Mixed feelings The Great Rapprochement

adam smith predicted in wealth of nations (1776) if given representation in parliament, in century thirteen colonies become center of british empire, american revolution began @ time disrupted empire s relationship new united states. war of 1812 , disputes along canada–us border continued cause suspicion between 2 countries. u.s. seen potential threat british empire, , latter seen former antique , aristocratic empire had once ruled it.

americans, part, remained guarded in assessment of british aims , motives after 1815, in no small part due status of belligerent conferred britannic majesty s government upon confederate states of america during american civil war (1861-1865). particularly galling united states building, arming , launching of css alabama english port in 1862. alabama had rather too-successful career disrupting u.s. shipping in atlantic until sunk in battle of cherbourg in 1864. alabama claims settled between 2 atlantic powers arbitration several years after war, forming useful model resolving other disputes arising between 2 nations 20th century.

britain remained @ times model of civilization anglo-americans, still overwhelming proportion of upper echelons of american society 20th century. cultural , economic ties served keep 2 nations @ less arm s length during worst of times. example, there ambivalence , open opposition war of 1812 in united states, , new englanders quick let bygones bygones after cessation of hostilities in 1815.

even before american revolution, americans aware of how owed british background, , british institutions had contrasted favorably against european counterparts; 1823, britain backed american monroe doctrine, , 2 countries cooperated in naval west africa squadron missions against slave trade.

nevertheless, differences had separated agrarian , anti-imperialist united states , industrialized, imperialistic britain rapidly diminished after 1865. united states emerged civil war major industrial power renewed commitment stronger federal (centralized) government vis vis individual states, , america emerged spanish–american war (1898) imperial power possessions around globe, , special interest in approaches in 1914 became panama canal. in hay–pauncefote treaty of 1901, britain withdrew objections american-controlled canal.

by 1901 many influential britons advocated closer relationship between 2 countries. w. t. stead proposed year in americanization of world british empire , united states merge unify english-speaking world, doing britain continue time integral part of greatest of world-powers, supreme on sea , unassailable on land, permanently delivered fear of hostile attack, , capable of wielding irresistible influence in parts of planet . scottish-born american andrew carnegie shared goal, telling stead heading straight re-united states . american anglophobia declined, london realized value of long-term ally prevent upset in britain s balance of power, germany , russia appeared threaten. america seemed understand , extent agree british imperial aspirations, if not methods used in pursuit. britain s adoption of american secretary of state john hay s open door policy toward china garnered on western side of atlantic, further accelerating pace of rapprochement after 1900. after final british flirtation germany s anti-american designs in venezuelan crisis of 1902–03, britain , america embraced unreservedly during presidency of theodore roosevelt (1901-1909).