Everything about Entente Cordiale totally explained
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.
History
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's 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"
(External Link
) 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'd British support, the French became ever more belligerent in their attitude towards the Germans, fully demonstrated in the
Moroccan crises of 1905 and 1911. 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.
The documents signed
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”.
Commemoration
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 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. 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. 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.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Entente Cordiale'.
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