Foreign Policy:
Principles of British Foreign Policy 1783-1914:
1. Protect British Colonial Interests
2. Defend British trade and commercial interests
3. Preserve the balance of power in Europe
4. Defend Britain and its interests by deploying its naval strength
5. Keep the war ‘over there’ (i.e. in continental Europe)
If war breaks out, Britain should try to fight by supporting its allies with its navy, and its
financial and industrial strength
Britain in 1873:
Lost America as a colony
American war had involved fighting France
Other European powers turned against Britain over her policy of searching neutral ships to
prevent them trading with France
o Russia, Denmark and Sweden formed league of Armed Neutrality against Britain in 1780
o Prussia, Austria, Netherlands, Naples and Ottoman Empire joined in 1782
o France seemed strong with alliances with Spain (family), Austria and on good terms with
Russia
Britain was isolated in Europe: ‘finished’ as a power?
Concern over the Netherlands:
Historic trading partner
Important route via River Scheldt into Europe
Royal Connections (William of Orange -> William III)
Under threat from ‘Patriot’ party who were pro-French/anti English and opposed to stadholder
(leader) Willem V (House of Orange)
Could France come to dominate the Netherlands? Action needed
o Signed trading agreement with United Provinces in 1785
o Signed Eden treaty with France 1786
o Financial support to Orange supporters against the Patriots
o 1788 – Triple Alliance with Prussia, United Provinces and Great Britain to defend against
French expansion
Britain was no longer isolated and improved trading position
Pitt’s Achievements:
Foreign Policy Aim Why was it important? Was it achieved? Explain
Ending Isolation In order to encourage world trade Yes
Preventing a Quadruple Alliance Reduces isolation Yes
(Fr, Au, Sp, Ru)
Promoting Trade Through trade Pitt is able to stay on good terms with Yes
France
Ensuring the French did not To ensure balance of power No, still at risk
control the Netherlands
Following the loss of America:
America was seen as a threat to Britain’ commercial supremacy
, Navigation Acts were maintained with vigour
o Imported and exported goods between Britain and the United States had to be
transported in British ships
o In 1783, American shipping was excluded from the West Indian Islands
o Trade with America for cheaper meat and fish via French and Spanish islands was made
illegal in 1787-88. This was done to protect British farmers and fishermen
Although Britain had lost political control in America, it was able to retain commercial
domination there by preventing America from challenging its merchant shipping
By 1787, British exports to America had returned to the level achieved in the early 1770s
Ending Isolation:
Signed the Eden Treaty with France (1786)
Commercial considerations played a part in Britain’s challenge to French expansion into the Low
Countries. Britain also wanted to stop France from using Dutch overseas bases like Cape Town.
Britain’s isolation in Europe was emphasises by the French alliance with the Dutch in 1785,
which reduced the powers of the pro-English House of Orange
When the Prussians successfully invaded Holland in 1787, Orange fortunes were revived. This
was followed by the Triple Alliance between Prussia, the United Provinces (the Netherlands) and
Britain, which ended Britain’s diplomatic isolationism. This gave Britain a diplomatic standing in
Europe it had lacked since the Seven Years War
Diplomatic Incidents 1789-93:
Nootka Sound, off Vancouver Island, Western Canada
What was it?
Spain wanted continued presence in North America
July 1789: the commander of a Spanish warship took possession of Nootka Sound – where a
small British settlement had been established
What happened?
Took eight months for the news to reach Britain – government took decisive action and told
Spaniards that British would assert its “complete right . . . to visit for the purposes of trade, or to
make a settlement in the district”. It made it clear Pitt would go to war.
Spain had to back down – no support from France, and pay compensation
Consequences:
Pitt vindicated. Added to his prestige and authority
The Ochakov Crisis:
What was it?
Dispute with Russia
Ochakov was a fortress on the northern shore of the Black Sea. Russia captured it after a war
with Turks – in 1788
What Happened?
Carmarthen (Duke of Leeds / Foreign Secretary) argued that Triple Alliance should be invoked to
put pressure on Russia. Concerned about Balance of Power in Eastern Europe
March 1791 – Catherine the Great presented with an ultimatum – demanded Ochakov should be
returned to the Turks. Parliamentary support was not as strong for this as Nootka Sound
By April 1791 Pitt backed down
Consequences:
Importance of Ochakov was questioned – as was Pitt’s judgement
At the height of this crisis Pitt considered resignation
Assessment of Foreign Policies 1789-1793:
Principles of British Foreign Policy 1783-1914:
1. Protect British Colonial Interests
2. Defend British trade and commercial interests
3. Preserve the balance of power in Europe
4. Defend Britain and its interests by deploying its naval strength
5. Keep the war ‘over there’ (i.e. in continental Europe)
If war breaks out, Britain should try to fight by supporting its allies with its navy, and its
financial and industrial strength
Britain in 1873:
Lost America as a colony
American war had involved fighting France
Other European powers turned against Britain over her policy of searching neutral ships to
prevent them trading with France
o Russia, Denmark and Sweden formed league of Armed Neutrality against Britain in 1780
o Prussia, Austria, Netherlands, Naples and Ottoman Empire joined in 1782
o France seemed strong with alliances with Spain (family), Austria and on good terms with
Russia
Britain was isolated in Europe: ‘finished’ as a power?
Concern over the Netherlands:
Historic trading partner
Important route via River Scheldt into Europe
Royal Connections (William of Orange -> William III)
Under threat from ‘Patriot’ party who were pro-French/anti English and opposed to stadholder
(leader) Willem V (House of Orange)
Could France come to dominate the Netherlands? Action needed
o Signed trading agreement with United Provinces in 1785
o Signed Eden treaty with France 1786
o Financial support to Orange supporters against the Patriots
o 1788 – Triple Alliance with Prussia, United Provinces and Great Britain to defend against
French expansion
Britain was no longer isolated and improved trading position
Pitt’s Achievements:
Foreign Policy Aim Why was it important? Was it achieved? Explain
Ending Isolation In order to encourage world trade Yes
Preventing a Quadruple Alliance Reduces isolation Yes
(Fr, Au, Sp, Ru)
Promoting Trade Through trade Pitt is able to stay on good terms with Yes
France
Ensuring the French did not To ensure balance of power No, still at risk
control the Netherlands
Following the loss of America:
America was seen as a threat to Britain’ commercial supremacy
, Navigation Acts were maintained with vigour
o Imported and exported goods between Britain and the United States had to be
transported in British ships
o In 1783, American shipping was excluded from the West Indian Islands
o Trade with America for cheaper meat and fish via French and Spanish islands was made
illegal in 1787-88. This was done to protect British farmers and fishermen
Although Britain had lost political control in America, it was able to retain commercial
domination there by preventing America from challenging its merchant shipping
By 1787, British exports to America had returned to the level achieved in the early 1770s
Ending Isolation:
Signed the Eden Treaty with France (1786)
Commercial considerations played a part in Britain’s challenge to French expansion into the Low
Countries. Britain also wanted to stop France from using Dutch overseas bases like Cape Town.
Britain’s isolation in Europe was emphasises by the French alliance with the Dutch in 1785,
which reduced the powers of the pro-English House of Orange
When the Prussians successfully invaded Holland in 1787, Orange fortunes were revived. This
was followed by the Triple Alliance between Prussia, the United Provinces (the Netherlands) and
Britain, which ended Britain’s diplomatic isolationism. This gave Britain a diplomatic standing in
Europe it had lacked since the Seven Years War
Diplomatic Incidents 1789-93:
Nootka Sound, off Vancouver Island, Western Canada
What was it?
Spain wanted continued presence in North America
July 1789: the commander of a Spanish warship took possession of Nootka Sound – where a
small British settlement had been established
What happened?
Took eight months for the news to reach Britain – government took decisive action and told
Spaniards that British would assert its “complete right . . . to visit for the purposes of trade, or to
make a settlement in the district”. It made it clear Pitt would go to war.
Spain had to back down – no support from France, and pay compensation
Consequences:
Pitt vindicated. Added to his prestige and authority
The Ochakov Crisis:
What was it?
Dispute with Russia
Ochakov was a fortress on the northern shore of the Black Sea. Russia captured it after a war
with Turks – in 1788
What Happened?
Carmarthen (Duke of Leeds / Foreign Secretary) argued that Triple Alliance should be invoked to
put pressure on Russia. Concerned about Balance of Power in Eastern Europe
March 1791 – Catherine the Great presented with an ultimatum – demanded Ochakov should be
returned to the Turks. Parliamentary support was not as strong for this as Nootka Sound
By April 1791 Pitt backed down
Consequences:
Importance of Ochakov was questioned – as was Pitt’s judgement
At the height of this crisis Pitt considered resignation
Assessment of Foreign Policies 1789-1793:
