Product Description

This is the first detailed and comprehensive study of British foreign policy before and during the war which led to the loss of the American colonies, a period from 1756 to 1783 in which Britain's position in Europe was transformed. H. M. Scott examines the nature and the role of British diplomacy in the age of the American Revolution in the context of Britain's other eighteenth-century conflicts. Two themes receive particular attention: Britain's continuing rivalry with the Bourbons, exemplified by the great crisis over the Falkland Islands in 1770-1, and the unsuccessful efforts to strengthen Britain diplomatically by concluding alliances with major Continental powers. Dr Scott has provided a major scholarly reassessment of British diplomacy in this period, analysing both the impact of the personalities involved, and the successes and failures of their policies.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2204039 in Books
• Published on: 1990-11-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 392 pages

Review
"This is a valuable addition to scholarship."--Journal of Modern History
"A work that should stand the test of time even as it inspires other scholars to challenge some of his findings....a valuable addition to scholarship, particularly for the years 1763-73."--Journal of Modern History
"Will long be used as a key reference to the complexities and subtleties of British diplomacy in the critical middle years of George III's reign."--American Historical Review
"[A] splendid book....So provocative and well written as to be one of the most exciting works of history I have read in a long time....American colonial, military, and political historians will find much to ponder and all lovers of good historical writing much to enjoy."--William and Mary Quarterly
"This work is a masterful analysis of British diplomacy during the last half of the eighteenth century and undoubtedly will be recognized as the authoritative study in the field."--Pennsylvania History