Britain And France example essay topic

French Foreign Policy 1870-1914 In the immediate aftermath of the Franco-Prussian war, France had signed the Treaty of Frankfurt. It angered many French men, and led to a deep hatred of Germans and a desire for revenge. As Thiers said 'Think of it always, speak of it never'. Although the 5 billion Franc indemnity was cleared quickly the burden of Alsace-Lorraine remained. France also wanted to re-establish herself as a great power. Nonetheless, French politicians realised they could never overcome Germany on their own.

Potential allies were not forthcoming and were suspicious of the republican regime. At the same time, Bismarck's complicated web of alliances ensured France was kept isolated. Seeking compensation and encouraged to do so by Bismarck, French foreign policy concentrated on the acquisition of colonies. Jules Ferry particularly prompted the 'expansive urge' of the 1880's. They expanded their empire to include areas such as Algeria, Tub is, Cochin China, Madagascar and Senegal. Unfortunately, much of the conquered territory was economically worthless, especially the sand mass of the Sahara.

France was not alone in attempts to conquer North Africa. Italy and Britain had strong interests in the area and there was constant friction over demarcation lines. The French foreign minister, Declasse was aware that France could not progress if she was at loggerheads with Italy and Britain. He realised that the European theatre was far more important than the African one.

In the Fashoda incident, he decided to withdraw Captain Marchand's expeditionary force and so effectively abandoned Egypt to the British. By the mid 1880's the carefully constructed Bismarckian system of alliances was in ruins. William II allowed the reinsurance treaty to lapse with Russia. Faced with the obvious hardening of the German-Austrian alliance, France was in need of an ally and Russia became more responsive to her overtures of Friendship. When German banks were forbidden to lend money to Russia, France was happy to take the place of the Berlin Bourse and financed Witte's policy of industrialisation. In 1888, Russia borrowed 500 million Francs.

By 1891, Russian stock was in great demand on the French market. The advantage of a Franco-Russian alliance was that it gave France greater security by replying to German aggression with the threat of a two-front war. After two years of negotiations, a military convention was signed between the two powers and in 1894 the Franco-Russian alliance was announced. Both sides promised to aid each other if attacked by the Triple Alliance. A secret understanding with Italy soon followed this diplomatic success. Italy promised that she would not join in any aggressive action against France, in return for a free hand in Tripoli.

Over these years relations with Britain remained slightly strained due to pro-Boer sentiments within France. However mutual fears over Germany brought them closer. Britain was becoming increasingly worried about German naval and industrial rivalry and soon jettisoned its policy of splendid isolation. An accord between the two countries was helped by a visit by Edward VII to Paris in 1903. Two months later, President Lou bet and Declasse visited London.

Prolonged discussions between eh two countries resulted in the signing of the Entente Cordiale in April 1904. This was not a military alliance to begin, it cleared away outstanding differences nad obstacles to Anglo-French co-operation. France agreed not to obstruct British action in Egypt, while Britain recognised France's interests in Morocco. The agreement opened the way for a military alliance between the two old enemies in the future. The Moroccan crises on 1905 and 1911 encouraged the countries to embark on a series of secret military negotiations in the case of war with Germany.

The Algeciras Conference in 1906 was a complete rebuff to Germany. Mounting international tension and the arms race necessitated the increase of the period of conscription from two to three years. The Triple Entente completed the division of Europe into two camps for WWI. In the run up to 1914 two points deeply concerned the French.

They knew that of they did not come to the aid of their Russian ally, Russia would be crushed, leaving France in a precarious position. If Germany was to be baulked, Britain and France would have to join with Russia. In the lead up to 1914, lack of continuity in government meant that the empire did not have a well thought out policy and resources were often waster, neglected or abused.