... strategic, diplomatic and commercial interests of both countries. Both, during the 1830's and 40's were to become hotbeds of unrest and political uncertainty, but before looking in detail at what effect these events had on Anglo-French relations it is necessary to examine briefly what the interests of the two powers were in this period and how they related to Spain and Portugal. The main concern for France in 1830 was her need to break her isolation and find and ally; since Britain was the most receptive to the new Liberal regime in Paris in 1830 she was the only option. For this reason France backed down to Palmerston frequently during the Belgian crisis of 1830-31. However, the policy of Louis Phillippe, much the same as the Bourbons had done, was to seek to spread French influence beyond her own boundaries. In the 1820's Spain had been the main zone of ...

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