Entente Imperial: British and French Power in the Age of Empire

During the 19th century, Britain and France worked together to exert unprecedented influence throughout the world, going to war in Russia and China, establishing the first free-trade treaty, and initiating the Suez Canals construction. However, from 1860 until 1904, the two nations drifted apart, leading to a decline in British influence in Europe and France. By the twentieth century, Britain and France were compelled to work together in the face of the growing military threat of Germany, demonstrating that British influence was contingent on its ability to cooperate with its great rival.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

The complex and multifaceted relationship between Britain and Europe, as well as its position in the global landscape, is deeply rooted in its imperial history. The nineteenth century is often portrayed as a time when Britain, thanks to its unparalleled industry and expansive empire, exerted unparalleled global dominance, operating independently of European collaboration. However, this book challenges this notion by delving into the intricate collaboration between Britain and France between 1848 and 1914. Entente Imperial offers a fresh perspective on Britain's role in the world during the age of empire.

In the 1850s, at the height of British power, the author highlights how Britain, alongside its sole European rival, France, exerted unprecedented influence on a global scale. Together, France and Britain engaged in wars in Russia and China, signed the world's first free-trade treaty, established common standards for trade and the arts, and initiated the construction of the Suez Canals. This period marked a profound moment of Anglo-French integration and European hegemony. However, from 1860 to 1904, the two nations gradually drifted apart, leading to a decline in British influence in Europe and a corresponding decline in France's global standing.

As a result of this growing isolation, Britain's ability to project power and influence in the world was significantly impacted. Similarly, France faced challenges in maintaining its position as a major player on the international stage. By the twentieth century, the growing military threat posed by Germany prompted Britain and France to work together, ultimately leading to the outbreak of World War I.

Despite its world-leading industry and colossal empire, British influence was contingent on its ability to cooperate with its great rival. This book serves as a radical revision of Britain's imperial history, particularly at a time when Britain's place in the modern world is more uncertain than ever. By examining the collaboration between Britain and France, Entente Imperial sheds light on the complex dynamics that shaped the geopolitical landscape of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context in which Britain's actions and decisions occurred, as well as the impact they had on the broader European and global communities.

Weight: 538g
Dimension: 166 x 241 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398102897