This ‘peace ‘ memorial is in fact a memorial to Edward VII who was, by some, called 'The Peacemaker' for his active promotion good relationship between states.
He promoted the entente with France at the beginning of the 20th century and had a hand in the conclusion of the Anglo-Russian agreement in 1907.
The strengthening of the Anglo-French and Anglo-Russian ententes, roused German suspicion that the object of British foreign policy was to isolate Germany. Britain’s pursuit of these alliances resulted partly from its army’s abysmal and brutal performance in the Boer war. Britain realised that it was not as powerful as it thought it was and so forged alliances to protect its interests particularly in the colonies. A few years later those alliances dictated the battle lines of World War One.   |back