Impact of the French Revolution on foreign policy

• Constitutional monarchy and 1688:

  • constitutional monarchy -> where power is shared and the government is responsible as well as the monarch
  • established in Britain by the glorious revolution in 1688
  • joint monarchs established in parliament
• Lord Grenville (1759 - 1834)

  • Pitts cousin and foreign secretary from 1791-1801
  • initially against war
  • part of the whig opposition after Pitts death and served briefly as pm
  • against blue water strategy
• Britain went to war with revolutionary France in February 1793. But, before the revolution in France they had supported the American war for independence. Initially, Pitt didn't see revolution in France to be concerning as the French King was seen as a weak leader, if the revolution ended in a constitutional monarchy.
• When the Bastille was stormed, Pitt was moved to pity by not concern. Pitt wanted to maintain peace. But the revolution became more radical, and the French king lost power and control.
• April 1792 -> France went to war against Prussia and Austria. Monarchy in France replaced in september meaning France was republic
• The Ottoman Turks:

  • from the capital of Constantinople the sultans ruled a large area -> involved south east europe
  • empire in decline
  • Russian rulers wanted to expand to gain vital access to warm water ports
  • Britain and Austria feared for Russian expansion
• Concerns about Russian expansion. A war against the Ottoman empire, meant that Russia took over most of lower Danube. Russia had very large forces. Russian expansion to the Black Sea. Fear of Russia taking over key trading areas. Britain moved 36 ships to the Baltic in a show of strength but Pitt backed down
• Fear of Russian Expansion and the unwillingness to intervene in the French Revolution:

  • Pitt concerned about the costs of war and repeat of the American War
  • concern about internal security => growing ideas of radicalism
  • France didn't break any treaty obligations
  • when France declared war on Russia and Prussia -> their armies were bigger than Britains
  • played to Britains advantage during Nootka Sound
  • secured balance of power in europe
• Frances invasion of occupation of Belgium together with its support of revolutionary activity in Europe -> made Britains involvement more likely. Triggered by the execution of Louis XVI -> pitt got involved.
• Lord Nelson 1758 - 1805:

  • rose quickly through the ranks
  • daring and independent
  • lost an arm and an eye in conflict
  • victory at Aboukir Bay in 1798 when he sank the French fleet -> went against commands
  • died at the battle of trafalgar