Why did Great Britain Emerge from Splendid Isolation, 1890 - 1904?

University Degree Historical and Philosophical studies

Mohammed Hadi

Why did Great Britain Emerge from Splendid Isolation, 1890 – 1904?

Great Britain, the empire that was once known as ‘the empire on which the sun never set’, was about to confront with one of the biggest issues it faced for centuries. At the verge of the late 19th century, Britain became the greatest imperial power in the world. It had many colonial possessions scattered across the globe. Britain created and maintained its empire throughout the 19th century at the point of a gun--its Navy--and through the spread of anti-industry ``free trade'' policies to halt the growth of rival nations.

During all this, The British Empire always stood alone. This was the period of so-called ‘Splendid Isolation’ when British ministers were glad to be free of ‘entangling alliances’. Britain had attempted to remain as separate from International matters since the Crimean War. Britain was the largest Imperial power on earth and chose to retreat into the massive wealth and trade afforded to her by overseas territories. In a way, it seemed that Britain disliked the idea of making alliances, simply because she was never prepared to give as well as receive.

However, as the world plunged toward another Dark Age, Britain was also faced with many challenges and rivals. All of a sudden other empires and alliances challenged Great Britain’s industrial and naval supremacy. The alliance of Germany, Austria, Hungary and Italy was balanced by the understanding that existed between the might of France and Russia. All of a sudden the British Empire faced with a growth of colonial and imperial disputes. Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany and his Weltpolitik was also another major concern.

Suddenly it was clear that while Britain stood alone in that which was called isolation, other great powers were exchanging favour for favour and promise for promise, resulting in heavy alliances between dominant European empires. In a speech at Lewes on February 26, 1896, in defence of the government's foreign policy Goschen, the First Lord of the Admiralty, went on to speak on the subject of Britain's isolation. “Our isolation”, he said, “if isolation it be, was self-imposed. It arose out of our unwillingness to take part in Bismarck's "log rolling" system. We are not good at the game, and so, while they are all bartering favour for favour, promise for promise, we have stood alone in that which is called ‘Splendid Isolation’. We cannot make alliances unless we are prepared to give as well as receive.... Why are we isolated? We are isolated because we will not promise things, which possibly we might be unwilling to perform. We are isolated because we do not wish to take part in certain proceedings. But if it comes to some of these great questions that might strike at our great power, our life, our influence, I do not believe we should find ourselves without allies.” From the above speech it is clear that Goschen thought Britain's isolation was slowly proving to be a major disadvantage to its Empire. And therefore, by the turn of the century, many British statesmen were becoming convinced that Britain’s resources were increasingly overstretched and that she needed allies if she were to maintain her role as a world power.

‘ The Great Mother Empire stands splendidly isolated in Europe’. This was the message stated by the Canadian Parliament. This implies that even though Britain it self failed to realize that this isolation was a great threat to its empire, many other countries recognised it effortlessly. In the Boer War, Britain managed to humiliate it self by struggling with threats form rebel powers, when it should have been easily taken care of.

One of the major worries for Britain was Kaiser Wilhelm and his Weltpolitik. Germany always felt that she could profit from any Imperial problems Britain was suffering. Hence, ...

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One of the major worries for Britain was Kaiser Wilhelm and his Weltpolitik. Germany always felt that she could profit from any Imperial problems Britain was suffering. Hence, in an attempt to ‘stir up’ the British Empire, the Kaiser involves himself in the Boers dispute by congratulating the leader of the Bores, via the Kruger Telegram. The Kaiser and his Weltpolitik meant that just like the British Empire, Germany also wanted to move on to the world stage. The Weltpolitik was introduced by the Kaiser with three main aims: to increase its Empire, Economy and most importantly Navy. Great Britain had always prided itself on its massive Navy, but all of a sudden, Kaiser decided that it was time to build up his own collection of ships. Soon Germany had a fully equipped Navy, and from 1899 Germany was beginning to pose a potential naval threat to the Empire. And to make matters worse, at The Hague conference Kaiser announced that Germany wouldn’t reduce Naval production, but infect increase it. Hence, Britain was forced to introduce the Dreadnoughts. This new heavily armed boat serves as an example of the seriousness with which the government viewed the possibility of British naval superiority being usurped.

However, the British Empire consisted of many different international colonies, which meant if other countries threatened Britain, as an act of last resort she could always rely on the support from her self-governing colonies. This clearly raises a question, which asks ‘was Britain ever in Splendid Isolation, and if so, to what extent?’ The conclusion of the Franco-Russian Alliance and the events in South Africa were simultaneously showing that ‘splendid’ had rather an uncertain, and therefore ironic, ring to it.

Finally, it was decided that Britain had to leave the so-called ‘Splendid Isolation’ behind and start forming strong alliances with other countries, not only to protect Britain, but also to protect its worldwide colonies, such as India. One of Britain’s nightmares was that there might be a major war between the continental powers, in which the British imperial possessions would become the spoils of war. Most of the time Britain kept close to the Triple Alliance of Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy and at moments, for example in 1889, a formal alliance seemed possible.

In 1902, the Anglo-Japanese alliance was formed, which in a way marked the abandonment of British Isolation. It was clear that the main aim behind this alliance with Japan was to prevent Russian expansion in the Far East and hence protect Britain’s interests there. In other words, Japan was made the baby sitter who would look after India and keep a close eye on Russia’s activities in China.

In 1903, despite great attempts from the then foreign minister Lansdowne to avert it, war broke out between Russia and Japan. Japan and Britain were on good terms but the decision was made to avoid involvement in the crisis. To the great surprise, of the European powers, by 1905 the Japanese forces had soundly defeated Russia. This humiliated Russia in front of the European super-powers.

Nonetheless, the crisis of the Russo-Japanese war, involved Britain in an unwanted conflict, which in turn pushed her towards France. France like Britain was a huge imperial power and a rival to British domination in North Africa. To make things more complicated France was Russia’s main ally, and for this reason the British were anxious to make sure they stayed on friendly terms with the French. Consequently, in 1903, same as Japan, it was colonial factors that assist the Anglo-French entente. This entente showed France and Britain reaching agreement over the running of several colonies including vital North African territories.

Later the Anglo-French entente assisted with the Anglo-Russian entente in 1907. This entente was beneficial for both countries, as it ended long-term disputes in Persia, Tibet and Afghanistan, but also reduced British worries over India. The alliances between Britain, France and Russia, was known as The Triple Entente.

At the verge of the late 19th century, Britain was undoubtedly the greatest imperial power in the world. It had many colonial possessions scattered across the globe. During all this Britain stood alone, without any forms of entanglements, which was later known as Splendid Isolation. However, as the world was introduced to another Sinister Age, Britain faced with many new challenges and rivals. Soon it was very clear that if Britain wanted to protect it self and its colonies, it could no longer afford to go it alone. Therefore, I believe it was extremely necessary for Britain to find it self some forms of allies for endorsement. As we already know that Britain was facing challenges from Germany over its Naval pride, it was obvious that one of the major worries for Britain was Kaiser Wilhelm and his Weltpolitik. Even though Britain had many colonies with their own forms of government, which could lend Britain a hand if needed, I believe these colonies did not have the strength to bail Britain out, if she faced attack from the new superpowers.

Nonetheless, at the turn of the century the defence of India and the British Empire was seen as the most important job of foreign policy. The decision to enter an alliance with Russia not only protected territories in Asia but inevitably brought Britain closer to Russia's ally France. During the ten years prior to 1914 British involvement around the world was continually geared towards maintaining the balance of power in Europe. It was obvious that the treaties, which tied Britain to France and Russia, were defensive and geared towards avoiding war. As German power expanded it also became necessary to keep France and Russia from entering any alliances with her.

Therefore after considering all the facts, it seems that even though Britain was one of the biggest Naval powers in the world, the weakness of the British ground troops made it vital that she ally herself with a European group and thus tip the balance of power away from Germany. Therefore, if Britain wanted to protect its colonies and still have the status of an Imperial Empire, 1) it had no choice but to emerge for the Splendid Isolation.

2) it was essential for Britain to emerge from the Splendid Isolation.