Splendid isolation

Splendid Isolation is the foreign policy pursued by the Britain during the late 19th century, under the premierships of Benjamin Disraeli and The Marquess of Salisbury who first coined the term.

Related Topics:
Foreign policy - Britain - Benjamin Disraeli - The Marquess of Salisbury

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During this period, Britain's primary goal in foreign policy was, firstly, to maintain the balance of power in Europe. If the balance of power was upset, Britain was ready to intervene.

Related Topics:
Balance of power - Europe

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Britain's second goal was to protect its overseas interest in the colonies and dominions, as free trade is what kept the Empire alive. The sea routes to the colonies, especially India, were vital.

Related Topics:
Colonies - Dominion - Free trade - India

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The policy of Splendid Isolation was characterised by a reluctance to enter into permanent European alliances or commitments with other Great Powers and by an increase in the importance given to British colonies, protectorates and dependencies overseas. This occurred side by side with the development of informal empire through the use of sphere of influence and client states dominated by, but not directly governed by Britain.

Related Topics:
Great Powers - Colonies - Protectorates - Dependencies - Informal empire - Sphere of influence - Client states

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After the unification of Germany, Bismarck initiated the alliance system to prevent France's revenge. Successful alliances began with the Dreikaiserbund and Dual Alliance, 1879. The Triple Alliance was finally formed in 1882 with signatories including Germany, Austria, and Italy.

Related Topics:
Germany - Alliance system - France - Dreikaiserbund - Dual Alliance, 1879 - Triple Alliance - 1882 - Austria - Italy

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The rise of Germany in both industrial and military terms alarmed Britain. After the Triple Intervention in China, British attitudes questioned the continuation of its policy. On the other side of the world, the Triple Intervention also deeply humiliated Japan, which also realised that a strong ally in Europe was needed for the world to recognise its status as a power.

Related Topics:
Triple Intervention - China - Japan

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Finally, Britain's Splendid Isolation was ended by the 1902 Anglo-Japanese Alliance. Britain began to normalise its relations with European countries that it had disputes with, and the Entente Cordiale and the Anglo-Russian entente were signed in 1904 and 1907 respectively. The Alliance System was finally formed in the same year as the (Triple Alliance and Triple Entente), and it is considered an important factor in the outbreak of World War I.

Related Topics:
1902 - Anglo-Japanese Alliance - Entente Cordiale - Anglo-Russian entente - 1904 - 1907 - Triple Entente - World War I

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