Concerns in the Balkans 1956-1902 Essay Example
History
Assess the reasons for British concerns in the Balkans and the Mediterranean in the period 1856-1902
In the years from 1856-1902, Britain had many concerns in the Balkans and the Mediterranean. For example Britain’s involvement in the Crimean War was for many reasons including maintaining the Balance of Power, The Ottoman Empire, supporting Constitutional states, Preventing Russophobia, Protecting imperial trade and Domestic Popularity. The most important reason Britain became involved in anything in either of the areas is the fact that their trade routes went through those areas and therefore Britain were concerned purely because their success in imperial trading could be affected because of what was happening in the Balkans and Mediterranean.
British concerns about the Balkans and the Mediterranean were inextricably linked to the need to protect Imperial trade throughout the period 1856-1902. Nearly everything that was implemented and acted upon in that area linked to the fact that Britain was always looking at their imperial picture. The main reason for Britain entering the Crimean War was to be able to protect their Trade Route to India, which they didn’t want Russia to threaten. The Congress of Paris in 1856 (the peace treaty suggested by Tsar Alexander 11) was made very harsh by Palmerston because he knew by enforcing harsh terms on Russia, the security of the Trade Route to India would be protected. India which was known as Britain’s ‘Jewel in the crown’ was essential to Britain in terms of Economic success and was Britain’s most lucrative colony in its Empire; if Russia had expanded westward into the Balkan area, they could easily have blocked a trade route and threatened Britain’s hold over India. Palmerston demanded at the Treaty of Paris that the Black Sea was demilitarised and later in 1972 Disraeli advocated this clause which indicates that the dominance over this sea was crucial in keeping the Trade Route accessible and secure. As well
Assess the reasons for British concerns in the Balkans and the Mediterranean in the period 1856-1902
In the years from 1856-1902, Britain had many concerns in the Balkans and the Mediterranean. For example Britain’s involvement in the Crimean War was for many reasons including maintaining the Balance of Power, The Ottoman Empire, supporting Constitutional states, Preventing Russophobia, Protecting imperial trade and Domestic Popularity. The most important reason Britain became involved in anything in either of the areas is the fact that their trade routes went through those areas and therefore Britain were concerned purely because their success in imperial trading could be affected because of what was happening in the Balkans and Mediterranean.
British concerns about the Balkans and the Mediterranean were inextricably linked to the need to protect Imperial trade throughout the period 1856-1902. Nearly everything that was implemented and acted upon in that area linked to the fact that Britain was always looking at their imperial picture. The main reason for Britain entering the Crimean War was to be able to protect their Trade Route to India, which they didn’t want Russia to threaten. The Congress of Paris in 1856 (the peace treaty suggested by Tsar Alexander 11) was made very harsh by Palmerston because he knew by enforcing harsh terms on Russia, the security of the Trade Route to India would be protected. India which was known as Britain’s ‘Jewel in the crown’ was essential to Britain in terms of Economic success and was Britain’s most lucrative colony in its Empire; if Russia had expanded westward into the Balkan area, they could easily have blocked a trade route and threatened Britain’s hold over India. Palmerston demanded at the Treaty of Paris that the Black Sea was demilitarised and later in 1972 Disraeli advocated this clause which indicates that the dominance over this sea was crucial in keeping the Trade Route accessible and secure. As well