Britain And Russia example essay topic

Anglo-Russian: 1907. Agreement concerning Persia. OPENING STATEMENT: The document outlines the terms of the Entente as agreed by both Great Britain and Russia in on the 31st August 1907. This agreement took place, as it was designed to check German influence in the Middle East and to end Anglo-Russian mistrust. It also provided for the division of Persia into spheres of influence; that Tibet be maintained as a buffer state under a degree of Chinese control; that Afghanistan be recognised as of special British interest; and that Russia could control the Bosphorus and the Dardanelle's subject to other powers' agreement.

MAIN ARGUMENT: The document outlines the main agreements to the Entente, concerning the "Spheres of influence" in the Middle East. The Entente divided Iran into three zones, as outlined in the agreement. Russia took the Northern part, bounded on one side by her own border and the Caspian sea and on the other by an arbitrary line starting from Kas r-I Shirin, passing through Isfahan, Yezd and ending at a point on the Iran-Afghan frontier. The British zone paralleled the Persian Gulf and came into contact with the Indian empire on the east.

The neutral zone in the middle of the country was tacitly recognises as being open to British interests. What we must question, however, is why two countries that had many political arguments between them would sign an alliance between themselves. Britain desired for the agreement with Russia because they had concerns over the vulnerability of their Indian empire, as well as the fear of growing Russian influence in Persia. Britain and Russia had conflicted over the Middle East for years, it was inevitable that Britain would be concerned, by the late 1870's the Russian advance through Turkestan had made the Russian empire and Afghanistan almost border each other, therefore Afghanistan had now become an area of friction for the Russian empire and British India, this was evident in the 1878-9 Afghan war. Britain had many risks with the expansion of the Russian empire, whilst Russia had very few risks.

In theory if Russia had succeeded it would have been very rewarding for them, whereas for Britain it would have been another story, as Curzon said ' as long as we rule India, we are the greatest power in the world' the loss of India would have reduced Britain to the rank of a third rate power. There was a need for peace between the two countries, because this 'great game' between the two of them could have resulted in an Anglo-Russian war, which could have lost Britain India, or if Russia lost could have caused them a major set back and weakening their European interests. It was looking more inevitable that am Anglo-Russian war would take place, and what with the Russians expanding building of railways in Asia, it looked inevitable that Britain was set for defeat, especially as to defend India Britain would need a further 100,000 men to defend India, of which were not available, as they had already doubled their defence to 70,000 between 1884 and 1894. The only thing that stopped this war-taking place was Russia's war with Japan and Britain's alliance with Japan. In 1904, the Tsar was ready to discuss an entente with Britain, but this was put on hold when Britain was held responsible for Japan's rash attack on Russia.

In December 1905, the foreign secretary, Grey was anxious to renew the discussions with Russia, and in June 1906, negotiations began. Grey was eager for the entente, because he was concerned about the balance of power in Europe. Since Russia were weakened after their defeat by Japan, they had become equal if not weaker than Germany, he commented that ' an Entente between Russia, France and ourselves would be absolutely secure. If it is necessary to check Germany, it could then be done.

' However it has been questioned whether this was the truth, or Grey was just concerned and wanted to secure safety in India in order to protect England's Imperial position. Britain was out to protect itself with this Entente; it was now Russia's turn to decide what to do for themselves, they had to make a choice between their own imperial interests and European interest. The Tsar had already been tempted by a Russo-German alliance, but because of their situation and alliance with France they had to side with them, as they were defiantly in no position to try to influence France to join forces with Germany. Apart from financial assistance from France, if they stayed with France it would also strengthen themselves in European affairs.

After a year of negotiations the terms were set out, the ones we have before us in our document packs, the main terms dealt with Afghanistan, Tibet and Persia. Their main issue was Persia, which as we have already seen was divided into three before Germany intervened. However there are concerns with how much this actually held, as Grey accepted a rather weak formula which merely allowed Russia to recognise Britain's interest in maintaining the status quo in the Persian gulf, therefore they had only agreed to recognise it and not to accept it. CONCLUSION Overall, the Anglo-Russian Entente did improve relations between Britain and Russia, yet it lacked sincerity, unlike the Entente with France.

Russia constantly failed to honour the agreement on Persia. Britain got what it wanted out of the Entente, it protected India, and in doing so created the Triple Alliance between, Russia, France, and themselves, now European power was being equalled ad if Britain ever went to war with Germany, they would be equipped to cope, with the alliances, only France and Russia had the military forces to be able to fight Germany on land and Britain would do its bit in the sea. The 1907 convention was aimed at eliminating Russian influence in the territories immediately bordering India. After all the convention and the Entente served its purpose, it facilitated a closer relationship with Britain and Russia, and in the last remaining years kept peace in safeguarding India. Some may say, however that this was just another step closer to a world war, it created an entente between powers and some other countries regarded that As a threat, thus resulting in the triple entente against the triple alliance, which may have been very different had Russia been persuaded to side with Germany.