How Was British Colonial Policy Affected by International Relations?

Preferred ‘splendid isolation’ after Napeolonic Wars, relying on status of army however challenged with alliances of Germany and Austria-Hungary in 1870 and Italy in 1882.
Britain could no longer maintain ‘two power standard’ where it matched two strongest naval powers, instead settling for 60% margin of Germany. Talks of Dominion fleet at 1909 Imperial Conference. Imperial Conference of 1911 communicated vulnerability of Dominions without British maritime supremacy. South African government promised to commit troops in war.
British industrial power waning in 1900s and maintaining dominance amongst European powers became difficult → change of naval approaches to reliance on France for Egypt and Mediterranean interests and British interests towards mainland Europe.

Border problems with French in West Africa. Nigeria agreed upon in 1898 as Lord Salisbury said interests of Royal Niger Company were in interest of Britain.
Tried claiming Sudan in 1896. Fashoda Incident of 1898 – tension yet resolved peacefully and Sudan recognised as British.
Signed a military agreement with Russia in 1892 followed by alliance in 1894. Signed Entente Cordiale in 1904 with British but didn’t provide much security. Triple Entente signed between Britain, Russia and France in 1907.
Secret military conversations about Mediterranean and Middle East took place since 1905.
Strength of British support tested in 1905 with Moroccan crises when Kaiser visited in 1905 threatening French interests, weeks of discussions resulting in British siding with French in Algeciras Conference. Kaiser sent warship to port of Agadir to ‘prevent French invasion’ in 1911 and British prepared royal navy for war. Kaiser gave way and sent Panther home.

Supported anti-British sentiments in Egypt by funding national parties, supported Boers in Boer War by sending telegram to Transvaal and supplied them with weapons after Jameson raid in 1897, financed railway construction from Constantinople to Baghdad forming warm relations with Ottoman Empire → seen as provocative in trying to establish foot in trade markets in India and counter Britain’s dominance of High Seas.
Spheres of influence organised between two in Eastern Africa, 1890. Uganda recognised as British and Upper Nile recognised as British.
Clashes of 1905 and 1911 regarding Morocco → Germany questioned French interests in Morocco in 1905 and British sided with French, Germany sent Panther ship to prevent French invasion in 1911 and British prepared Royal Navy for war.
German invasion of Belgium, who was neutral and Britain vowed to protect, led to ultimatum which Germany refused to respond to → World War I.

Constant tensions over Afghanistan. Treaty of Gandamak in 1879 established British foreign policy over Afghanistan. Conflict between Russia and Britain known as ‘The Great Game’
Russian railway to Tashkent (close to Afghanistan) caused concern for British. Movement of troops near Afghanistan in 1900 when Britain was stretched by Boer War led to concerns. Threats near Mediterranean near Toulon and near Suez Canal →

Russian defeat in war with Japan in 1905 led to Triple Entente in 1907.