Council 1: What was England's foreign policy in the 19th century?

The science

Council 1: What was England's foreign policy in the 19th century?

Briefly, the foreign policy of England at that time is"brilliant isolation" and colonialism. That is, the country adhered to the principle of not participating in wars on the European continent and at the same time pursuing an aggressive aggressive policy beyond its borders.

Queen Victoria, the personification of the Victorian era, the heyday of the British Empire

The nineteenth century is the time of the greatestpower of the British Empire, it possessed the largest territory, thanks to the most aggressive and successful in scale and pace of colonial expansion, until the 1870s and 1880s. possessed the most powerful industry in the world, controlled world transportation and world markets. Her fleet - the largest and most powerful on the planet, controlled all the "hot" points of the planet. From the policy of England, without exaggeration, depended the fate of the world.

War with Napoleon

The beginning of the 19th century is the Napoleonic wars, andthe policy of England on the continent was determined precisely by them. In the beginning, an alliance was made with Russia, Austria and Sweden against France, but after a series of defeats and diplomatic miscalculations, Britain was isolated. Moreover, having concluded peace with Russia, Napoleon began the famous economic blockade - when all European harbors were closed to England, and English ships were declared prey to everyone. Without support on the mainland, in economic and commercial isolation, England was on the verge of leaving the world arena as an important player. But Napoleon's unsuccessful campaign in Russia was for Britain a saving chance that she did not miss. All foreign policy efforts were aimed at creating an alliance to combat the weakened France. And these efforts, which ended in the victory of the Allied armies at Waterloo and the Treaty of Paris of 1815, again made England the most influential power on the continent, except for the strengthened position of Russia.

Crimean War

After the defeat of France, England pursued a policybalancing the balance of power, restraining Russia's offensive and supporting the losing power of the Ottoman Empire. It was England that stopped the growth of Russia's influence in the Balkans, and also contributed to the creation of the image of a "barbarian from the east" in the eyes of European nations, which ultimately resulted in the formation of an anti-Russian coalition that opposed Russia in the Crimean War. The result of the war was an even greater increase in the influence of England as the main player in European politics, and the strengthening of economic positions, since England's participation in the war was largely due to the struggle for the Turkish market for British goods. The last quarter of the 19th century is characterized by the gradual loss by Britain of a dominant role in European politics in connection with the unification of Germany and the strengthening of its industrial and military might.

Colonial policy

For England, which at that time was a "factory"of the world, the issue of obtaining raw materials for industry, cheap labor, and also new markets for their products was acute. This was one of the main motives for aggressive expansion. After the loss of American colonies in the late 18th century (the war for US independence), England did not attempt to acquire new ones until the 1930s. The main interest was tea, highly valued in Europe, as well as huge opium plantations. From China exported cultural values and precious metals. As a result of three opium wars, China was divided into spheres of influence between Britain, France, the United States and Russia.

East India campaign

A regular trading company later turned into aa tool for managing conquered territories, by the end of the 19th century, controlled almost the entire territory of India. First there were wars with France, after the victory over it began systematic capture of the territory, which ended by the middle of the century, the conquest of the principality Punjab. In the second half of the century England tried not so much to seize new territories, but to save those already conquered. This was due to the strengthening of other European states. Also, the "Great Game" - the struggle between Russia and England for control of central and central Asia has reached a climax. Also there were colonization of Australia, New Zealand, Egypt was occupied. To summarize, it could be said that it was in the 19th century that Britain became the largest empire in the world, whose population was 20% of the world, and over which the sun did not set.

Tip 2: What was Russia's foreign policy in the 19th century?

Foreign policy in Russia was quitetense. The century began with Napoleon's victorious march across Europe, which Russia managed to stop. The revolutionary crisis in Europe destabilized the situation for the whole second quarter of a century. Bloody wars in the East in the second half of the 19th century were not an easy test for the country. By the end of the century, two major military groups appeared in the world, and Russia played a significant role in these events.

The Russo-French War

The beginning of the 19th century was marked for Russiaa difficult war with Napoleon. His invasion was devastating for the economy and functioning of a number of cities, but the Russian army managed to gain a difficult but impressive victory in 1812. The French army fled, after which Napoleon Bonaparte attempted to assemble a new army. For this reason, the military campaign was continued beyond the borders of Russia. May 18, 1814 in Paris, Russia, Austria and Prussia signed an agreement under which France was returned to its borders before the Napoleonic invasions, and he himself was decided to deprive the authorities. This led to the strengthening of the positions and prestige of Russia on the world stage.

Establishment of the Holy Alliance

In 1815, the Holy Alliance was created, whichEmperor Alexander I signed on September 14. All monarchs of Europe also joined this association, except England. The aim of the union was to preserve the existing borders and strengthen the monarchic power in the countries.

Poland's accession and the revolutionary crisis in Europe

In the second quarter of the 19th century happened socalled the revolutionary upsurge (or crisis) in European countries. The national liberation movements declared themselves, and the rulers of states had to reckon with them. The overthrow of the Bourbon dynasty in France took place, followed by an uprising in Poland. The revolutionary danger that came from European states, could not but worry Nicholas I, who ascended the throne after Alexander I. He sent troops to the benefit to suppress the uprising, commanded the Russian army, General Dibich. The operation was carried out successfully, and the Kingdom of Poland as a result became part of Russia.

Situation in the East and South of the Empire

In the third quarter of the 19th century, the main stressmoved to the Eastern region. In 1877 - 1878, the Russian-Turkish war took place, which was quite heavy, but as a result, the Russian army liberated Bulgaria from Turkish domination. The situation in the East was aggravated also because England sought to expand its borders, claiming located in the southeast of Russia on the territory. Russia could not accept such a close neighborhood of England, so the situation was quite tense. However, Russia's expansion to the South was also very successful. By the middle of the 19th century, it was possible to annex Kazakhstan to the territory of Russia, and shortly thereafter marched to the Bukhara emirate, the Khiva and Kokand princedoms. Merv, whose territory was located on the border with Afghanistan, belonging to England, was captured. In 1887, the Russian-Afghan border was fixed, an agreement was drawn up between Russia and England.

The end of the 19th century

At the end of the 19th century, it significantly strengthened its positionsGermany. The Triple Alliance was formed, the following countries joined it: Germany, Italy, Austria-Hungary. Another, equally powerful alliance of the Entente, which consisted of Russia, England and France, was created to neutralize the influence of the Triple Alliance. Nevertheless, this only increased tensions.