Gunboat diplomacy

Relevance

The phrase “gunboat diplomacy” might remind us of the 19th century, but its fundamental ideas are still important in today’s world of international relations. While we may not see simple gunboats anymore, nations now use advanced ships like destroyers and aircraft carriers to project power. This is particularly relevant when powerful countries compete. They send their naval forces to show their intentions, demonstrate their military strength, and assert their claims to certain waters, especially when those areas are disputed.

Politically, these naval actions provide a visible sign of a country’s commitment to its goals or allies. For instance, when the United States conducts “freedom of navigation operations” in the South China Sea, it challenges what it sees as unfair territorial claims by other nations. These naval activities are like diplomatic messages delivered with warships. Similarly, military exercises near sensitive areas, like the Taiwan Strait or off the Korean peninsula, are carefully planned signals meant to deter aggression, reassure allies, or even intimidate opponents.

On the economic front, modern gunboat diplomacy plays a crucial role in protecting important sea routes for global trade. A large amount of international trade moves by sea, so a country’s ability to patrol these routes or even threaten another country’s access to them can be a strong tool of influence. By maintaining a naval presence, a nation demonstrates its ability to safeguard its trade interests and disrupt those of its rivals. This display of power boosts market confidence, secures energy supplies, and strengthens a country’s position in the global community. Overall, while it’s a bold strategy with risks, it remains an effective way for countries to assert their rights and influence outcomes without going to war.

Methods and approaches

Gunboat diplomacy refers to the use of naval power to influence other nations, and it involves various methods aimed at showing strength while avoiding full-scale conflict. One classic approach is the port visit, where a warship anchors in a foreign harbour. This can seem friendly, but it often serves as a striking reminder of military power, especially when tensions are high.

A more forceful tactic is a naval demonstration, in which several ships conduct live-fire exercises or large-scale manoeuvres in disputed waters. These actions are designed to intimidate other countries by showcasing military readiness and advanced technology.

Blockades are another method by which a country restricts maritime trade to pressure another nation economically. This can significantly escalate tensions, as it cuts off critical resources and income.

In recent years, freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) have become common. During these missions, naval vessels deliberately enter disputed waters to challenge another nation’s claims to territory. This not only asserts a legal right but also displays military presence.

Another modern tactic involves using so-called “grey-zone” methods. This includes utilising ships that are not part of the military, like coast guard boats or fishing fleets with military backing. These vessels engage in activities that disrupt or deter foreign ships without rising to the level of open warfare, creating uncertainty and making it challenging for the affected nation to respond without appearing aggressive.

Geographical scope

Gunboat diplomacy happens in regions that are strategically or economically important. In the past, this practice was more widespread, with European countries and the United States focusing on coastal nations in places like Latin America, Africa, and East Asia.

Today, gunboat diplomacy mostly takes place in specific maritime areas known as “chokepoints” and “flashpoints.” A key example is the South China Sea, where naval patrols and military exercises create ongoing tensions, partly due to the presence of man-made islands. The Taiwan Strait is another significant location where naval operations are carried out to convey messages about territorial claims and security.

Other important areas include the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, which are crucial for protecting global oil shipments. The Eastern Mediterranean has seen military posturing over natural gas disputes, while the Black Sea has witnessed confrontations and blockades. Unlike discussions in international forums like the United Nations, gunboat diplomacy is usually a one-on-one affair, carried out through direct actions at sea rather than through negotiations.

Historical development

The practice of using military ships to influence other countries, known as gunboat diplomacy, became prominent during the 19th century, as European nations expanded their empires. The British Royal Navy was mighty and often used its naval dominance to promote peace and control, a period known as “Pax Britannica.” A notable example of this is the First Opium War between Britain and China, which lasted from 1839 to 1842. Britain showcased its advanced steam-powered ships to defeat Qing China, leading to China’s surrender of Hong Kong and the opening of several trading ports. This set a precedent for using military force to open markets and impose unfair agreements.

Another significant moment was in 1854 when the United States, led by Commodore Matthew Perry, sent a fleet of ships, famously known as the “Black Ships,” to Japan. The impressive technology of his boats and the unspoken threat they represented forced the Japanese government, which had kept the country isolated for centuries, to sign a treaty that ended their seclusion.

This use of military pressure continued even into the early 20th century, especially in U.S. actions in Latin America, which were often referred to as “dollar diplomacy,” in which financial interests were backed by military support. After World War II and the creation of the United Nations, which aimed to prevent the use of force, outright gunboat diplomacy started to decline. The process of decolonisation and the growth of international rules also made such aggressive tactics less acceptable.

However, the idea didn’t disappear completely. During the Cold War, the navies of the U.S. and the Soviet Union engaged in tense standoffs, using their fleets to demonstrate strength. A key example of this occurred during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, when the U.S. naval blockade of Cuba created a high-stakes scenario of naval pressure and political manoeuvring.

Actors

The key actors in this practice are primarily powerful countries that have significant naval capabilities. Historically, the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy was the main force in this area, followed by other colonial powers such as France, Germany, and the United States.

In today’s world, the United States Navy is the most active in deploying naval power to demonstrate its strength and enforce its views on maritime law, often through its aircraft carriers and destroyers. China has also become a major player, using its navy and coast guard to strengthen its claims over areas in the South China Sea and around Taiwan. Similarly, Russia uses its naval fleets to project influence in regions such as the Black Sea, the Arctic, and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Other countries, including Japan, India, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, also engage in naval diplomacy to safeguard their interests in their respective regions. While organisations like the United Nations or NATO do not directly engage in gunboat diplomacy, they often coordinate responses to situations involving this type of coercive naval strategy.

Examples

Commodore Perry’s Opening of Japan (1853-1854)

One of the most notable examples of gunboat diplomacy, where a country uses its military strength to influence another, is the US mission to Japan in the 19th century. For over 200 years, Japan had kept itself isolated from the rest of the world. In 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry arrived in Tokyo Bay with four warships, including two steam-powered vessels known as “Black Ships.” These ships were far more advanced than anything Japan had at the time. Perry brought a letter from President Millard Fillmore asking for a trade treaty and announced that he would return the following year for an answer. When he returned in 1854 with an even larger fleet, the Japanese leaders, intimidated by the display of military power, agreed to sign the Convention of Kanagawa. This treaty opened two ports to American ships, effectively ending Japan’s isolation thanks to the threat posed by Perry’s ships.

US Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs)

A modern version of gunboat diplomacy can be seen in the US Freedom of Navigation (FON) program. In the South China Sea, China claims control over vast areas and has built artificial islands with military facilities to support these claims. The United States and other nations argue that these claims violate international maritime law. To push back against these assertions, the US Navy routinely sends destroyers into the 12-nautical-mile zone that China claims around these islands. While these operations are not hostile actions, they are direct challenges to China’s authority in the area. By sending warships, the US aims to make it clear that it does not recognise China’s claims over these waters, making a political statement without resorting to violence.

Chinese Naval Patrols around Taiwan

China frequently uses its naval forces to intimidate Taiwan and convey its political messages. When foreign officials visit Taiwan or respond to statements by Taiwanese leaders, China often conducts significant military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. This includes sending warships and aircraft across an unofficial boundary known as the “median line.” These actions are a form of coercive diplomacy, aimed at exhausting Taiwan’s military resources, creating psychological pressure on its people, and sending a warning to other nations against interfering. The constant naval presence serves as a stark reminder of China’s claim to Taiwan and its readiness to use force if necessary.