France Part Of The Concert Of Europe example essay topic

'Defence of the Realm' was the all-important pre-occupation for Castlereagh, but not for Canning. Castlereagh was successful at defending the interests of Britain at the Vienna settlement in 1815. However, it was Canning between 1822-27 who maintained the 'Defence of the realm, but simultaneously built a stronger trading foundation and demonstrated that Britain was able to go it alone. The priority for Britain after the Napoleonic wars was to maintain a balance of power. Britain had no real interest to any land anywhere else. But, no single country should be allowed to dominate Europe either.

Therefore a balance of power would prevent war. War was dear and trade suffered. The biggest threat to the balance of power was France and to a lesser extent Russia. Consequently, it was thought that a strong central bloc would act as a counterpoise to perceived threats. Britain's biggest threat was France, as it had been France who had caused this horrific war on Europe.

It was France who had been the main military force on the continent, and was also in close proximity to Britain. France had also exported revolutionary ideas and thus, with the support of the other major powers a cordon sanitaire was placed around France. This was the introduction of a 'new, clean Europe,' with an independent Netherlands in the North, a German confederation was established to the east of France and Prussia received the Rhineland and Austria received most of northern Italy. With the cordon sanitaire suggested by Castlereagh, it is fair to say that 'Defence of the Realm' was a pre-occupation for him. Furthermore, it was agreed at the Vienna settlement that the Quadruple Alliance (Austria, Prussia, Russia and Britain) should meet on a regular basis to discuss issues concerning the settlement.

The Quadruple Alliance met at Aix la Chapelle in 1818 where the occupying army was removed and France was to become a member of the Concert of Europe. This alliance ensured to a larger extent, that France was kept in check and by removing the army and making France part of the Concert of Europe, kept France happy and in turn kept peace. Throughout Canning's reign was foreign secretary, peace was maintained, however, Canning also bettered Britain's trade industry as well as putting Britain back on the map as a strong country. This is demonstrated with Canning's dealing of the Spanish Colonies Revolt. Not only, did he get France to sign the Polignac Memorandum, which allowed him to negotiate trade deals with new, independent colonies, but used the British Navy to crush any further escalations. Therefore, Canning was able to keep France in check, which meant he was maintaining peace but more significantly, he marked the end of the congress system as he proved Britain was capable of going it alone.

The Portugal incident of 1826 demonstrated again that Canning had 'Defence of the Realm' at heart but also furthering and bettering trade routes as a priority. On December 9th 1826 British troops were sent in to protect young lady Donna Maria Gloria and Canning had triumphed in every way, as a liberal constitution had been preserved and Britain had acted independently again, and the independence of an important ally had been maintained. In conclusion, it is fair to say that both Castlereagh and Canning saw 'Defence of the Realm' as a priority. However, it was Castlereagh who was pre-occupied with establishing peace and this is shown by the moderate punishment that France was given. Now that peace had been established it was just up to Canning to maintain it.

He did this in the Spanish Colonies revolt, demonstrating that Britain was now back as a major power and consequently Canning was able to seek and further trade routes, which shows that bettering trade was just as much as a pre-occupation as Castlereagh's pre-occupation on 'Defence of the Realm'.