| ID | 183500 |
| Title Proper | British policy towards Iran 1809-1914: the question of cost |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Martin, Vanessa |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | There have been many interpretations of British policy in Iran between 1809 and 1914, but not infrequently a lack of precision as to what it was, with a certain tendency to believe that the British wished for greater control and influence over the country than they in fact did. This article seeks to demonstrate that Britain’s paramount concern was the defence of the route to India, and that, by contrast with the Russians, they refrained from involving themselves further until the increasing disorder from 1909 to 1914. The evidence for the argument is provided by the constantly expressed desire to curtail cost demonstrated by their attitude to expenditure. The article throws new light on the influential role of the government of India, which was required through out to bear a proportion of the cost, and which objected in the strongest terms to any further expenditure than was strictly necessary. Apart from the one deviation over the Tobacco Concession in 1890, the policy which Grey took over, rather than initiated, was military and strategic, aimed at a new enemy, Germany, rather than just Russia. |
| `In' analytical Note | British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies Vol. 48, No.5; Dec 2021: p.1000-1015 |
| Journal Source | British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies Vol: 48 No 5 |