The Evolution Of British Central Asian Policy (1856-1914)

In modern times , Central Asia was a great temptation for Britain. If Britain controlled Central Asia, it could not only consolidate its colonial rule in India, but also expand in Asia commodity market and investment place, because Central Asia was adjacent to British India. Russia was a strong opponent against British expansion in Central Asia. From the end of Crimean War to the outbreak of World War I, the"Great Game"between Britain and Russia in Central Asia had never stopped. British Central Asian policy was largely a policy against Russia. When domestic and international situation changed, British Central Asian policy changed. This paper will divide the evolution of British Central Asian policy into four stages.In the first stage 1856-1874,"masterly inactivity"policy for careful advance was implemented in British Government. After Crimean War, British Central Asian policy faced more obstacles and challenges because Russian diplomatic focus conveyed from west to east and positively advanced towards Central Asia. The Great Indian National Revolt of 1857-1859 enabled English Government to have a lingering fear. Although there were in Britain those who actively advocated the"forward"policy, the Liberal Party Government chose a cautious"masterly inactivity"policy. This policy was mainly reflected in: Firstly, the British Indian Government signed a series of treaties with Afghanistan, strengthening political infiltration in Afghanistan. Secondly, Britain took the initiative to reach an understanding with Russia, especially reaching the Agreement of 1873. Thirdly, in order to prevent Russia from infiltrating from Central Asia into India, Britain strengthened its control on native states increasingly.In the second stage 1874-1882, the British Government implemented a"forward"policy for positive contest."Masterly inactivity"policy was objectively useful for Russia to complete the conquest of Central Asia. After coming to power in 1874, the Conservative Party changed British Central Asian policy, and"forward"policy of positive contest replaced"masterly inactivity"policy for cautious promotion. This policy was mainly reflected in: firstly, launching the Second Afghan War, contesting Afghanistan with force. Secondly, suppressing independent clan and tribe in northwest frontier of India. Thirdly, struggling for Central Asia from all aspects such as political, economic, cultural aspects and so on."Forward"policy brought the"Great Game"between Britain and Russia in Central Asia to a climax.In the third stage 1882-1907, the British Government implemented"join-hands-for-partition"policy in collusion with Russia . In the background of capitalist powers'partition being brought to a climax and basic contest in Central Asia taking shape, the British government: first, completed the delineation of the border of Afghanistan with Russia; secondly, illegally carved up Pamirs Region with Russia; thirdly, controlled with Russia the south and the north of Persian respectively."Join-hands-for-partition"policy was the result of great changes of the international situation.1907-1914 is the fourth stage and the British government implemented a bargaining"effective occupation"policy. Here the bargaining is mainly about The Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907. There was a sharp debate in Britain on The Anglo-Russian Convention. During the Persian Revolution, British and Russia contested secretly with each other, but in order to uphold The Anglo-Russian Convention, Britain tolerated Russian large-scale invasion of Persia and strengthened its infiltration and expansion in the southern Persian, particularly on the Persian oil plunder . Afghanistan was recalcitrant in the eyes of Englishmen and Russians. Britain took an attempt to reshape its authority in Afghanistan. There was also a secret rivalry for China's Tibet between Britain and Russia. However, the outbreak of World War I took The Anglo-Russian Convention to a sudden end.