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An Aspiring Buffer State: Anglo-Persian Relations in the Third Coalition, 1804–1807

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2009

Edward Ingram
Edward Ingram
Affiliation:
Simon Frascr University
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Extract

Weak states can control strong states, provided the weak can persuade the strong to admit, that they are vitally interested in their integrity and independence. In the late nineteentli century everybody understood the influence of the Ottoman Empire upon British policy, and the influence of Austria-Hungary upon Imperial German policy in the near east. In the heyday of the Great Powers of Europe it was not expected tliat orientals should aspire to similar influence: their futures would be decided by Europeans. Until the work of Robinson and Gallagher revealed the extent to which the khedive of Egypt controlled Lord Cromer, the history of late nineteenth century imperialism was written from this assumption.

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The Historical Journal , Volume 16 , Issue 3 , September 1973, pp. 509 - 533
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1973

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