
- 320 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
Analysing a struggle for neutrality amid a rapidly changing European scene, this book illustrates how the small state of Tuscany cunningly managed to preserve its sovereignty and independence during a dangerous diplomatic dispute with England.
Endangered Neutrality follows the actions of William Plowman (1660-?), who sparked the dispute, and those of two of the main characters of the story, Iacopo Giraldi (1663-1738), Tuscan ambassador to England, and Lambert Blackwell (d.1727), English envoy to Tuscany. Through these privileged points of view, the reader is plunged into the highest levels of European politics and diplomacy of the period.
This book offers a radically new approach to the study of Tuscan history, particularly in relation to the reign of Cosimo III de' Medici. It underlines the weakness of the concept of the 'small state', showing how Tuscany managed openly to confront a much more powerful country such as England. Tuscany built a 'system of neutrality' which, leveraging the economic importance of the Mediterranean trade routes and of the port of Livorno, allowed the Grand Duchy to preserve its independence. Analysis of the case also offers a unique perspective on the functioning of the Tuscan and English diplomatic corps, assessing the impact of the Glorious Revolution on English diplomatic capabilities. Special attention is devoted to the importance of symbolism in diplomatic practice and to the role of trade and public opinion in resolving international disputes.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Half Title
- Series Page
- Frontispiece
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication Page
- Table of Contents
- List of figures
- List of table
- Acknowledgements
- Stylistic conventions
- List of abbreviations
- Introduction
- 1 The historiographical setting of the Plowman case
- 2 The Plowman case
- 3 The Plowman case and the Glorious Revolution
- 4 The novelty of Tuscan neutrality
- 5 The system of Tuscan neutrality
- 6 Diplomacy and public opinion
- Conclusions
- Primary sources
- Index