Jonah Patel
Gunboat diplomacy is a foreign policy strategy that involves the use of conspicuous displays of naval power to intimidate other, less powerful entities into granting concessions. The term gunboat diplomacy emerged during the 19th century when Western powers such as the United States and Europe competed to establish colonial trading empires. This strategy involves sending a fleet of battleships or warships to the coast of a country as a veiled threat, implying a direct threat of warfare if terms are not agreed upon. It is considered a form of hegemony, where a dominant country exerts political, economic, and military power over others. Gunboat diplomacy has been used by various nations throughout history to establish new trade relationships, colonial outposts, and expand their empires.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The demonstration or display of military force in a threatening manner to encourage a country's cooperation |
| Synonyms | Military diplomacy, defence diplomacy |
| Examples | - The Don Pacifico affair in 1850 |
| - The Spanish-American War of 1899 | |
| - The Roosevelt Corollary’s brand of gunboat diplomacy to justify the U.S. military occupations of Cuba in 1906, Nicaragua in 1912, and Veracruz, Mexico in 1914 | |
| - The Black Ships commanded by U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry in Japan’s Tokyo Bay in July 1853 | |
| - The Great White Fleet of 16 battleships and 7 destroyers sent by Roosevelt in 1907 | |
| - The use of sea-launched Tomahawk missiles and E-3 AWACS airborne surveillance aircraft by the Clinton administration during the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s | |
| Related Concepts | Dollar diplomacy, Big Stick Diplomacy |
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What You'll Learn
Gunboat diplomacy in the post-Cold War world
Gunboat diplomacy, a term that came into use in the 1920s, refers to the pursuit of foreign policy objectives through conspicuous displays of military power, usually naval power, implying or constituting a direct threat of warfare should terms not be agreeable to the superior force. The term originates from the 19th century when Western powers, particularly European countries and the United States, employed gunboat diplomacy to intimidate less powerful nations into granting concessions. The mere presence of a warship or a fleet of ships off the coast of a coastal country was often enough to exert pressure, and actual demonstrations of firepower were rarely necessary.
In the post-Cold War world, gunboat diplomacy continues to be a relevant strategy, especially with the United States' overwhelming sea power. The US Navy's presence at over 450 bases worldwide serves as a form of gunboat diplomacy, influencing foreign capitals and pursuing diplomatic objectives. For instance, the Clinton administration, in alliance with the Blair administration, employed a more passive form of gunboat diplomacy in the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s, using sea-launched Tomahawk missiles and E-3 AWACS airborne surveillance aircraft.
Another example of modern gunboat diplomacy occurred when President Obama ordered an aircraft carrier strike force, led by the USS George Washington, into the Yellow Sea, off the western shore of North Korea. This move risked confrontation with China, which claims the Yellow Sea as its own, and signalled a new type of tense gunboat diplomacy in the 21st century, driven by economic interests, energy sources, and climate change.
Gunboat diplomacy has evolved to include land-based equivalents, such as military mobilisation and the massing of troops near international borders. However, it is distinct from defence diplomacy, which seeks to achieve positive outcomes in bilateral and multilateral relationships through peaceful means, such as personnel exchanges, ship and aircraft visits, and high-level engagements.
While gunboat diplomacy has been criticised and dismissed by some, it continues to be a strategy employed by powerful nations to exert their influence and pursue their foreign policy objectives.
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Hegemony and the projection of military force
Gunboat diplomacy, or "cannon diplomacy", is a form of hegemony that involves the projection of military force to achieve political, economic, and military predominance over other countries. It is often associated with imperialism and the pursuit of foreign policy objectives through displays of naval power.
The term "gunboat diplomacy" emerged during the 19th-century period of imperialism when Western powers, including Europe and the United States, employed their superior military capabilities to intimidate less powerful nations into granting concessions. This tactic was used to establish colonial trading empires in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as to expand their influence and control over territories such as Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Cuba.
A notable example of gunboat diplomacy is the opening of Japan by the United States Navy Commodore Matthew C. Perry in the 1850s. The United States, having emerged from its isolationist stance after the Spanish-American War of 1899, sent a fleet of black warships to Japan, forcing the country to open its ports to trade with the West for the first time in over 200 years.
Gunboat diplomacy can also be achieved through the use of land-based military forces. Examples include military mobilisation, massing of troops near international borders, and appropriately timed and situated military manoeuvres or "exercises". This form of diplomacy contrasts with defence diplomacy, which seeks to achieve positive outcomes through peaceful means, such as personnel exchanges, ship visits, training, and bilateral talks.
In the post-Cold War era, gunboat diplomacy continues to evolve and adapt. While naval power remains a significant aspect, particularly with the overwhelming sea power of the U.S. Navy, other forms of military force projection have also come into play, such as the use of sea-launched missiles and airborne surveillance aircraft.
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Defence diplomacy and international relations
The term "diplomacy of cannons" likely refers to "gunboat diplomacy", a term from the 19th century period of imperialism when Western powers would intimidate less powerful entities into granting concessions through displays of superior military capabilities, usually naval power. This is distinct from defence diplomacy, which is a peaceful application of defence resources to achieve positive outcomes in the development of bilateral and multilateral relationships.
In international relations, defence diplomacy (or military diplomacy) is a tool for the implementation of foreign policy and security objectives of a state. It involves the pursuit of foreign policy objectives through the peaceful employment of defence resources and capabilities, excluding military operations. Defence diplomacy includes activities such as international personnel exchanges, ship and aircraft visits, high-level engagement, bilateral meetings, training, exercises, and security sector reform.
The concept of defence diplomacy emerged after the Cold War, as a response to the changing understanding of international security and national security policies. It reflects a broader perception of the role of armed forces, beyond their offensive, defensive, or deterrent roles. Defence diplomacy seeks to develop mutually beneficial relationships and contribute to a stable international environment, often associated with conflict prevention.
As a new form of diplomacy, defence diplomacy is supported by technology and social media, shaping international relations. It strengthens international cooperation in security and defence, building strong relationships between countries, reducing tensions, and promoting stability.
While the term originated in the West, defence diplomacy is not limited to Western countries. It is a flexible concept, adapted by different countries to meet their security policy needs. Despite its widespread use, a universally accepted definition of defence diplomacy is still evolving.
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Historical examples of gunboat diplomacy
Gunboat diplomacy refers to the use of naval power to intimidate other, less powerful entities into granting concessions. It is often associated with the activities of the Great Powers in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly during the period of imperialism when Western powers competed to establish colonial trading empires. Here are some historical examples of gunboat diplomacy:
The Don Pacifico Affair, 1850
In one of the earliest examples of gunboat diplomacy, the British Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston dispatched a squadron of the Royal Navy to blockade the Greek port of Piraeus. This was done in retaliation for the assault of a British subject, David Pacifico, and the failure of the Greek government to compensate him.
Commodore Matthew Perry and the "Black Ships", 1853
A classic example of early gunboat diplomacy occurred in July 1853 when U.S. Commodore Matthew Perry sailed a fleet of four black warships into Japan's Tokyo Bay. Without a navy of its own, Japan quickly agreed to open its ports to trade with the West for the first time in over 200 years.
US Intervention in Latin America, 1898 and onwards
Gunboat diplomacy has been closely associated with US interventions in Latin America, particularly during the early 20th century. In 1898, the US employed gunboat diplomacy in the Philippines. From 1916 to 1933, the deployment of marines and gunboat diplomacy were central to Washington's involvement in Nicaragua.
Roosevelt's "Big Stick" Diplomacy
President Theodore Roosevelt's "Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine" in 1904 made the threat of military force a tool of US foreign policy. Roosevelt added ten battleships and four cruisers to the US Navy, aiming to establish dominance in the Caribbean and Pacific. In 1905, he used gunboat diplomacy to secure US financial control over the Dominican Republic, and in 1906, he justified the military occupation of Cuba.
Woodrow Wilson's Presidency
During Woodrow Wilson's presidency, gunboat diplomacy was employed in the occupation of Veracruz, Mexico, in 1914, and the sending of US Marines to Haiti in 1915, officially to prevent Germany from building submarine bases.
Post-Cold War Era
Gunboat diplomacy has continued to be used in the post-Cold War era, with naval forces playing a prominent role. For example, the Chinese PLAN exercises off Taiwan in 1996 and the US naval firings on Al Shija and Khost in 1998 enhanced its geographical sphere of influence.
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Gunboat diplomacy in popular culture
Gunboat diplomacy, a term that emerged during the 19th-century period of imperialism, refers to the use of highly visible displays of military power to imply a threat of warfare and force cooperation from a foreign government. This strategy, often employed by Western powers, has been a recurring theme in popular culture, including literature, films, and games.
Literature
In literature, gunboat diplomacy can be found in the musical "The Sultan of Sulu" (1902), where American soldiers seek to take possession of an island to impart an "enlightened form of government." This depiction showcases the use of military presence to impose Western ideals and influence on a foreign nation.
Films
Gunboat diplomacy is also portrayed in films such as "The Sand Pebbles," which is set in 1920s China and literally features a gunboat as its setting. This choice of setting emphasizes the theme of Western intervention and the projection of military power in a foreign land.
Another example is the Star Wars franchise, where the Empire's doctrine relies on the fear instilled by the presence of a planet-destroying battle station. The threat of destruction, should the worlds fall out of line, is a classic demonstration of gunboat diplomacy, where superior military force is used to coerce compliance.
Games
In the strategy game "Civilization: Beyond Earth," gunboat diplomacy takes on a more direct interpretation. Players can pursue the Autocracy ideology, rapidly increasing their influence over city-states through the display of military might. This gameplay mechanic reflects the historical use of gunboat diplomacy, where superior forces were used to demand tribute or concessions.
Historical References
Gunboat diplomacy has also left its mark on history, with notable instances referenced in popular culture. One such example is the "Don Pacifico affair" in 1850, where British Foreign Secretary Lord Palmerston dispatched a squadron of warships to the coast of a coastal country as a show of force.
Another historical event is Commodore Matthew Perry's fleet of "Black Ships" sailing into Japan's Tokyo Bay in 1853. The display of naval power led Japan to open its ports to trade with the West, showcasing the effectiveness of gunboat diplomacy in forcing policy changes and economic concessions.
In summary, gunboat diplomacy in popular culture often serves as a narrative device to depict power dynamics, international relations, and the ethical implications of using military force to coerce compliance. It reflects a recurring theme in history and continues to shape geopolitical strategies and cultural narratives.
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Frequently asked questions
Gunboat diplomacy is the pursuit of foreign policy objectives with the aid of conspicuous displays of naval power, implying or constituting a direct threat of warfare should terms not be agreeable to the superior force.
In 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry sailed his fleet of four solid black warships into Japan’s Tokyo Bay. Without a navy of its own, Japan quickly agreed to open its ports to trade with the West for the first time in over 200 years.
Defence diplomacy does not include military operations but subsumes other defence activities such as international personnel exchanges, ship and aircraft visits, high-level engagement, training and exercises, security-sector reform, and bilateral military talks.
Military attachés are involved in military diplomacy, a sub-set of gunboat diplomacy that refers to the role of military attachés and their associated activity.
