HISTORY 2HH3 Lecture 5: Diplomacy Part I
12 Oct 2020
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Armstrong • History 2HH3
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Course: History 2HH3
Instructor: Dr. Megan Armstrong
Lecture: Governance Part I: Diplomacy
The Birth of Modern Diplomacy:
• Discuss the emergence of modern-day diplomacy in this period
• To what extent is this a Medieval form of diplomacy and to what extent is this a form of
diplomacy that we see today?
• Argue that we do see modern forms emerging in this time due to changing relations in the
Mediterranean
• Formal structures of governance
• By 1450s, processes of political change were underway in many corners of the
Mediterranean
o Led to increasing competition and conflict in the Mediterranean Sea
o Over commodities, possession of property, etc.
• Ottoman Empire became increasingly influential power around northern and southern rim
of Great Sea
• Other empires forming at this time
o Spain, Portugal, France, England, and the Netherlands
• Many of these states (i.e. Ottoman, Spain, England, France) were increasingly
centralizing their structures
• Central argument of lecture = diplomacy as a formal mechanism of inter-state
engagement developed in response to Mediterranean’s growing importance as a site of
imperial competition and contestation (16th and 17th c.)
• Three sections:
o 1. Discussing Medieval mechanisms of diplomacy
o 2. Changing imperial context on Mediterranean
o 3. New structures and mechanisms of engagement (early modern diplomacy)
“Triumph of Emperor Maximilian I” (Habsburg-Ottoman Wars):
• When we talk about Medieval diplomacy, we are accustomed to an extensive formalized
system of diplomacy
o Involves appointment of resident ambassadors and local staff
o Stringent bureaucratic protocols governing nature of engagement
• Until 16th c., Medieval diplomacy was more informal (ad hoc in nature)
o Rather than developing standing relations between states, they negotiated
(“treated”) on an issue-by-issue basis
o A state would send an envoy (high-ranking member of the elite) who was charged
with specific authority to negotiate a specific issue
o Could involve discussions of war and peace; royal marriage; trading rights and
commodities
• Medieval envoys had narrowly limited authority
o Office only lasted as long as the business itself
o No set terms
o Usually sent to deal with one or two issues
o Not permanent positions
Armstrong • History 2HH3
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o Expected to report back on progress of work
o Had some influence on success or failure of negotiations
o Rulers typically wanted their envoy to be powerful, respectful, and experienced as
they represented the power and authority of the king
o Positions of the envoy was prestigious for this region
o Common for powerful states to ensure that envoy was accompanied by impressive
entourage
o Coveted by important individuals
o Rulers provided a stipend, but it was common for envoys to pay for much if not
all of their expenses (especially if they were away for long-term periods)
• By 16th c., more formal processes and relations emerged around some of the
Mediterranean powers
o Occurred for a number of reasons but two main arguments stand:
1. Garrett Mattingly
• Argued that it was an Italian invention
• Pointed to conflicted relations between Italian states in 15th-16th c.
o Florence, Milan, Papal states, etc. often at war with each
other
• Proximity and conflict resulted in development of more
sophisticated mechanisms of negotiation
• Emphasized the papal nuncios became first prototypes of modern
ambassadors
• Papacy led the way along with Venice
2. Daniel Goffman
• Argued it was because of the Ottoman involvement in
Mediterranean that we see the emergence of modern diplomacy
• Ottomans had recognized for some powers to send
permanent/long-term representatives to their court to negotiate
• Intervention of Ottomans in Mediterranean that brought this kind
of governance to greater interactions with European states
• As European states competed with and treated with Ottomans, they
increasingly adopted Ottoman practices of negotiation
• Interaction of European and Ottoman structures led to creation of
early modern diplomacy
• Growing imperial competition in Mediterranean and particular
modes of Ottoman engagement that helped create this new form
What are some of the things we notice that changed because of changes in Mediterranean?
• Increasing conflicts
o Triumph of Maximilian
Habsburg emperor until 1516
Image of his victorious armies that claim the victory
Each representative of Habsburg states (Germanic states) bears the
insignia of the state they belong to and dynastic family that ruled it
Images of ships, militia, sailors that took place in the Habsburg-Ottoman
Wars
Document Summary
Mediterranean: formal structures of governance, by 1450s, processes of political change were underway in many corners of the. New structures and mechanisms of engagement (early modern diplomacy) Mediterranean powers: occurred for a number of reasons but two main arguments stand: Daniel goffman: argued it was because of the ottoman involvement in. Mediterranean that we see the emergence of modern diplomacy: ottomans had recognized for some powers to send permanent/long-term representatives to their court to negotiate. Intervention of ottomans in mediterranean that brought this kind of governance to greater interactions with european states: as european states competed with and treated with ottomans, they increasingly adopted ottoman practices of negotiation. Interaction of european and ottoman structures led to creation of early modern diplomacy: growing imperial competition in mediterranean and particular modes of ottoman engagement that helped create this new form. Image of his victorious armies that claim the victory.
