| Popis: |
The Conclusion assesses the importance of Parish's report in British political-diplomatic history, especially his final remarks which help explain British policy towards Latin America in the 1820s. On the one hand, Parish notes the weakness of his sources of information, which explains why, the following year, Canning asked the British consuls in South America for regular reports (published by Humphreys). On the other hand, the report points to the need to recognize the South American states by putting pressure on Spain, sending consuls, and forming friendship and trade treaties. This became official FO policy during the Canning era. The report also provides the historical-political argument that allowed this policy to be developed without entering into conflict with legitimacy, in general, and with Spain, in particular: King Fernando VII no longer had any power in South America and, with the exception of Mexico, there were no royalist forces of significance in the region, so the possibilities of a Spanish restoration were scarce. The nascent states were sufficiently stable and had established sufficient hegemony in the region to be considered legitimate governments which could sign international agreements and enforce laws which would protect British capital in the region, an obligation which Spain could no longer undertake with success. |
