Anti-Imperialism

Question 1

How did American Indepedence in 1776 contribute to anti-imperalism?

Answer 1

Despite losing direct control of America, Britain’s trade with America continued to expand and benefit the nation. This showed how economic prosperity did not require an empire and all the administrative difficulties that came with that.

Question 2

How did the Indian Rebellion of 1857 contribute to anti-imperalism?

Answer 2

It prompted a re-think of the empire since it showed that Britain was going to struggle to maintain hold of the colonies (since they would rebel). It also caused some to believe that certain peoples could not be westernised and hence there was no point trying to.

Question 3

What was the role of the Maori Wars (1860s) in promoting anti-imperialism?

Answer 3

The conflict between the settlers and indigenous peoples led to death of imperial forces and highlighted the difficulties in being able to govern a conquered nation.

Question 4

What concept did the Morant Bay rebellion in 1865 (Jamaica) reinforce?

Answer 4

The idea that some populations could not be anglicised

Question 5

What did William Gladstone (colonial secretary) say in regards to the British incapacity to peacefully rule its colonies?

Answer 5

There are “people to reduce to order whom we have not been able to keep in friendly relations”

Question 6

Who viewed the colonies as “milstones around our necks” that “will be independent too in a few years”?

Answer 6

Benjamin Disraeli (1852)

Question 7

Who said that as a result of possessing an empire, there were many “questions in so many deparments of government to manage”?

Answer 7

William Gladstone (1846)

Question 8

Which historian recognised that the retention of colonies “imposed heavy burdens on the mother country”?

Answer 8

Bodelson (1924)

Question 9

What did Palmerston famously say about trade and land?

Answer 9

“All I want is trade and land is not necessary for trade; we can carry on commerce very well on ground belonging to other people”

Question 10

Whose book sought to challenge the theory of mercantilism with free trade? Who developed his theory?

Answer 10

Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations (1776)

David Ricardo

Question 11

When was the Economist set up? What was its aim?

Answer 11

1843 - to promote free trade ideals

Question 12

What was Cobden’s view on trade in Britain? (Cobden was a leading economist in the 19th century)

Answer 12

He believed that trade was a “grand panacea” and that Britain would continue to attract trade without an empire so long as it offered an economic incentive. No amount of force (as present in an empire) would truly be able to counter the forces of the market (which would lead consumers to buy the cheapest quality goods)

Question 13

The abolition of what in 1846 showed the strength of the free trade argument?

Answer 13

The Corn Laws

Question 14

What were the navigation acts and when were they abolished?

Answer 14

Laws which insisted that all empire goods must be transported on empire ships. Abolished in 1849.

Question 15

When did Nova Scotia and Canada receive responsible government? Prince Edward Island? Newfoundland? New Brunswick?

Answer 15

Nova Scotia and Canada - 1848
Prince Edward Island - 1851
Newfoundland - 1854
New Brunswick - 1855

Question 16

What was Earl Grey’s recommendation about Britain’s military in 1846?

Answer 16

That most if the forces should be located in England rather than in the colonies. Settler colonies should provide for themselves.

Question 17

Due to anti-imperialism and free trade budgets, how much had Britain’s trade with the world increased from 1840 - 1860?

Answer 17

Tripled

Question 18

What were Britain’s main exports and imports? What does this show?

Answer 18

85% of exports were finished manufactered goods
65% of imports were raw materials
Showed the inter-dependency of Britain with the world for a functioning economic system (the empire did not suffice to provide/create such stability)

Question 19

What did the House of Commons Select Committee Report from 1865 advise?

Answer 19

To not extend any more territory in West Africa or assume government there.

Question 20

When did troops begin leaving New Zealand? By when had they all gone?

Answer 20

In 1864 (4 years into the Maori wars)
They are all withdrawn by 1870

Question 21

Which two places received responsible government in 1860?

Answer 21

New Zealand and Western Australia

Question 22

When did the Cape Colony start developing representative institutions?

Answer 22

1870

Question 23

What was the pertinent line in an Article from the Edinburgh Review of 1835 about the colony of Canada?

Answer 23

“Can any man give me one way in which Canada is useful for Britain?”

Question 24

List all the countries who came under British control between 1841-71, showing how this perhaps wasn’t an age of anti-imperialism

Answer 24

New Zealand, the Gold Coast, Labuan, Natal, Hong Kong, Punjab, Sind, Berar, Oudh, Lower Burma, Lagos, Sierre Leone, Basutoland, Griqualand, Transvaal and Kowloon

Question 25

What did Gallagher and Robinson argue shows that Britain is imperial in the 19th century despite territory concessions?

Answer 25

The presence of the informal empire
Ie. Britain exerts political control over states by virtue of the fact that these states are economically dependent on them. This included places such as South Africa.

Question 26

What do Gallagher and Robinson argue is the mantra of the Official Mind?

Answer 26

Informal empire where possible, formal empire where necessary
The Official Mind ie. politicians in Britain will always strive for British superiority and control

Question 27

What do Gallagher and Robinson argue drives the expansion of the formal empire?

Answer 27

Crisis at the periphery: rebellions/unrest, the challenge of other developed nations or a man on the spot
It is not driven by the politicians as they always seek British superiority regardless