1. The Development Of Imperialism c1857-c1890 - The Expansion Of The British Empire In Africa Flashcards
What initiated the expansion of the British Empire in Africa?
- After the loss of American colonies at the end of the 18th Century, it signified the end of this empire and sent Britain on a ‘swing to the east’
- Britain underwent the ‘industrial revolution’ in the 19th century, meaning steamships and weapons allowed them to establish footholds in Africa
What reasons were there that caused the expansion of the british empire in Africa
- trade and economy
- moral factors
- personal influence
- strategic factors
- exploration
Why was Trade and economy a reason?
- the hope of further trade gave the opening up of new inland routes and discovery of minerals and resources.
- once materials and markets of routes had been accessed, investment opportunities and strategic interest were considered
- coal, iron and timber were sought in Africa to feed demand of British industry - a cycle of dependence grew where britain exploited African resources to make goods to sell back to Africa
Why was personal influence a reason?
- merchant imperialists recognised and capitalised on new commodities and found fame and fortune
- interest was stimulated by Victorian explorers who explored Africas waterways and published findings
Why were strategic factors useful?
- Britain had coastal interests in West Africa to demand protection
- there were a string of forts were set up along the Gold Coast + coastal defences in Sierra Leone and The Gambia
- the establishment of the colony in the cape had temperate climate and its deep water port had advantages over other harbours
Why were moral factors a reason?
people in Victorian Britain claimed to have ‘strong moral principles’ and from the 1860s, Christian missionaries saw it as their moral duty to spread their faith among non-Christian people. They thought the empire was a force for ‘civilisation’.
Who was David livingstone?
David Livingstone went to Africa in 1858 to make an open path for commerce and Christianity.
Why was exploration a reason?
by 1857, most of Africa had been added to European maps. Explorers located vast reserves, already known to local inhabitants, of raw materials such as gold, palm oil and diamonds, which European merchants sought to exploit and trade
When and why did British interest towards Egypt revive?
British interest revived during the American civil war of 1861 - 1865, when British mills were starved of raw cotton and Egypt had particularly good quality cotton.
Trading between Britain and Egypt:
British companies began investing heavily in the production of Egyptian cotton & the modernising programme of the ruling of Khedive Isma’il Pasha. Trading interactions grew - by 1870s, 40% of Egypt’s imports were coming from Britain
Who was Khedive Isma’il pasha and what did he do?
He came to power in Egypt in 1863 and was committed to the process of modernisation. He was best known for his project of the cutting of the Suez Canal through Egypt
What was the benefit of the Suez Canal?
It helped British seafarers and merchants & those trading with India and china - the route to India was 6000 miles shorter than via the cape
What happened in 1875 to the Suez Canal and what was its effect?
- Isma’il who was facing debts, sought a buyer for his country’s share in the Canal for £4 million - Benjamin Disraeli (British PM) stepped forward. This intern gave Britain far greater control and an income from shipping tariffs. It also encouraged further interest in Egypt
What happened in 1879 during the establishment of British control in Egypt
Ismail was deposed in 1879 and tewfiq became the new khedive
What did william Gladstone do in 1882 in response to political tension in Egypt?
William Gladstone (British MP) sent British naval forces to bombard Alexandria where revolts and political tension was occurring and Europeans lost 50 lives. Hundreds of civilians were killed and residential areas were destroyed.
