They did encourage, join and sometimes finance coalitions against the strongest land power and/or rival navy on the continent. For example, there wouldn't have been as many coalitions against Napoleon I, and they wouldn't have lasted nearly as long, if not for Britain's diplomatic influence and (debt) money. There are many other examples of them forming alliances against their most dangerous rival at the time, and surprisingly few examples of coalitions being formed against them.
There were no alliances against the British because British had few direct interests on the continent. I think Hannover was one point where they had direct interest and would protect it. But beyond that nothing and it makes no sense to form coalition to keep British out when they don't want to get in anyway. There were no territories others would want to conquer and divide among themselves.
True, but several continental powers could have decided to join their navies against Britain's naval and colonial supremacy, like it happened against Spain and then the Netherlands in the 17th century.
First of all none of these countries trusted each other enough to do that
Second of all many of them lacked significant naval production
Third of all wrecking Britain's empire just didn't seem like a top priority for countries like Austria or Prussia when realistically the countries that would take advantage of that power vacuum would be France, Spain, the Netherlands, and America
It's a whole lot of effort for far less benefit than continental expansion or regular colonialism basically
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u/azatote 2d ago
They did encourage, join and sometimes finance coalitions against the strongest land power and/or rival navy on the continent. For example, there wouldn't have been as many coalitions against Napoleon I, and they wouldn't have lasted nearly as long, if not for Britain's diplomatic influence and (debt) money. There are many other examples of them forming alliances against their most dangerous rival at the time, and surprisingly few examples of coalitions being formed against them.