Clayton–Bulwer Treaty

In the Clayton - Bulwer Treaty of 1850 ( April 19 in Washington, DC signed ) agreed the United States and Great Britain, that no one should have both a sole influence on a future, connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific channel. The neutrality should be guaranteed by both nations.

The contract is named after the negotiators Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer ( UK) and John M. Clayton (USA).

Content of the contract

The two powers agreed that neither of the two parties:

• Seeking a sole control of the (future) channel
• To establish or maintain forts in the vicinity of the (future) channel
• Their power to expand beyond Central American countries ( eg colonization )
• Will not use their existing power over Central American territories to gain sole control of the (future) channel

The two powers agreed further that the construction and operation of the canal, by whomever, is under the protection of the two powers, which also guarantee its neutrality.

Such a channel, according to the tenor of the contract, serves humanity as a whole and must not be dominated by a single country to the detriment of others.

Although it was thought at this time, the channel would be built in Nicaragua (via the Río San Juan, the Lago de Nicaragua and the Pacific ), and this is also in treaty expressed, it is also a possible route across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (Mexico) and Panama not excluded and accordingly subject to analogous conditions. Also a possible railway line should be treated accordingly.

Background

At this time Britain was a world power that had considerable influence in Central America. Recently (1848 ) they occupied Greytown (present-day San Juan del Norte) and established a protectorate in the Miskito coast, right at the scheduled channel through Lake Nicaragua. The U.S., however, was anxious according to the Monroe Doctrine to establish the double continent as their sphere of influence. None of the two powers found themselves currently in a position to build a canal and to keep unchallenged politically under their influence. But when they wanted to use the advantages offered by such a channel, they came to this compromise.

Outcome

The U.S. public saw the agreement as a surrender of the Monroe Doctrine. Not surprising that in later years when the power of the USA grew, she tried to revise the contract. Legal it happened, however, until 1901 with the Hay- Pauncefote Treaty.

The expression of whomever was not quite respected by the United States later in the contract. The contract does not say that only the U.S. or the UK or citizens or companies of these countries are allowed to build the canal. At most, the identical wording (English party ) when received from Parties and other subjects are mentioned, offers this option.

In practice, the U.S. tried again and again to ensure that the channel, if any, is then built by U.S. companies. When in 1855 the Americans and adventurer William Walker Nicaragua assault with a private army and occupied Granada, which proclaimed him the state was recognized by the United States before he could be removed from power with the help of neighboring countries in 1857.

1853 and again in 1867, 1894, 1896, 1898 and 1899 U.S. troops landed in Nicaragua, " to American interests " to be protected. Also in other areas of Central America won the U.S. ( especially in comparison to the UK ), more and more influence.