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Example research essay topic: Foreign Secretary British Foreign - 1,072 words

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Castlereagh and Canning were foreign secretaries who both unashamedly kept British interests at the forefront of their actions. The two men sought to defend Britains position in Europe and her trading interests throughout the world. However, they disagreed over the methods by which these goals would be achieved. Castlereagh was a friend of established autocratic regimes who, in pursuit of his anti-liberal objectives, involved Britain in close alliances with the monarchs of Europe. Canning, though a staunch anti-reformer at home, was a supporter of liberal and national movements abroad, reverted to the normal peacetime tradition of keeping Europe and its rival powers, at arms length. These differences can be attributed to contrasting personalities and also to the circumstances and environment in which the two men respectively served.

On the major issues that Castlereagh and then later Canning had to tackle, they ultimately followed the same policies. It is true that Canning was more inclined with liberalism then Castlereagh, but both men were able to put aside their personal preferences to do what was in Britains best interests. In Spain for example, there was a revolution against King Ferdinand who had ruled his people in a ruthless and arbitrary manner. Both men worked on the state paper of 1820, although Castlereagh is largely credited for it.

It stated that the congress system was not designed to intervene in the internal affairs of Europe's nations. However, Britain was concerned that France might seek a different approach. Should French backing be successful then Spain might try to reclaim her former colonies in Latin America, with whom Britain had acquired close commercial links. Canning tried to prevent French intervention by negotiating the Polignac Memorandum, which stated that French intervention in Spain would not be extended to her colonies.

Therefore it is clear that both men tried to avoid French or allied intervention in Spain. Castlereagh and Canning tried to detach the issue of Latin America from the Spanish question and work for their independence and recognition. It was Castlereagh who reopened diplomatic channels with America, enabling Canning to later negotiate with America over the Spanish colonies. However, his efforts were unsuccessful with the Monroe Doctrine stating that Americans were no longer open to European colonisation.

Following this Canning recognised the governments of Mexico, Argentina and Columbia. He called the New World into existence to redress the balance of the old. A primary concern to both British foreign secretaries was the stability of Europe. Castlereagh refereed to this as a just equilibrium and it was in this spirit that the Treaty of Vienna was created. The major threats to Britain came from France and Russia.

As mentioned earlier both men worked to prevent French expansion into Spain. While in 1821 problems in Greece threatened to draw Russia into the European equation. The Greeks rose in revolt against Turkish rule and wanted independence. Castlereagh and Canning both sympathized with the Greeks but did not want to undermine Turkey because of her strategic position in relation with Russia.

Castlereagh refused to attend the congress of Laibach because intervention was not in Britains interests. When Canning became foreign secretary he continued along these lines but used bilateral diplomacy to achieve his goal. Canning deployed Wellington to St Petersburg to meet with the Tsar and agreed on a protocol whereby Greece would become an autonomous state but remain under Turkish suzerainty. At the Treaty of London in 1827 France agreed to reinforce what had been agreed in Russia. Castlereagh and Canning also agreed that war was inevitable in Portugal. Although the troubles in Portugal did not surface until 1824, Castlereagh's concern with Spain was due to its potential expansion into Portugal.

Castlereagh felt it his duty to uphold Britains historically close links with Portugal. Canning was forced to deploy 5000 troops in December 1826 to defend King John. The reason people were unhappy with King John was because he was a constitutionalist and favoured a parliamentary system. This is in direct contrast to Spain where Castlereagh and Canning sought to defend an autocratic regime with no liberal tendencies. This evidence highlights that the policies of Castlereagh and Canning were fairly consistent and their own personal principles were neglected when Britains position was threatened. The major difference then between Castlereagh and Canning is in their methodology.

Castlereagh's congress diplomacy attracted widespread criticism not only in the press, but also in the cabinet, where none spoke more sharply than Canning. Canning manifested that Britain must detach herself from general systems and seek alliances which best suited specific circumstances. Take the issues over France for example. As a result of the Vienna settlement France had endured a military occupation for three years until it had paid reparations to the allies. At the congress of Aix la Chappelle the representatives from the European powers, including Castlereagh met to discuss the situation. Paradoxically when Canning was concerned with French intervention in Spain he met with the French ambassador in London, together they signed a treaty to resolve the situation.

Therefore Castlereagh and Canning had differing theories about how best to discuss problems. Canning has been referred to as more open then Castlereagh. These contrasting approaches appear to have become most apparent during sessions in Parliament. Castlereagh was very reluctant to discuss his policies with his colleagues, while Canning released lengthy extracts from documents to the press. He was the first foreign secretary to realise that public support would strengthen his influence and authority abroad. Canning was an accomplished speaker and so was perhaps more confident than Castlereagh in dealing with individuals.

Castlereagh and Canning have left important legacies that have been adopted by successive British foreign ministers. Castlereagh and Canning can be refereed to as pioneers with new approaches to how foreign policy should be conducted. Castlereagh's congress diplomacy brought together leaders to discuss problems and seek solutions, however this was based upon personal relationships that had been developed during the Napeolonic war. Canning was not xenophobic, he simply did not possess these contacts. He therefore turned to individual rulers on specific issues which circumstances dictated. Canning also tried to popularity politics, however his colleagues in the cabinet resented this because it was potentially dangerous to promoting revolution.

Castlereagh also received criticism, none more so then from Canning, climaxing with their infamous duel in 1809. It would thus seem that the two men have a lot more in common then twentieth century historians had originally believed.


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Research essay sample on Foreign Secretary British Foreign

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