2. imperial and colonial policy 1857-1890 Flashcards
1
Q
the colonial office
A
- established in 1801
- was responsible for policy decisions concerning the rule of overseas territories
- initially combined with the War Office, but later separated and functioned separately, showing the growing importance and development of Empire
- in 1854 it was divided into 5 departments:
2
Q
leadership of the colonial office
A
- was headed by a Cabinet minister given the title ‘Secretary of State for the Colonies’
- most politicians saw this as a step to greater things but few served terms longer than 2 years
3
Q
role of the colonial office
A
- had to cope with the demands of territorial acquisitions
- the work it undertook drastically increased, although the white settler colonies became more self-governing
- ‘orders in council’ were issued on the advice of law officers in London as a means of administering the Crown colonies without local consultation
- didn’t have responsibility for all British possessions, as some protectorates such as Egypt were under authority of the Foreign Office
4
Q
changes to the colonial office in 1858
A
- a separate India Office, with its own Secretary of State handled Indian and Far Eastern Affairs
- this reflected the importance of British involvement in India and the impact of the Mutiny which weakened British confidence
5
Q
administration in the white settler colonies following 1838 Durham report
A
- meant Britain moved towards a system of ‘responsible government’ in the settler colonies
- British governors ruled with the support of representative assemblies, appointing ministers who could command a majority
- adopted in Canada in the 1840s
- adopted in all but 1 of the Australian colonies in 1850s and in New Zealand from 1856
- Western Australia was included in 1890 and Cape Colony in 1872
- the West Indies remained under direct British rule as the number of voters was small
