1.2 - Imperial and Colonial policy

Question 2

What was the Colonial Office?

Answer 2

Established in 1801, initially combined with the war office, functioned separately from 1854, divided into 5 departments, headed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies

Departments included North America, Australia, the West Indies, Africa, and the Mediterranean, with a General department from 1870.

Question 3

Who were the longest-serving Colonial Secretaries between 1857 and 1890?

Answer 3

• Duke of Newcastle (1859-64)
• Earl of Kimberly (1870-4)
• Earl of Carnarvon (1874-8)
• 15th Earl of Derby (1882-5)
• Lord Knutsford (1887-92)

Most colonial secretaries served for only a few years.

Question 4

What were ‘Orders in Council’ used for?

Answer 4

‘Orders in Council’ were issued on the advice of law officers in London for administering Crown colonies without local consultation

This method reflected a lack of local governance.

Question 5

What colonies were granted ‘Responsible Government’?

Answer 5

• Canada (1848)
• Newfoundland (1855)
• New South Wales (1855)
• Victoria (1855)
• New Zealand (1856)
• Tasmania (1856)
• South Australia (1857)
• Queensland (1859)
• Cape Colony (1872)
• Western Australia (1890)
• Natal (1893)

These were primarily white settler colonies.

Question 6

What was the significance of the Durham Report in 1838?

Answer 6

It led Britain to move towards responsible government in white settler colonies

This report influenced the governance structure in these colonies.

Question 7

How was India governed after the mutiny of 1857?

Answer 7

The East India Company handed control of India to the British government, which dissolved the company

This marked a significant shift in governance.

Question 8

What were the key terms of the Government of India Act (1858)?

Answer 8

• EIC’s territories passed to the Queen
• Creation of Secretary of State for India
• Appointment of an Indian Council of 15 members
• Crown appointed a Viceroy
• Indian Civil Service under Secretary of State

These changes centralized power under the British Crown.

Question 9

How was India administered from 1858?

Answer 9

• Viceroy ruled with a legislative council
• Provincial governors represented the Viceroy
• District Officers oversaw local councils
• Senior posts in the Indian Civil Service were predominantly held by whites

This structure maintained British authority while incorporating limited local governance.

Question 10

True or False: The Queen became Empress of India in January 1877.

Answer 10

True

This title signified the British Crown’s authority over India.

Question 11

What changes were made to the defense of India after 1858?

Answer 11

• EIC’s armies under Crown control
• Increased British troops ratio
• Regiments mixed to prevent unity
• Greater number of Gurkhas and Sikhs enlisted
• Indian troops denied officer rankings
• Introduction of armored gun trains
• Garrison built in major cities

These measures were taken to prevent rebellion and ensure British dominance.

Question 12

What were the economic threats to the British Empire between 1870-1890?

Answer 12

• High duties from industrial rivals
• Economic depression starting in the 1870s
• Failing profits and unemployment

These factors threatened Britain’s global trading position.

Question 13

Why did Germany pose a threat to the British Empire?

Answer 13

• United in 1871
• Powerful military after defeating France
• Sought to acquire its own empire
• Expansion in SW Africa threatened Cape Colony

Germany’s ambitions and military strength posed a significant challenge to British interests.

Question 14

What was the French threat to the British Empire?

Answer 14

• Recovery from political upheaval
• Naval building program
• Expansion in Indo-China and Africa
• Desire to regain prestige post-Franco-Prussian War

France’s ambitions in Africa and Asia threatened British colonial interests.

Question 15

Fill in the blank: The British East India Company’s rule in India lasted until _____.

Answer 15

1858

This year marked a significant shift in governance.

Question 16

What was the role of bilingual Indians in the British administration of India?

Answer 16

They were recruited as low-level clerks to act as intermediaries between the British elite and the native population

This recruitment was part of a strategy to manage local governance.

Question 17

What was a significant territorial development for Russia in the 1870s that posed a threat to the British Empire?

Answer 17

Accumulation of large areas of territory in central Asia, bringing Russia closer to Afghanistan

This was seen as a direct threat to the British Raj.

Question 18

What did Russia plan to conquer that threatened British interests in Egypt and the Suez Canal?

Answer 18

Parts of the Ottoman Empire, particularly the Turkish states and Constantinople

Russia’s victory over Turkey in the 1877-8 war heightened British concerns.

Question 19

Approximately how large was Russia’s population in 1870?

Answer 19

77 million

This large population could potentially support a significant military force.

Question 20

What was a key economic characteristic of Russia during the imperial expansion period?

Answer 20

Economically backward but beginning to expand industrially

This allowed Russia to dominate markets in Asia, particularly in Persia and the Far East.

Question 21

What major infrastructure project did Russia undertake that was perceived as a military threat to British India?

Answer 21

Trans-Caspian Railway

The railway was seen as a means to transport troops to Afghanistan.

Question 22

True or False: The mountainous nature of Afghanistan reduced the intensity of the threat Russia posed to British India.

Answer 22

True

The Himalayan mountains also blocked other potential routes to India.

Question 23

What was one of the responses of Britain to Russian expansion in the late 19th century?

Answer 23

Annexation of territory in Malaya from 1874

This was a reaction to French activity in Indo-China.

Question 24

In what year did Britain invade Afghanistan to establish control over the Amir?

Answer 24

1878

This invasion effectively set up a British protectorate, reducing Russian influence.

Question 25

What was the main focus of the Brussels Conference held in 1876?

Answer 25

To protect Belgian interests in the Congo and highlight available land in Africa

It drew attention to the competition among European powers for African territories.

Question 26

What did the General Act of the Berlin Conference establish regarding European claims to land in Africa?

Answer 26

The principle of ‘effective occupation’

A European power could assert a claim to land that was ‘effectively’ occupied.

Question 27

What was the outcome of the Berlin Conference for indigenous populations in Africa?

Answer 27

No African representation and little regard for their concerns

The conference focused on European interests and territorial claims.

Question 28

What characterized Britain’s ‘informal empire’?

Answer 28

Areas influenced by Britain without legal claim, often through economic means

This allowed Britain to exert power globally without the costs of direct governance.

Question 29

What treaties granted the British trading bases in China?

Answer 29

Treaties of Nanking (1842) and Tientsin (1858)

These treaties established British settlements governed by British laws.

Question 30

How did Britain influence the Sultanate of Zanzibar in East Africa?

Answer 30

Through the activities of trader John Kirk

A British government was established, making the Sultan’s first minister British.

Question 31

What was the significance of the Treaty of Gandamak for Britain in Afghanistan?

Answer 31

Secured strategic territorial gains and control over Afghanistan’s foreign policy

This was a result of the threat of a full invasion in 1879.

Question 32

Fill in the blank: By 1900, _______ of Africa was in European hands.

Answer 32

90%

The Berlin Conference triggered a scramble for territory across Africa.

Question 33

What role did Robert Heart play in British interests in China?

Answer 33

Head of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs office

This position was to protect British interests in China.

Question 34

What was the impact of British investment in Argentina during the late 19th century?

Answer 34

Construction of hundreds of miles of railways and strong influence on business

British citizens lived an elite lifestyle in Buenos Aires, importing goods like mutton and beef.