Britain & Africa

Question 1

What were the 4 key reasons for the establishment of the British Empire?

Answer 1

• Trade
• Strategy
• Religious Beliefs
• Competition

Question 2

Why did GB need the empire for trade?

Answer 2

They needed raw materials to develop their industry.

Question 3

How did GB trade with overseas colonies?

Answer 3

Colonising territories allowed Britain to acquire a steady, cheap supply of raw materials. Goods manufactured from these materials in Britain were then sold back to the colonies.

Question 4

How were overseas colonies enforced?

Answer 4

They were enforced by designated trade companies.

Question 5

Why were some territories strategically important?

Answer 5

Places such as Malta, Gibraltar and the Falklands provided important naval bases to guard sea lanes.

Question 6

What was the primary strategy behind colonising overseas?

Answer 6

It was necessary for Britain to conquer overseas to beat neighbouring European powers to it.

Question 7

Why was religion an important part of colonising?

Answer 7

British Christians wanted to spread the word of God abroad to “Christianise” what they saw as “uncivilised savages”.

Question 8

What was the role of Christian missionaries?

Answer 8

They travelled overseas and worked in hospitals, churches and schools, trying to convert the local people.

Question 9

What was the name of the Europeans’ overseas policy?

Answer 9

An Imperialist policy.

Question 10

Who were Britain’s main competitors in the African “land grab”?

Answer 10

France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal and Germany

Question 11

What were the strengths of the British Empire in 1857?

Answer 11

• Resources
• Trade
• Markets
• Strategic advantages
• Status

Question 12

What were the weaknesses of the British Empire in 1857?

Answer 12

• Size (difficult to enforce)
• Protection
• Cost
• Foreign rivalries
• Threats from indigenous people

Question 13

Why was Africa regarded with renewed interest by the 1880s?

Answer 13

European nations had recently undergone the industrial revolution which African leaders were not prepared for.

This made it easier for Europe to colonise a less technologically advanced Africa and exploit it for it’s resources which were needed to fuel European industry.

Question 14

What else had given European nations an advantage?

Answer 14

Travel and communications were now more plausible due to the introductions of railways, steamships and telegraphs.

Question 15

What policy had European nations adopted by the late 19th century?

Answer 15

They had adopted a policy of trade monopoly and colonial imperialism.

Question 16

What is the “Swing to the East”?

Answer 16

Britain were sent on a “Swing to the East” for colonies in Africa and Asia, following the loss of their colonies in America in the late 1700s.

Question 17

What was the primary reason for British expansion into Africa?

Answer 17

The opportunity of further trade inland due to the discovery of new routes. In the later 1800s, coal, iron and timber were needed to feed British industry.

Question 18

What was the cycle of dependency?

Answer 18

A cycle whereby: Britain exploited Africa to manufacture goods and sold them back to Africa. This occurred particularly in Europe’s “long depression” from 1873-96.

Question 19

Why was personal influence key to British expansion?

Answer 19

The growth of trade led to an increase in influence of British merchants such as George Goldie and Cecil Rhodes who discovered fame and fortune by capitalising on new African commodities.

Question 20

What strategic approach did Britain use in West Africa?

Answer 20

They built forts for protection in Sierra Leone and the Gambia.

Question 21

What was the advantage of the Cape Colony in South Africa.

Answer 21

The Cape Colony - seized by Britain in 1806 from the Dutch - held advantages over other harbours due to it’s deep water ports and temperate climate.

It gave Britain control over the sea routes leading to the Middle East, China, India etc.

Question 22

What was morality important to British expansion?

Answer 22

Victorian people held “strong moral principles” and in the 1860s, Christian missionaries such as David Livingstone saw it as their duty to spread Christianity in Africa.

Question 23

What was the role of explorers in British expansion?

Answer 23

Explorers located vast reserves of materials such as gold, palm oil and diamonds. By 1857, most of Africa had been added to European maps.

Question 24

What was the British approach in the mid-late 19th century?

Answer 24

The period between 1857 and 1890 was characterised by a British desire to protect their existing belongings which led to a formalisation of control.

Question 25

What British companies were set up?

Answer 25

The “Royal Niger Company”, “Imperial British East Africa Company” and “British South Africa Company” were chartered to implement British claims and exclude other nations.

Question 26

What was the situation regarding British control in 1980?

Answer 26

• Britain had few possessions in Africa
• Their largest area was in South Africa (Cape Coast and Natal)
• They had some claims in the Boer republics of Transvaal and Orange Free State
• Interior of Africa remained untouched
• Controlled some areas of West Africa - dependent colonies ruled by Britain with few settlers
• No colonies in North or East Africa. Trade agreement with the Sultan of Zanzibar was the extent of their influence

Question 27

What happened at the Berlin Conference?

Answer 27

The Berlin Conference (held by von Bismarck from 1984-85) allowed European leaders to lay claim to African territory - the scramble for Africa. Little regard was shown for the wishes and needs of the African communities.

Between 1880 and 1900, around 90% of Africa was seized by Britain, Germany, Belgium and France.

Question 28

How did British policy change in the 1880s?

Answer 28

Gladstone (Prime Minister) spoke of a policy of non-intervention in colonial affairs, but ordered the occupation of Egypt in 1882. This signalled the start of the European partition of Africa.