2. Imperial Consolidation And Liberal Rule c1890-1914 - Imperial And Colonial Policy Flashcards
What happened to the roles and responsibilities of the empire?
The colonial office continued to have overall responsibility for the empire, although the foreign office responsibility grew as the new African protectorates were placed under its jurisdiction, the war office and admiralty were responsible for external defence whilst the treasury controlled the purse
What was the problems of mixed authorities in the empire?
If there were disputes between these different departments, the cabinet had to be consulted high made decision making difficult
How was administration between India and Egypt similar?
They both upheld the Darwinist idea of European racial superiority and self rule was explicitly denied
What was Administration like in India under control of the Raj?
- British officials were appointed to maintain unrestrained power in the Indian Raj until 1909 - at their head was the Viceroy
- there were strict limitations on the size of the civil service due to costs
- economic and social development led to more British intervention in Indian life
- the Indian civil service acknowledged some degree of education Indian representation in reforms from 1892-1909 however managed to preserve British executive influence
What was the impact of the administration under the Indian Raj?
- India began to modernise with the expansion of railways and education due to them having more collaboration
- economic developments meant more money was raised through taxation
- the division between the educated Indians and the uneducated masses was exploited
What was the importance of Viceroy Curzon in the administration of India under the Raj?
- he supported reform due to growing criticisms of British rule from the Indian National Congress
- he also made changes to the civil service to improve efficiency such as founding the Imperial Cadet Corps in 1901
- he adopted the ‘gold standard’ to ensure a stable currency
- he is best known for for his attempt to divide the province of Bengal in 1905
What was the impact of the partition of Bengal 1905?
It produced an uproar among the Hindu elite who saw the partition as a pay-back for their criticisms of British rule and campaigns were led to develop a new strand of trident nationalism - Curzon attempted a counter however resigned in 1905 + the partition was reversed in 1911
Who led the campaigns against the partition of Bengal?
Surendranath Banerjee
What was the gold standard?
A system where the value of currency could be defined in terms of gold for which currency could be exchanged
Who was Surendranath Banerjee?
Twice president of the Indian National Congress
