When Diplomacy Fails Podcast
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PhD Thesis: Episode 1.1
🕑 Added 2024-01-15 06:30:01 +0000 UTC[PATRONS]
In this episode, we look at our first chapter, which examines the idea of good faith in international commitments, and how this affected national honour.
Specifically, we look at a forgotten agreement, the Russian Dutch Loan. In the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, the Dutch King felt compelled to repay Russia's extensive contribution to liberating his country, and settled on monetary compensation in the form of a loan. Interestingly, Britain took on a large portion of this sum.
This new obligation wasn't controversial in 1815, but fifteen years later, questions emerged over whether Russia's annexation of Poland violated this arrangement. The opposition insisted it did, but Palmerston was adamant that British honour required continuing the payments. What was his justification for this, and how did his colleagues explain giving money to the controversial Tsar? Find out in our first proper episode of the PhD thesis series! Thanksss!
