Problems of British Policy in China at the End of the 19th Century

• Authors: Aleš Skřivan, Sr. , Aleš Skřivan, Jr.
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Of all foreign subjects operating in China, over the whole of the 19th century Great Britain had the most extensive economic interests, but during the 1890s these were put under serious threat. This was a result of the operation of a number of factors — the now markedly unfavourable effect of the policy of “Splendid Isolation” practised by London over the whole of the 19th century, changes to Britain’s position in the world economy, the activities of other Great Powers in China, in particular Russia, Germany and France, the Sino‑Japanese War in 1894–1895 and the generally unstable situation in China. The objective of this study is to present and evaluate how British policy contended with the new situation in China, or what options it had in this regard. In this respect, we have evaluated in particular the stance of both main parties, the difference in opinion between figures who had a deciding influence on determining the basic features of policy development towards China, the activities of institutions which significantly influenced this development, and given a presentation of the profiles and roles of diplomats who headed the British legation in Peking at the time.

Keywords

EN

Great Britain; China; Splendid Isolation; British trade; Great Powers’ Interests in China; British Companies in China; Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs Service; China Association; Leading Statesmen’ Attitude; British Diplomats in China

Discipline

• HISTORY: HISTORY

• Publisher: Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Arts, Czech Republic
• Journal: Prague Papers on the History of International Relations
• Year: 2014
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 72-84

Contributors

author

Aleš Skřivan, Sr.

• Institute of World History, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague Nám. J. Palacha 2, 116 38 Prague, Czech Republic Departement of Historical Sciences, Faculty of Philosophy and Arts, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen Tylova 18, 301 24, Plzeň, Czech Republic

author

Aleš Skřivan, Jr.

• Department of Economic History, Faculty of Economics, University of Economics, Prague W. Churchill Sq. 4, 130 67 Prague, Czech Republic Departement of Historical Sciences, Faculty of Philosophy and Arts, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen