Entente cordiale

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The Entente cordiale is a series of agreements signed on 8 April 1904 between the United Kingdom and France. Beyond the immediate concerns of colonial expansion addressed by the agreement, the signing of the Entente cordiale marked the end of almost a millennium of intermittent conflict between the two nations and their predecessor states, and the start of the peaceful co-existence that has continued to the early years of the 21st century. The Entente cordiale, along with the Anglo-Russian Entente and the Franco-Russian Alliance, later became part of the Triple Entente among the UK, France, and Russia. It paved the way for the diplomatic and military cooperation that preceded World War I.

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[edit] Reasons

  • Both powers had become exhausted with imperialism — By the turn of the century both powers were satisfied with their empires and sought for peace so they could consolidate their existing territories.
  • Fear of being dragged into a war — Japan's recent declaration of war on Russia was the spark which caused the imperial agreement. The entente symbolized each countries intent not to involve themselves in the on going war in the Far East.
  • German expansionism — Germany's new policy of Weltpolitik was seen as an act of aggression by Britain and France. France's Mediterranean coast and Britain's general naval dominance felt threatened, and so both wanted to form an alliance for future German aggression.

[edit] History

A cartoon on the Entente cordiale from the German perspective, with John Bull stalking off with the harlot Marianne (in what is supposed to be a Tricolour dress; see tincture), turning his back on Germany. The tip of the scabbard of a cavalry sabre protrudes from beneath Germany's army overcoat, implying a potential resort to force.
A cartoon on the Entente cordiale from the German perspective, with John Bull stalking off with the harlot Marianne (in what is supposed to be a Tricolour dress; see tincture), turning his back on Germany. The tip of the scabbard of a cavalry sabre protrudes from beneath Germany's army overcoat, implying a potential resort to force.

The French term Entente cordiale (usually translated as "cordial understanding") was first used in English in 1844 (according to the OED) to denote recognition of common interests between the United Kingdom and France. Now the term usually denotes the second Entente cordiale, that is to say the written and partly secret agreement signed in London between the two countries on 8 April 1904.

The agreement had its roots in a British loss of confidence after the early humiliations experienced in the Second Boer War, and a growing fear that the country was isolated in the face of a potentially aggressive Germany. As early as March 1881, the French statesman Léon Gambetta and the then Albert Edward, Prince of Wales met at the Château de Breteuil to discuss an alliance against Germany. The Scramble for Africa prevented the countries from coming to terms. On the initiative of Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain, there were three rounds of British-German talks between 1898 and 1901. After becoming King in 1901, Edward VII declined to accede to the Triple Alliance, broke off the negotiations with Berlin, and revived the idea of a British-French alliance.

When the Russo-Japanese War was about to erupt, France and Britain found themselves on the point of being dragged into the conflict on the side of their respective allies. France was firmly allied with Russia, while Britain was allied with Russia's foe Japan. In order to avoid going to war, both powers "shucked off their ancient rivalry"[1] and resolved differences between the two countries in Africa, America, Asia and the Pacific. An agreement on colonial matters was negotiated between French foreign minister Théophile Delcassé, and Lord Lansdowne, the British Foreign Secretary. The resultant convention was signed by Lord Lansdowne and Paul Cambon, the French Ambassador, on 8 April 1904. The agreement did little to advance British interests, but it linked the country to the intricate web of Continental rivalries which it had managed to stay clear of hitherto.

Convinced that they had British support, the French became ever more belligerent in their attitude towards the Germans, fully demonstrated in the Moroccan crises of 1905 and 1911.[opinion needs balancing] Concerned by possible encirclement, the Germans grew ever more alienated. An arrangement that had been intended to improve Britain's standing in the world merely added to the tensions within Europe, and became just another milestone on the road to the Great War[citation needed].

[edit] The documents signed

The British and French colonial empires reached their peaks after WWI, a reflection of the power of this new alliance. Note that the New Hebrides are coloured purple because of their joint administration.
The British and French colonial empires reached their peaks after WWI, a reflection of the power of this new alliance. Note that the New Hebrides are coloured purple because of their joint administration.

The Entente was composed of three documents:

  • The first and most important document was the Declaration respecting Egypt and Morocco. In return for the French promising not to “obstruct” British actions in Egypt, the British promised to allow the French to “preserve order … and provide assistance” in Morocco. Free passage through the Suez Canal was guaranteed, finally putting the Convention of Constantinople into force, and the erection of fortifications on part of the Moroccan coast forbidden. The treaty contained a secret annex dealing with the possibility of “changed circumstances” in the administration of either of the two countries.
  • The second document dealt with Newfoundland and portions of West and Central Africa. The French gave up their rights (stemming from the Treaty of Utrecht) over the western coast of Newfoundland, although they retained the right to fish the coast. In return, the British gave the French the town of Yarbutenda (near the modern border between Senegal and The Gambia) and the Iles de Los (part of modern Guinea). An additional provision deals with the border between French and British possessions east of the River Niger (present-day Niger and Nigeria).
  • The final declaration concerned Siam (Thailand), Madagascar and the New Hebrides (Vanuatu). In Siam, the British sphere of influence was limited to the basin of the River Menam (the Chao Phraya). The British withdrew their objection to the French introducing a tariff in Madagascar. Both parties agreed to come to an agreement which would “put an end to the difficulties arising from the lack of jurisdiction over the natives of the New Hebrides”.

[edit] Commemoration

A 1904 French postcard showing Britannia and Marianne dancing together, symbolising the two nations' newly found sense of co-operation.
A 1904 French postcard showing Britannia and Marianne dancing together, symbolising the two nations' newly found sense of co-operation.

The hundredth anniversary of the Entente cordiale in 2004 was marked by a number of official and unofficial events, including a state visit to France by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, and a return visit by President Chirac in November. British troops (the band of the Royal Marines, the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, Grenadier Guards and King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery) also led the Bastille Day parade in Paris for the first time, with the Red Arrows flying overhead.

The Entente is still honoured at both ends of Channel Tunnel; in both London Waterloo International and Paris Gare du Nord, the flags of the United Kingdom and of France are depicted connected with the words 'Entente cordiale' superimposed on posters. However a number of French political leaders had complained[1] about the name "Waterloo" for the destination of trains from Paris because the British terminus is named after the 1815 battle where a British-led alliance defeated Napoleon's army. In 1998, French politician Florent Longuepée wrote to the then British Prime Minister Tony Blair demanding, without success, that the name be changed.[2][3] As of November 2007 this irritant has been removed as St Pancras International became the new London terminus for the Eurostar service.

During his March 2008 summit with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, French President Nicolas Sarkozy (famous for his Anglophilic and Atlanticist tendencies) called for a stronger entente amicale ("friendly understanding") between the two nations in a speech before the House of Commons. [4] Brown, in turn, called for an entente formidable ("formidable understanding"), emphasizing military cooperation between the United Kingdom and France and possibly indicating an interest in European military integration and strengthening the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union.[5]

[edit] See also

[edit] Further reading

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Waterloo insult to French visitors. BBC (6 November 1998). Retrieved on 21 June 2007.
  2. ^ Passengers ready for a second battle of Waterloo. The Times (12 March 2004). Retrieved on 10 April 2008.
  3. ^ Waterloo insult to French visitors. BBC (6 November 1998). Retrieved on 21 June 2007.
  4. ^ Sarkozy woos the British. BBC (29 March 2008). Retrieved on 7 April 2008.
  5. ^ Brown seeks 'Entente Formidable'. BBC (29 March 2008). Retrieved on 7 April 2008.
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