enter into an Anglo-German alliance? What was his response?

Answer 11

1898 and 1901

Salisbury refused this both times

Question 12

How did the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900 affect Anglo-German relations?

Answer 12

It resulted in the Anglo-German China Agreement which saw a joint relief force sent to China in order to defend their respective imperial interests there i.e. German possession of Kiao-Chow port and Britain’s interest in free trade and preserving surrounding empire.

Question 13

When was the Anglo-Japanese Alliance concluded? Why?

Answer 13

1902
Britain wanted to preserve its naval strength and colonies in the Far East as Japan was rising in power. Japan was in conflict with Russia over Manchuria and Korea.

Question 14

How did the conditions of the 1905 Anglo-Japanese Alliance differ from the initial one in 1902?

Answer 14

1905 Alliance - stated that if one enemy attacked a member of the alliance, the other would support them. Previously, it had to be two or more enemies attacking an alliance member - otherwise, the other would remain neutral.

Question 15

When was the Entente Cordiale concluded? Why?

Answer 15

1904 - so as to prevent British and French conflict over the Russo-Japanese War (Britain had Japanese alliance (1902) and France had Russian alliance (1893))

Question 16

What did the Entente Cordiale state?

Answer 16

It recognised British claims to rule Egypt and French claims to rule Morocco

Question 17

How did Germany threaten French claims to Morroco in 1905? What was the response?

Answer 17

The German Emperor went to Tangiers and declared his support for the Sovereignty of the Sultan there. This resulted in escalating military tension between France and Germany.
It was resolved by the Algeciras Conference in 1906 where Britain, Italy, Russia and the USA supported French claims to Morroco, forcing Germany to back down. Germany only had A-H’s backing.

Question 18

What was concluded between Britain and Russia in 1907? What did it resolve?

Answer 18

Anglo-Russian Convention
Sorted out areas of dispute such as Persia - Persia was divided into three zones (one Russian, one British and one neutral)

Question 19

When did Germany introduce naval laws which accelerated rivalry with Britain? When was the Dreadnought class of warship made by Britain?

Answer 19

1898 and 1900

Dreadnought = 1906

Question 20

What caused the Second Moroccan Crisis in 1911?

Answer 20

French occupied Fez (southern Morocco) and Germany sent a gunboat to Agadir in disapproval, wanting to gain their own territorial concessions.

Question 21

How was the Second Moroccan Crisis resolved?

Answer 21

Britain intervened and backed France. Negotiations between France and Germany resulted in France gaining a protectorate over Morocco and Germany receiving some concession of the French Congo.

Question 22

What did secret Anglo-French defence talks in 1912 lead to?

Answer 22

The division of British and French navies. France’s navy would protect the Mediterranean and Britain’s navy would defend the Atlantic Coast (North Sea and Channel). This, much like the Moroccan Crisis, deepended Anglo-German and Franco-German tensions.

Question 23

What caused the Liberal government to reverse its policy of cutting naval spending in 1909?

Answer 23

Due to increasing rumours of Germany accelerating its Dreadnought program. George Wyndham’s 1909 slogan “We want eight and we won’t wait” caught the public mood and hence the Liberals were forced to change accordingly.

Question 24

What deal did Germany offer to make with Britain in 1910 which was refused?

Answer 24

They said they would stop naval building if Britain remained neutral i.e. didn’t back France.

Question 25

How did the Fashoda Crisis have a minimal impact on Britain’s imperial policy and foreign relations?

Answer 25

It was a confirmation and continuation of Splendid Isolation. Whilst it may have temporarily worsened relations with France, a diplomatic solution was found to the crisis and a war was avoided.

Question 26

What was the impact of the First Boer War, and the Second one even more clearly, on Britain’s imperial policy?

Answer 26

These wars highlighted the flaws within Splendid Isolation because Britain was incapable of dealing decisively with the fighting of the Boers. Hence, they were forced to recognise that international relationships and alliances could strengthen them and prevent them from being too weak if a war did break out.

Question 27

What was the impact of the Afghan war on British imperial policy?

Answer 27

It was limited because it upheld splendid isolation - Britain intervened in Afghanistan to stop Russia growing more powerful and to secure its interests in India