Lesson 3 AS History The Entente Cordial and other key factors

Learning Objectives To understand how to write an ‘explain’ question on the Anglo-Japanese alliance. To understand why the Entente Cordiale was agreed in 1904.

FASHODA France wanted a line of territory from the West to East of Africa. Britain wanted a stretch of land from Egypt to the Cape. -The central point of this dispute was in the unoccupied areas in the upper waters of the Nile. It was almost a race to get there. -Kitchener (of later Secretary of State for War fame!) was in command of the British (mainly Egyptian) army in the area. -He launched an attack on the Sudan and by 2 September 1898, it had been conquered. -It had been a close run thing. News reached Kitchener that a small French force had trekked across central Africa and was near the town of Fashoda.

FASHODA Kitchener went to Fashoda and began negotiations with the French commander, Captain Marchand. -Both commanders showed restraint and left it to the diplomats to negotiate. -The French were massively outnumbered (Kitchener said ‘we are the stronger’), relied on the British-Egyptian telegraph service for their communications, and couldn’t get any support from other European Powers. -The British claimed the Sudan by right of conquest. -The French had to accept the situation. -In March 1899, a boundary was drawn between the Nile and Congo basins between the two spheres of influence. -As a show of good faith, the British renamed Fashoda, Kodok.

Key points on the road to war Watch each clip and make notes Weltpolitik Britain and Splendid IsolationSplendid Isolation The Entente CordialeEntente Cordiale Anglo Japanese AllianceJapanese Alliance Anglo Russian AllianceRussian Alliance

Explain why Britain signed the Anglo- Japanese alliance in Splendid Isolation needed to be adapted due to foreign competitors. Japan, Russia, France and Germany were all potential threats. Russia and Japan particularly had an interest in China. Forming this alliance was a move away from SI. To protect the Empire Russia were a threat to British interests in China, Persia and the Mediterranean. Allying with Japan would act as a deterrent to them in the Far East. To protect trading routes (economics ) Britain had an economic interest in China and wanted to keep the ‘open door’ policy that existed there (this allowed free trade to occur). Japan also wanted to keep this policy in existence. Russia’s expansionist aims threatened this. To ally an enemy and avoid a war. Russia and Germany had both been approached by Britain to agree an understanding but these attempts had failed. Allying with Japan, a potential rival, would safeguard British interests. As a defensive alliance, it could also prove beneficial To deter other enemies Russia (particularly) and Germany would be deterred from expansion in the Far East and India (Russia). Naval considerations. A far Eastern ally would strengthen British naval power, which was spread too thinly. (German naval laws 1898 and 1900; two power standard difficult to maintain and the Japanese navy would allow this to be possible). It would enable Britain to maintain its fleet in Europe. What was it?: An agreement to intervene to assist the other country if two or more countries attacked. Extended in 1905 for ten more years and it changed to intervention if only one country attacked.

Why did the Entente Cordiale happen? The fact it was an entente and not an alliance. After signing of Anglo- Japanese alliance it meant that it was unlikely that France and Britain would join the differing sides. France had an alliance with Russia (formed in 1894). Giving Morocco to France meant the Gibraltar Straits were secure. Guaranteed Britain’s influence in Egypt and Sudan. Thus safeguarding the Suez Canal. Other factors benefitted Britain too. Such as the granting of fishing rights in Newfoundland by the French. The changing relationship between France and Britain since Fashoda. The role of Edward VII in winning over French public opinion The threat of Germany. Naval building programme and Boer War.