Second French Empire

Napoleon III of France had an expansionist foreign policy, but his relations with Britain were surprisingly harmonious

Napoleon III came to power in France in 1848 (elected by universal male suffrage), soon restoring the position of Emperor which had been vacant since his uncle Napoleon I. The new Emperor had an expansionist foreign policy, which saw the French establish colonies in Algeria and Indo-China. The British were initially alarmed, and commissioned a series of forts in southern England designed to resist a French invasion.

Despite this Napoleon had a very pro-British foreign policy, and was eager not to displease the British government whose friendship he saw as important to France.

The expanding Russia and the prospect of a United Germany became greater concerns to the British, and the two nations worked together during the Crimean War which aimed to curb Russia's expansion westwards. The two nations also co-operated during the Second Opium War, dispatching a joint force to the Chinese capital Peking to agree a treaty with the Chinese Emperor. In 1859 Napoleon, bypassing the Corps législatif which he feared would not approve of free trade, met with influential reformer Richard Cobden, and in 1860 the Cobden-Chevalier Treaty was signed between the two countries, reducing tariffs on goods sold between Britain and France

France and Britain were allies during the Crimean War, both aiming to check on the power of an expanding Russia. During the iconic Charge of the Light Brigade it was cover from French cavalry which allowed the British survivors to escape

During the American Civil War both nations remained neutral. France came close to entering on the side of the Confederates, but did not want to become involved without the support of the British, which was not forthcoming due to concerns over slavery. France also attempted to gain British support for a scheme to put an Austrian Prince, Maximilian I, on the throne of Mexico, but the British were not willing to support any action other than the collection of debts owed by the Mexicans. This forced to French to act alone in the French Intervention in Mexico, which ultimately proved disastrous.

When Napoleon was overthrown in 1870, he fled to take refuge in England where he and his family lived in exile. The Republic which replaced his rule continued the warm relations with Britain, especially following the creation of the German Empire, which they perceived as a serious threat.

Later Victorian Era

One brief dispute occurred during the Fashoda Incident when French troops tried to claim an area in the Southern Sudan, and a British force purporting to be acting in the interests of the Khedive of Egypt arrived. Under heavy pressure the French withdrew securing Anglo-Egyptian control over the area. The status quo was recognised by an agreement between the two states acknowledging British control over Egypt, while France became the dominant power in Morocco. During the Scramble for Africa the British and French generally recognised each other's spheres of influence. The Suez Canal, initially built by the French, became a joint British-French project in 1875, as both saw it as vital to maintaining their influence and empires in Asia. In 1882, ongoing civil disturbances in Egypt (see Urabi Revolt) prompted Britain to intervene, extending a hand to France. France's expansionist Prime Minister Jules Ferry was out of office, and the Chamber of Deputies was unwilling to send more than an intimidatory fleet to the region. Britain established a protectorate, as France had a year earlier in Tunisia, and popular opinion in France later put this action down to duplicity. The Anglo-French Convention of 1882 was also signed to resolve territory disagreements in western Africa.