Splendid isolation

"Splendid isolation" is a diplomatic policy of avoiding alliances and entanglements. Some historians use the term to describe the foreign policy pursued by Britain during the late 19th century under the Conservative Party premierships of Benjamin Disraeli and Lord Salisbury. Lord Derby enunciated the policy in 1866 when he was foreign minister:

It is the duty of the Government of this country, placed as it is with regard to geographical position, to keep itself upon terms of goodwill with all surrounding nations, but not to entangle itself with any single or monopolising alliance with any one of them; above all to endeavour not to interfere needlessly and vexatiously with the internal affairs of any foreign country.

The term was coined in January 1896 by a Canadian politician, George Eulas Foster, who indicated his approval for Britain's minimal involvement in European affairs by saying, "In these somewhat troublesome days when the great Mother Empire stands splendidly isolated in Europe."

During the late nineteenth century the foreign policy of the United Kingdom was centered around the British concept of maintaining the balance of power in Europe and to intervene if that balance was upset. Its secondary goal was to protect its overseas interest in the colonies and dominions, as free trade kept the Empire alive. The sea routes to the colonies, especially those linking Britain to India (via the Suez Canal), were vital.

The policy of 'splendid isolation' was characterised by a reluctance to enter into permanent European alliances or commitments with the other great powers.

After the unification of the German Empire in 1871, German Chancellor Bismarck sought alliances with other European powers to counter any retaliation by France following the Franco-Prussian War. Successful alliances began with the Dreikaiserbund and Dual Alliance, 1879. The Triple Alliance was formed in 1882 between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy.

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