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South Africa and the United States at the end of the 19th century: The Boer War in American politics and diplomacy

American concern for South Africa during the Boer War focused on how the war affected wider American interests, and especially a budding rapprochement with Britain. It was not related to commercial or other interests intrinsic to the region. The Boer War could have evolved into a world war, and could have involved the United States, even emboldened a European power to attack the United States. The McKinley and Roosevelt administrations realized the danger, and sought to develop a sound working relationship with Britain that would not be attacked by a contentious and still largely anti-British public and Congress. Inept diplomatic representation in Southern Africa and agitation by Boer envoys and sympathizers in America further complicated matters. / Guided by Secretary of State John Hay, the United States emerged from this diplomatic cauldron unscathed. Mr. Hay was accused of subordinating the interests of his own country to Britain. In reality, he consistently pressed Britain for concessions, which the British made to garner American diplomatic support in response to the pressures of an enormous war effort little appreciated today. Hay achieved the essence of successful diplomacy: The United States attained its goals peacefully and with the gratitude of the British Empire. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-11, Section: A, page: 4047. / Major Professor: Thomas M. Campbell, Jr. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1992.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_76797
ContributorsMulanax, Richard Bryan., Florida State University
Source SetsFlorida State University
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText
Format303 p.
RightsOn campus use only.
RelationDissertation Abstracts International

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