1890-1914: Imperial and colonial policy

Question 1

Who controlled foreign affairs in Br

Answer 1

The Colonial Office, Foreign office as well as Indian Office for India

Question 2

Who were the Viceroys of India

Answer 2

1888-94 = Marquess of Lansdowne
1894-99 = Earl of Elgin
1899-1905 = Curzon
1905-1910 = Earl of Minto
1910-16 = Lord Hardinge

Question 3

How did Br rule India

Answer 3

Using the Indian Civil Service as well as divide and conquer between the educated elite and poor.

Question 4

What was Viceroy Curzon rule like

Answer 4

He was mindful of Indian demands and criticism from ‘middle class’ Indians who formed the INC in 1885. Resigned in 1905 after partition of Bengal

Question 5

Curzon socio-economic reforms

Answer 5

Curzon made changes such as Adapting gold standard
Appoint special commission to streamline administrative procedures Moved railway to its own board (adding 6000 miles of track) Appoint director general of archaeology
Splitting of Bengal 1905 <— unpopular as Hindus become minority

Question 6

Curzon defence of India

Answer 6

Shaped by a perceived threat of Russia expansion. Created North-West Frontier in 1901, by merging Afghanistan with Punjab. Chief commissioner hired allowing buffer zone along Afghan frontier.
Direct Br troops to push frontier to Chinese Sinkiang and in 1903-04 invaded Tibet

Question 7

What did Minto rule like

Answer 7

He was left to deal with failure of Curzon plans. Got help from John Morley, Secretary of State for India. Reforms in 1909 to appease Bengalis

Question 8

What were the Morley-Minto reforms

Answer 8

Indian Councils Act of 1909 enabled where 27 Indians to be elected from provincial constituencies. Though elections held on narrow franchise and often chosen by Br. Allowed for more Indian participation in government.
Morley replaced in 1910 by Hardinge

Question 9

What did Viceroy Hardinge do

Answer 9

He used King George V visit to India in 1911 as an opportunity to reunite Bengal in 1911. Moved Indian capital from Calcutta to Delhi (Muslim stronghold) to undermine Hindu groups.

Question 10

What did George V have in India

Answer 10

A durbar in 1911 to show power and pageantry to support the loyalty of Indian princely ruler. He declared war on India’s behalf in 1914. Indians population used in WW1 and Indian service raised hopes of a ‘new deal’ for India after the war.

Question 11

What was Egypt

Answer 11

A veiled protectorate

Question 12

When and what was the Aswan Dam

Answer 12

A dam built to hold back the Nile. Took 6 years to build at £2 million. Opened in 1902 allowing for crops to grow due to irrigation.

Question 13

3 (Cs) difficulties facing Br

Answer 13

Capitulations: Rules that privileged foreigners exempting them from Muslim-made laws.

Caisse de la dette: International commission had control over Egypt finances. So an example being them refusing financing to re-conquer Sudan.

Mixed Courts: Eu and Egyptian judges deal with cases involving both Eu and Egyptians. So not favour Br.

Question 14

What happened with the Fr

Answer 14

The Fashoda incident (1898). But in 1904 sign the Entente meaning Br get Egypt in return for Fr having Morocco

Question 15

Who was Evelyn Baring

Answer 15

British Consul-General who acted as ‘adviser’ to Khedive 1883-1907. His job was to regularise Egypt financial affairs.
To help pay off debt Baring cutback military while revitalised economy by investing in irrigation schemes. Also improve labourers and sanitation + health services.
He also reform army by putting Br troops and put in care of Kitchener.

Question 16

What formed in Egypt to oppose Br rule

Answer 16

A National Party who complained that Br gave lack of opportunities for educated Egyptians to home rule. So (al-Hizb-al-Watani) formed in 1881 revived in 1883 as underground movement.

Question 17

What happened in the Denshawai incident

Answer 17

In 1906 there was a clash between Br and Egyptian villagers. As Br officer was pigeon-shooting.
Pigeon were bred so villagers asked them to stop. A scuffle began and an officers’ gun went off and wounded the wife of Muslim prayer leader.
This would start a chase where the Br officer would collapse and die of the heat.
The Br blamed the Egyptian villagers brutally punished them

Question 18

Who succeeded Baring

Answer 18

1907-11 it was Eldon Gorst who try to make Egyptians more responsible in government to weaken National party. Also made tighter censorship of press 1909. German funded anti-British sentiment

Question 19

Who succeeded Gorst

Answer 19

After it was Kitchener in 1911-14. He was the hero of reconquering the Sudan. Tried to uncover the Nationalist groups stirring up trouble. Br dominance grew. And new Legislative Assembly replaced Advisory Council of Laws + General Assembly. Included the rich landowners then ordinary folks of Egypt

Question 20

What was Br native policy

Answer 20

It was more reactive based on time and circumstances. With self-government in colonies seen.

Question 21

Examples of Br native policy

Answer 21

Canada, Australia (1901), Newfoundland and New Zealand (1907). SA untied in 1910

Question 22

Another native policy example

Answer 22

Another method used was to befriends one group against another such as in BEA where Masai favoured over the Kikuyu.

Question 23

What happened to Br splendid isolation

Answer 23

Due to the 2nd Boer war Br realised it needed allies and that it was losing its 2 power standard.

Question 24

What alliances were happening during this time

Answer 24

Germany + Austria-Hungary
France + Russia

Question 25

What alliance did Br make

Answer 25

1902 alliance with Japan marking end of spendid isolation. They also allied with Russia and Fr with ‘Triple Entente’ in 1907

Question 26

What happened with the Moroccan crisis

Answer 26

After Gr leader Kaiser threatened Fr interest in Morocco claiming it was theirs, Br showed its resolve by urging the Fr to fight for their land. And so in 1911 prepared their Navy to threaten the Germans