How successful was Canning’s foreign policy?
Level
A Level
Year Examined
2020
Topic
Britain 1783-1853
👑Complete Model Essay
How successful was Canning’s foreign policy?
How Successful Was Canning’s Foreign Policy?
George Canning, Foreign Secretary from 1822 to 1827, was a key figure in British foreign policy during a period of significant change and upheaval. He pursued a policy of “constructive neutrality,” advocating for British interests while seeking to maintain a balance of power in Europe. This essay will assess the success of Canning’s foreign policy, examining both its achievements and its limitations.
Canning’s Successes
Canning’s foreign policy can be considered successful in several key areas. Firstly, his intervention in Portugal in 1823 and 1826 was instrumental in securing a liberal constitution and preventing Spanish intervention. This intervention demonstrated Canning’s commitment to promoting liberal values and British interests in the Iberian Peninsula. By supporting the Portuguese liberals, Canning also prevented the spread of Spanish absolutism and ensured the stability of the region.
Furthermore, Canning’s intervention in the Greek War of Independence was crucial in checking Russian ambitions in the region. In 1827, Canning, along with Russia and France, signed the Treaty of London, which led to the British navy’s decisive victory at the Battle of Navarino. This intervention demonstrated the strength of the British navy and prevented Russia from establishing control over the Eastern Mediterranean.
Canning also sought to improve relations with the newly independent South American states and the United States. His policy of recognizing these states' independence, a policy opposed by Metternich, demonstrated Britain’s flexibility and willingness to adapt to changing global circumstances. This stance not only fostered trade relations with these new republics but also contributed to a more stable and prosperous Western Hemisphere.
Canning was also adept at explaining his policies to the public. He understood the importance of public opinion and used the press to garner support for his foreign policy agenda. This helped to ensure that his policies were broadly accepted by the British people.
Canning’s Failures
Despite his successes, Canning’s foreign policy also had its weaknesses. Notably, he failed to prevent French intervention in Spain in 1823. The French invasion, aimed at restoring the Spanish monarchy, was a setback for liberal forces in Europe and undermined Canning’s commitment to promoting constitutionalism. This failure ultimately led to a decline in Spain’s influence and instability in the Iberian Peninsula.
Canning’s intervention in Greece, while successful in checking Russian ambitions, also had unintended consequences. The independence of Greece weakened Turkey as a buffer against Russian expansion, potentially leading to greater instability in the Balkans. This was a concern even for Canning, who had argued against full Greek independence.
Moreover, Canning’s foreign policy did not fully succeed in maintaining the Congress System established at the Congress of Vienna. This system, which aimed to preserve the balance of power in Europe, was inherently fragile and increasingly challenged by the rise of nationalism and liberalism. Canning’s independent actions, while reflecting his commitment to British interests, also contributed to the weakening of the Concert of Europe. This was particularly evident in his deteriorating relationship with Austria, which had a significant impact on the balance of power in Europe.
Conclusion
Canning’s foreign policy was a complex and multifaceted endeavour. While his interventions in Portugal and Greece demonstrated his commitment to promoting liberal values and British interests, his failure to prevent French intervention in Spain and the unintended consequences of Greek independence highlighted the limitations of his policies. Ultimately, Canning’s foreign policy was a mixed bag of successes and failures. He successfully achieved some of his objectives, but his legacy is also marked by a failure to fully maintain the balance of power in Europe and to prevent the spread of instability across the continent. He was a significant figure in British foreign policy, but his actions did not always produce the desired results, particularly in the long term.
Note: History Study Pack Required
Score Big with Perfectly Structured History Essays!
Prepare effortlessly for your A/AS/O-Level exams with our comprehensive...
History Study Pack.
✅ 1200+ Model Essays: Master your essay writing with expertly crafted answers to past paper questions.
✅ Exam Boards Covered: Tailored materials for AQA, Cambridge, and OCR exams.
🍃 Free Essay Plan
Canning’s Foreign Policy: A Success or a Failure?
This essay will explore the successes and failures of George Canning's foreign policy, which spanned from 1822 to 1827. His time as Foreign Secretary was marked by a period of significant change in Europe, with the rise of new powers and the decline of old empires. Canning aimed to preserve Britain's interests and influence in a changing world, but his policies were controversial and debated even in his own time.
Arguments for Success
1. Intervention in Portugal: Canning's intervention in Portugal in 1823 and 1826 was successful in preventing a Spanish invasion and securing a liberal constitution for the country. This demonstrated Britain's commitment to liberal principles and helped to safeguard its interests in the Iberian Peninsula.
2. Checking Russian Ambitions in Greece: Canning’s support for Greek independence against the Ottoman Empire was another success. This was a crucial intervention that aimed to prevent Russia from gaining further control in the Eastern Mediterranean. This preserved the balance of power in Europe and demonstrated Britain’s willingness to stand up to Russian expansionism.
3. The Strength of the British Navy: A key factor in Canning’s success was the strength of the British Navy. This was evident in both Portugal and Greece, where the Royal Navy effectively deterred foreign intervention and supported British interests. The navy was a crucial tool in Canning's foreign policy, allowing him to project British power and influence around the world.
4. Improved Relations with South American States and the USA: Canning's policy towards the newly independent South American states was generally successful. He recognized their independence and established diplomatic relations, which improved relations with the new republics and the United States. This served to strengthen British trade and influence in the Americas.
5. Working with Metternich: While Canning was critical of Metternich's conservative policies, he was able to work with him to maintain a degree of stability in Europe. He was not beholden to Metternich's ideas, but instead sought to balance British interests with those of other European powers.
6. Public Support: Canning was successful in explaining his policies to the British public. He was a skilled orator and effectively used the press to garner support for his interventions. This public support was crucial in providing him with the political backing he needed to pursue his ambitious foreign policy objectives.
Arguments for Failure
1. French Intervention in Spain: Despite Canning’s efforts, he failed to prevent French intervention in Spain in 1823. This was a major setback for Canning’s policy, as it demonstrated the limits of British power in the face of continental alliances. This also demonstrated Britain’s inability to influence events on the continent, which was important to British security.
2. Weakening Turkey: The independence of Greece, while a success for Canning in terms of checking Russian ambitions, also weakened the Ottoman Empire. This created a potential power vacuum in the Eastern Mediterranean, which could have been exploited by Russia in the future. The loss of the Ottomans as a buffer against Russia presented a strategic risk.
3. Lack of Congress System: Canning’s refusal to maintain the Congress System, a series of conferences held by European powers after the Napoleonic Wars, was a failure. This undermined efforts to maintain stability and cooperation in Europe. The system was seen as a way to prevent war and maintain the balance of power, and Canning’s abandonment of it created a void that led to more instability.
4. Deteriorating Relations with Austria: Canning's policies, particularly his support for Greece, led to a deterioration in relations with Austria. This was detrimental to the balance of power in Europe, as it created a potential conflict between Britain and Austria. This also made it harder for Britain to work with other European powers to resolve international disputes.
Conclusion
Canning’s foreign policy was a mixed bag. He was successful in achieving some of his objectives, such as securing a liberal constitution for Portugal and checking Russian ambitions in Greece. However, he also failed to prevent French intervention in Spain, and his policies contributed to the weakening of the Ottoman Empire and the deterioration of relations with Austria. Ultimately, Canning's legacy is one of both success and failure, leaving a mixed and complex picture of his impact on British foreign policy.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
Canning's Foreign Policy: Success or Failure?
In arguing that Canning’s foreign policy was successful,
⭐Answers might argue that his intervention in Portugal in 1823 and 1826 secured a liberal constitution and prevented the Spanish from intervening.
⭐Answers might argue that he was successful in Greece by checking Russian ambitions there.
⭐Answers might argue that maintaining the strength of the British navy was crucial and was demonstrated in both Portugal and Greece.
⭐Answers might argue that his policy towards the South American states improved relations with the new republics and the USA.
⭐Answers might argue that he worked with Metternich but was not beholden to him.
⭐Answers might argue he was successful in explaining his policies to the public.
In arguing that he was unsuccessful,
⭐Answers might argue that he failed to prevent French intervention in Spain in 1823.
⭐Answers might argue that the independence of Greece weakened Turkey as a buffer against Russian expansion.
⭐Answers might argue that he did not maintain the Congress System.
⭐Answers might argue that relations with Austria deteriorated to the detriment of the balance of power in Europe.