1.3.1
Britain & Splendid Isolation
British Foreign Policy in the 19th Century
British Foreign Policy in the 19th Century
During the second half of the 19th century, British foreign policy was centred around 'splendid isolation'.
'Splendid isolation'
'Splendid isolation'
- For the second half of the 19th century, Britain had been happy to keep its distance from international affairs as long as no single power had control of Europe.
- This way, Britain could concentrate on looking after its overseas colonies.
- This was called ‘splendid isolation’ (isolation means 'standing alone').
Problems with 'splendid isolation'
Problems with 'splendid isolation'
- Britain was forced out of ‘splendid isolation’ because of Germany’s military expansion.
- The humiliating British defeat in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) also prompted Britain to become more involved in European politics.
1The Causes of the First World War
1.1The Alliance System
1.2Crisis in Morocco and the Balkans
1.3Anglo-German Rivalry
2The First World War: Stalemate
2.1The Schlieffen Plan
2.2The Western Front
3Ending the War
3.1Changes in the Allied Forces
3.2Military Developments in 1918
Jump to other topics
1The Causes of the First World War
1.1The Alliance System
1.2Crisis in Morocco and the Balkans
1.3Anglo-German Rivalry
2The First World War: Stalemate
2.1The Schlieffen Plan
2.2The Western Front
3Ending the War
3.1Changes in the Allied Forces
3.2Military Developments in 1918
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