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1. “Splendid Isolation” is the expression used to describe Britain’s foreign policy under the Conservative party, which was led by Lord Salisbury. “Splendid Isolation” referred to the fact that in this era Britain preferred to remain secluded from creating alliances or close diplomatic ties with any other nation outside her vast empire. Therefore she did not structure alliances with any of the two major systems of power that had formed within Europe. It is argued that this stance was taken as Britain’s influence within Europe would alter the equilibrium and could subsequently lead to war. Conversely there is an antithesis to this argument that “Britain’s isolation was a fact rather than a policy ” as her growing enmity with other world powers, meant that he isolation was forced and certainly did not resemble anything ‘splendid’. 2. British politicians at the time were anxious about Britain’s plight for a number of factors. Initially the Boer War had lucidly shown the almost worldwide abhor for Britain and her empire. The fact that France publicly condemned the actions of the British army was detrimental to the invincible and imperial image that Britain had built over the world. However Germany’s role w