Foreign Policy Flashcards
How did Russian cause Britain to form ententes?
-Tsar Nicholas II’s letter to Edward VII conveyed Europe’s disapproval of the Boer war entering a plea for’a small people desperately defending their country’. -At the time, Salisbury saw the Tsar’s criticism as a threat to comply an ultimatum from Sweden to halt the movement of troops into Finland. -the common interest truly fuelling the alliance was opposition to Russian expansion.-This was made clear as early as the 1890s, when Cecil Spring Rice identified that the United Kingdom and Japan working in concert was the only way to challenge Russian power in the region. -Japan was beginning to become a viable candidate for alliance. -Negotiations began when Russia began to move into China.
How did German colonisation and expansion cause Britain to form ententes?
German military strength also began tilting the balance of power in Europe
- German colonisation and expansion
- In 1903, G began extending the Constantinople railway from Berlin to the Turkish empire, extending influence and trade. This growth left Britain with mistrust and concerns about German intentions.
- The British Admiralty estimated that the German navy would be the world’s second largest by 1906.
- clear to Britain that Tirpitz’s ultimate goal was a fleet capable of rivaling the British fleet.
- Britain’s Naval Defence Act of 1889 -> Britain was to maintain a navy superior to Britain’s two largest rivals combined.
- German militarism was feared by Britain as the arms race progressed in speed.
How did German economic strength cause Britain to form ententes?
- 1870 - 1900 GB declined from being the world’s leading industrial nation to third in economic performance.
- G greater population than GB, 1910-1911 20% greater
- > larger work force and a larger consumer market.
- By 1906 to 1910, the German percentage of world manufacturing capacity was greater than Britain’s.
- 860, Britain was the captain of the steel industry producing as much as two times the amount of steel Germany was producing. 1914 1/2
- evident that GB econ in decline + beginning to rely more heavily on German exports.
- > left GB vulnerable as G became a stronger power which upset the balance of power
How would the Entente Cordial reduce costs for GB?
- France shared similar political views with Britain and Britain had little interest in Morocco.
- However, Egypt was a key part of the old spice and trade routes between Europe and Asia.
- The Suez Canal provided the quickest way of maintaining communications between Britain and India.
- French and Egyptian governments financed the opening of the Suez Canal 1869
- In 1875, the Egyptian ruler was forced to sell his shares in the canal operating company to the British government. the majority of shares were still held by French private investors.
- The international status of British control over Egypt remained uncertain since 1882
- > profitable Indian Empire was under threat
- the Entente Cordiale of April 1904. France promised not to challenge British control over Egypt
Why was the Russo-Japanese war a factor to the formation of the Entente Cordial
- 1902 Anglo Jap
- 1882 Franco-Russian agreement
- > both nations shucked off ancient rivalries to prevent entrance into war
How was Grey successful in his policies towards the GB fleet?
Greys appreciation that sea power was the basis of British power in the world allowed Britain to secure naval supremacy in 1912.
- It was evident that German Naval Laws of 1898 and 1900 would bring Germany’s naval power above that of Britain’s. -However, many liberals sought to transfer money into domestic reform rather than dreadnoughts.
- Grey combatted this by assisting Wyndham’s 1909 campaign with the slogan ‘we want eight and we won’t wait’ which effectively caught the public mood.
- It was this allocation of money which allowed Britain’s navy to maintain its power above Germany.
What led to the Anglo-French naval agreement?
- However, the naval race brought tension between Britain and Germany.
- This tension was heightened when Germany’s ‘Panther’ appeared at Agadir.
- Grey was so alarmed that military conversations with France took a further step.
- In 1912, a secret Anglo-French naval agreement strengthened the relationship between England and France.
- This allowed Britain to ensure that Germany could not prove threat to Britain through the west coast of France but also provided greater German incentive for war in 1914.
- This agreement was reached without cabinet consent.
- This resulted in the cabinets mistrust of Grey when the secret was exposed.
- it provided France with security of British support which is why the cabinet would have most likely disagreed with this agreement if Grey had brought forth this idea.
Why is Grey criticised for not forming a firm alliance with France?
On the other hand, many believe that Britain’s relationship with France should have been converted into an alliance in order to prevent German aggression.
- Cambon, the French ambassador in London, felt things could not be left as they were as he was convinced that the Kaiser was intent on confrontation.
- French nerves were strained as Grey’s assurance of diplomatic support provided no firm military guarantees.
- A firm alliance with France may have deterred Germany.
Was it possible for Grey to have formed a firm alliance with France?
- However, this view assumes that Grey could have persuaded the Cabinet and Parliament in favour of an alliance with France and Russia.
- Grey clearly believed this was not feasible and was unconvinced that forming a rival alliance would have made war less likely.
- Liberal neutralists and disarmers would have caused such an alliance to split Britain.
- If France or Russia were confident of Britain’s support they might have been encouraged to attack Germany.
- Alternatively, this could have catalysed war as Germany may have believed the Schliffen plan was the only method to avoid encirclement.
How was Grey successful in protecting the British economy in terms of Germany?
Throughout tension with Germany, Grey was able to maintain Anglo-German trade.
- Although tension from the naval race was inevitable, many argue that Grey’s persistence in talks with Germany allowed Britain to continue its reliance in German trade.
- In the period 1890-1913, British imports from Germany trebled and Britain exports to Germany doubled.
- The trade between the two was of an unrivalled magnitude.
- Germany increasingly purchased raw materials form the British empire and ‘invisibles’ from the City of London which clearly stimulated the British economy.
Why is Grey criticised for attempting to settle disputes with Germany?
- Despite this, many criticise Grey for continually attempting to settle disputes with Germany.
- Although some progress was eventually made on colonial matters through Greys discussions, Grey was unable to halt the arms race and any attempts to discuss German naval disarmament was shifted by Admiral Tirpitz.
- In 1910, Admiral Tirpitz established that hopes of reaching any agreement to halt the naval race was dependant on Grey’s promise of Britain’s neutrality.
- However, Britain’s agreements with France and Russia ruled that out, especially if Germany proved war with France.
- Therefore, It can be argued that Grey’s negotiations merely encouraged German aggression.
How did Grey unite a divided cabinet?
Possibly the most successful response from Grey was that which united a divided cabinet in 1914.
- On the 1st of August, the Cabinet was still wavering, repeating its ‘no commitment’ position.
- Upon Germany entry into Belgium on the 3rd of August, Grey told the House of Commons that the future of Europe could be under the domination of one power with the knowledge that his would be an intolerable position for Britain.
- Grey’s ability to unite anti-imperialists to a decision for war was significant because the liberals were a party of faddists.
- The Liberal split in 1888 over Home Rule left them out of power for 20 years.
Why is Grey criticised for the build of the war?
- However, Morley and Burns argue that this would have been unnecessary if no military conversations with France and Russia had taken place.
- Additionally, Grey has been criticised for being too indecisive between July and August 1914.
- Germany’s place after Austria had declared war on Serbia on the 28th of July was clear.
- Therefore, if Grey had stated a position earlier, the Schliffen plan would have been prevented, preventing Britain’s entry into war.
- Nonetheless, Grey’s discretion allowed Britain to avoid entanglement until it became absolutely necessary.
Give a judgement on Grey’s success
In spite of criticism of Grey’s indecisiveness in the issues of alliance, entry into war and negotiations, Grey was successful in steering a middle path between over-commitment and supporting France and Russia against German domination of the continent through discretion and compromise.
How did the war benefit women?
Representation of People’s Act 1918
-> contribution to war effort = great factor
