The British King Edward VII and Diplomatic Boycott of Serbia 1903-1906 Cover Image

Британски краљ Едвард VII и дипломатски бојкот Србије 1903-1906
The British King Edward VII and Diplomatic Boycott of Serbia 1903-1906

Author(s): Aleksandar P. Rastović
Subject(s): Diplomatic history, Pre-WW I & WW I (1900 -1919)
Published by: Istorijski institut, Beograd

Summary/Abstract: Both domestic and foreign historiography has had different views on the role of King Edward VII in the break and renewal of diplomatic relations between Great Britain and Serbia. Whilst some argue that the British king was the key figure in bringing about the three-year isolation of Serbia and the one who most insisted on punishing the conspirators and their dismissal from active service, the others are of the opinion that he was a weak person, and that the key to the problem was in the hands of Lord Henry Fitzmaurice, head of the Foreign Office. The intention of this paper is to show, based on diplomatic reports and other archival materials, as well as the available literature, that neither group was absolutely right, i.e. that the crucial role in the break and renewal of the relations with Serbia belonged to the British political and state interests. King Edward and secretaries of the Foreign Office were only instruments in their achievement.

  • Issue Year: 2001
  • Issue No: 48
  • Page Range: 145-163
  • Page Count: 19
  • Language: Serbian