Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907

The Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907 settled disputes between Britain and Russia by defining spheres of influence in Persia and arrangements concerning Afghanistan and Tibet, without Persian participation.

Persian Convention: The 1907 agreement’s provisions dividing Persia into Russian, British, and neutral spheres of influence. This section defined the spheres at the convention’s center, despite Persia having no role in negotiating them.
Russo-Japanese War: The 1904–1905 war between the Russian Empire and Japan, ending in Russian defeat. Russia’s defeat encouraged a more conciliatory approach toward Britain.
Persian Cossack Brigade: A Persian military force organized and trained by Russian officers from the late nineteenth century. Russian influence in northern Persia reinforced a power imbalance the convention formalized.
Partition of Africa: The late nineteenth-century European seizure and division of most of Africa into colonial territories. Unlike much of Africa’s partition, the convention assigned influence rather than formally transferring sovereignty.
Anglo-Russian Agreement on Afghanistan: The 1907 agreement’s provisions recognizing Afghanistan as outside Russia’s sphere and limiting Russian dealings with its ruler. These terms reduced the chance that rivalry in Afghanistan would undermine the settlement.
Entente Cordiale: The 1904 agreements that resolved colonial disputes between Britain and France. Britain’s settlement with France helped create conditions for an understanding with Russia.
Anglo-Russian Entente: The political understanding between Britain and Russia established by their 1907 convention. The convention itself became the basis for cooperation between the two empires.
Treaty of Turkmenchay: The 1828 treaty that ended the Russo-Persian War and imposed territorial and political concessions on Persia. This earlier treaty imposed explicit concessions, while the 1907 convention excluded Persia from negotiations over its spheres.
Anglo-Russian Agreement on Tibet: The 1907 agreement’s provisions recognizing Chinese authority in Tibet and restricting British and Russian interference there. The Tibet provisions extended the bargain beyond Persia and Afghanistan.
Persian Constitutional Revolution: The 1905–1911 movement that challenged royal authority and established constitutional government in Persia. Persia’s political upheaval coincided with the powers’ decision to define spheres there.

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