British foreign policy 1895-1902

2. British politicians at the time were anxious about Britain’s plight for a number of factors. Initially the Boer War had lucidly shown the almost worldwide abhor for Britain and her empire. The fact that France publicly condemned the actions of the British army was detrimental to the invincible and imperial image that Britain had built over the world. However Germany’s role w

The Boer war showed this to a certain extent. The reality was that although no one opposed Britain directly not one of the main powers came to her aid, thus disproving Goschen’s theory that Britain would not be “without allies if she needed them.” Furthermore the Kaiser’s telegram, the Boers using German manufactured weapons and condemnation by the French all showed the worldwide anti-British sentiment.

3. There is indeed a thesis and antithesis on the concept that was Britain’s policy at the turn of the century actually “splendid isolation”. The argument that “splendid isolations” was a policy rather than a fact is supported in a number of ways. Even though Britain had antagonism with most major European powers it still was the most powerful nation in the world and still controlled 20% of the world’s land. This domination is demonstrated in the Boer War as even though the increasingly resentful nations, such as France, did condemn the British, no nation opposed Britain militarily. In addition as navies were the pinnacle and pride of each country, Britain’s navy was the largest by far. This superiority was conveyed by the “two power standard” which meant Britain’s navy was always twice the size of its nearest rival. In comparison France’s navy was vastly deficient in resources and the Russian navy was infamous for its lack of organisation. Other navies such as the U.S and Japanese were inconsequential as at they were friendly powers. The German navy even though threatening in theory did not even actually exist at the time.

In addition there was evidence to suggest that Britain had autonomy over its alliances and even though in “splendid isolation” it could st

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