To what extent was the maintenance of the Balance of Power the most important factor influencing British Foreign Policy?
by
rosielorien (student)
To what extent was the maintenance of the BOP the most important factor influencing British Foreign Policy?
There were many factors influencing British Foreign Policy throughout this period such as Balance of Power, great Power Rivalry, Trade, Routes to India and fear or Russia and Germany. In this essay I am going to look at how important the maintenance of balance of power was compared to the others. All these factors influenced British Foreign Policy, but which was the most important?
One of Britain’s main objectives was to maintain the balance of power throughout Europe. In the first half of the 19th century, Britain dominated the balance of power in Europe. However, by the 1850’s they were becoming increasingly concerned about the developing power of Prussia (Germany) and Russia. Relatively, their economic strength was over taking Britain’s very rapidly. Balance of power was critical for Britain because it enabled them to keep their policy of free trade and to keep Europe free from wars. Britain didn’t want to take part in wars and one of its later policies was ‘splendid isolation’ meaning they never made alliances with other countries. However, in 1854 Britain and France went to war against Russia in the Crimean War to protect their assets in the Ottoman Empire and to prevent Russia taking control of the Black sea and the Mediterranean. Britain and France won the war and this meant that Russia would be refused entry to the Straights until 1870. The Treaty of Paris reinforced this in 1856 when the Black Sea clauses were made prohibiting Russia from using the straights to their advantage. Therefore keeping the balance of power stable for a little longer.
