Cobden–Chevalier Treaty

Quick Facts: Who was Cobden–Chevalier Treaty?

Subject:

Cobden–Chevalier Treaty

Known for:

Anglo-French free trade agreement ending tariffs on key goods in 1860.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Cobden–Chevalier Treaty was an Anglo-French free trade agreement signed between the United Kingdom and France on 23 January 1860. After Britain began free trade policies in 1846, there remained tariffs with France. The 1860 treaty ended tariffs on the main items of trade—wine, brandy and silk goods from France, and coal, iron and industrial goods from Britain.

Career & Major Achievements

The new policy was widely copied across Europe. According to Stephen Krasner, the treaty set off a "golden age of free trade" in Europe, which lasted until the late 1870s. It was the first of eight "most favoured nation" treaties the British negotiated in the 1860s.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

By the 1880s, however, the rise of protectionism in Germany, the United States and elsewhere made the treaty less relevant. It was the first modern free trade agreement. It is named after the main British and French originators of the treaty, Richard Cobden MP and Michel Chevalier.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1846: 1846 Milestone — After Britain began free trade policies in 1846, there remained tariffs with France.
2. 1860: 1860 Milestone — The Cobden–Chevalier Treaty was an Anglo-French free trade agreement signed between the United Kingdom and France on 23 January 1860.

Notable Quotes by Cobden–Chevalier Treaty

“The treaty set off a "golden age of free trade" in Europe, which lasted until the late 1870s.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Cobden–Chevalier Treaty

True or False: “The Cobden–Chevalier Treaty was the first modern free trade agreement to eliminate tariffs on staple goods between two major European powers.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The treaty's elimination of duties on items like wine, coal, and iron established a crucial precedent for modern international trade agreements.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aleksey Khomyakov — Historical peer (Died in 1860) (1860): Founding theoretician of the Slavophile movement in Russian philosophy.
• Alphonse Mucha — Historical peer (Born in 1860) (1860): Master of Art Nouveau, famed for decorative posters and The Slav Epic.
• Adam Johann von Krusenstern — Historical peer (Died in 1846) (1846): Russian admiral and explorer, famed for leading the first Russian circumnavigation.
• Auguste Escoffier — Historical peer (Born in 1846) (1846): Pioneering French chef who modernized haute cuisine and codified the brigade system.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cobden–Chevalier Treaty