AJP Taylor's Theory of Empire Flashcards
What were AJP Taylor’s criticisms of Hobson’s theory?
- He argued that the corrolation between overseas investment and the expansion of the empire did not prove causation
- He notably remarks how it was known that investment in colonies and areas would be economically ineffective. Hence why government intervention was for different reasons.
- Taylor also points out that Hobson’s theory is based off rationality: however, men and governments do not also act in a rational manner
What does AJP taylor argues is driving imperial expansion?
- Taylor places the emphasis on international rivalvries between European powers. Empire is a way for them to enact out a power struggle and evade direct confrontation/war
- In the 1870s/80s, Europe saw an imbalance of power which provoked imperial expansion
- Similarly, a smaller factor is that imperialism was seen as a good domestic policy to stoke up nationalist/patriotist support; Taylor gives the example of Bismarck to back this up
How can France and Britain’s rivalry be shown in the guise of imperalism?
- They competed over influence in Egypt through loans and investment mainly poured into the Suez. Taking Egypt in 1882 was a way to get one up on the French
- Lord Kitchner advanced on to Fashoda in 1898 in order to intimidate the expansionist French. This ‘Fashoda Crisis’ forced the French to withdraw from expansion in the Nile region
- The British government claimed that the Third Anglo-Burmese War (1885) was sollicited as the King of Myanmar had been giving France increasing influence there
How can France be used as an example of power over profit being the motivation for expansion?
France took much land in Northern Africa despite lots of it being in the desert and thus completely economically inefficient
How can France’s imperial expansion be seen as a response to European rivalry?
France began pursuing imperial interests in the wake of their defeat in the Franco-Prussian war 1870-71
It was their way of redeeming themselves domestically and internationally. They expanded into China, Burma and Siam following the war.
How can Britain’s rivalry with Germany be seen to be played out in Imperalism?
- In 1885, Britain took Bechuanaland so as to prevent a Boer-German link up following the German occupation of Southwest Africa the year previously
- Britain enaged in the Second Boer War (1899-1902). There were fears of increasing German influence in the Transvaal following the Krueger Telegram in 1895.
- In 1890, George Goldie transferred the territories of his Royal Niger Company to the British government in order to secure its control amid French and German protectorates
- In the mid-1880s, Britain was forced to back Mackinnon and his British East Africa Company as Bismarck was backing his rival Karl Peters. In 1894, they took control of East Africa when Mackinnon’s company failed even though this hadn’t been their initial intention
How did Bismarck’s opinion on empire change? How is this evidence to support Taylor’s theory?
In 1883, Bismarck switched to a positive pro-Imperial outlook. This supports Taylor’s theory as it shows and imbalance of power forming within Europe which is driving imperial expansion. It also highlights Bismarck carrying out the policy for domestic political backing.
How did Britain’s taking of Egypt mark an attempt to shift the balance of power in Europe?
It was a way to contend with threats such as Russia as well as Germany as the Ottoman Empire fell which had been such a dominant power in Northern Africa and Southern Europe.
How did Afghanistan serve as an international rivalry between Britain and Russia?
In 1878, the British demanded diplomats be allowed into Kabul because Russian ones had been allowed in. When this was refused, Viceroy Lytton of India was provoked and began the Anglo-Afghanistan wars. Afghanistan became a British suzerainity in 1879 - this shows how Britain cared about Afghanistan’s foreign policy especially.
What did Russia’s annexation of Merv and movement towards the Persian-Afghan border mean for Britain?
It provoked Britain who wanted to limit Russia’s power in the region. Gladstone thus threatened Russia which forced them to back off.
In 1911, what did Germany do in France’s Morroco? How does this relate to AJP Taylor’s theory?
They sent a gunboat Panther to the port of Agadir as a way to force French territorial concessions in Africa. This symbolised tensions between the nation being played out in France’s colonies.
