british empire 1857-1914 Flashcards
1
Q
What happens to british policy in africa from 1890?
A
- becomes more assertive
- previously private chartered companies had been used to occupy and administer territory
- from 1895, conservative government determined to uphold Britain’s position abroad - brought wars over Africa
- new territories taken to prevent the advance of rival European imperial powers
2
Q
examples of British expansion in Africa 1890-1914
A
- Transvaal 1877 (initial acquisition), integrated into British Union of South Africa in 1902
- Egypt + Sudan 1882 (initial acquisition), 1899 Sudan into Condominium, Egyptian protectorate est 1914
- Southern Nigeria 1884 (initial acquisition), Royal Niger company rule converted to British colony in 1906
3
Q
west african territories added
A
- Ashantiland: grew tired of repeated skirmishes throughout 1800s, british demand their king (prempeh) turned over his empire. he refuses, war breaks out and they annex the land in 1900
- Nigeria: RNC hand over to Government in 1906 (effective occupation allows them direct control)
They unite North and South in 1914 for economic reasons (North spent too much and South had budget Surplus)
4
Q
east african territories added
A
- Zanzibar: 1890 Britain + Germany sign treaty giving Britain Zanzibar protectorate. Installed puppet ruler but when he dies a new ruler (khalid) appointed without their consent. shortest war (38 mins) take place and he is killed.
- Uganda: 1894, all powers transferred to the crown from British East Africa Company after country faced civil war. British create Ugandan railway in 1896 to connect coast with fertile land in lake victoria. consolidated their formal takeover of east africa protectorate + uganda -> it linked both with the indian ocean
East African Protectorate (Kenya)
- 1895
- Strategic Value, offered route to Uganda so Lunatic Line could be built
Somaliland
- Protectorate in 1888
- Strategic value due to position on the Horn of Africa
5
Q
The Ugandan Railway
A
- 1896
- 650 miles of railway track
- £5 million to build
- killed 2500 labourers in accidents + diseases
- Colonial secretary Chamberlain + tory govt support
- Said it enabled new market access, facilitated exports, protected British tourism (safari tours)
- became known as the ‘lunatic line’, difficulties encountered during production
- linked colonies (Uganda + East Africa Protectorate) with Indian ocean and each other
- ran from Mombasa to Lake Victoria
6
Q
Peripheral theory of imperialism
A
- claim that imperialism was centred around the desire for free trade
- argues that Britain only expanded into formally controlling when the political situation would not permit informal control of trade or when British interests were threatened
7
Q
why was sudan so important to britain by 1885?
A
- madhist revolt 1881 had left area in weakened state with internal unrest + famine
- salisbury (tory pm 1885) believed egypt + sudan vital to security of sea route to india
- also worried by other EU nations interest in africa. fear of french/ german threat to nile (vital to egypt welfare)
- salisbury’s campaign sold as british aiding italy (after their defeat in Abyssinia) and so upholding european civilisation of Africa
- also said to avenge their martyr Gordon
8
Q
What was the Fashoda Incident?
A
- general Kitchener given orders to invade in 1896, as far as Dongola. he wanted to go further, takes khartoum in 1898.
- In 1898, then ordered by Salisbury to go to fashoda, where french troops had arrived under Marchand. they both stake claims to land but meeting is peaceful. British press react claiming to be on ‘brink of war’.
- 1899, Britain and France come to agreement (france gets more territores in west africa)
- 1899 Sudan is condominium
Kitchener becomes first governor general of Sudan - 10,000 sudanese dead to 48 British, they used heavy machine guns as show of power.
9
Q
South african territories added
A
- Rhodesia: rhodes established presence in south zambesia. becomes rhodesia in 1895
- Nyasaland: opened up by Livingstone. British interest met by portuguese + arab attacks. not until 1891 do they gain control.
10
Q
Significance + takeover of Cape Colony
A
- Gold found in Transvaal, richest country in south Africa. Threatens balance of power between Brits and Boers
- 1890s: British decide they want to confederate South Africa, advocated by Cape Prime Minister (Cecil Rhodes).
- to counter German territorial gains + Boer confidence
11
Q
The Boer War
A
The Boer War 1899-1902
How for was the British govt responsible?
- Milner (governor to cape colonies) initially offered a 5 year compromise (from 14) at the Bloemfontein conference in 1899. Though he was already dead set on war.
- this was denied → realised Boers wouldnt be reasoned with. Believed military action was necessary.
- Convinced of superiority over Africans
- 1886, Gold discovered in Transvaal. Rhodes and Chamberlain worried about Britain’s influence in area.
- war commences after kruger’s ultimatum demanding British withdrawal of troops. October 1899 of his policies.
- Many organised groups (newspapers like the Primrose League) support Milner. Mix of opinions (even Chamberlain wary of his policies)
- British press were a factor: pro-imperialism, conservative values.
- mine owners: ‘rand millionaires” were against kruger’s treatment of Uitlanders (essential labourers, however they prefered peace and profit).
- Salisbury: didn’t want war, critical of milner’s stubbornness at bloemfontein conference.
- Kruger: convinced Britain wanted to end Transvaal independenence, believed war was inevitable, started arming, convinced he would win.
12
Q
How do the British win + effects
A
- Kitchener: “scorched earth policy’ involved incinerating Boer livestock.
- Interned Boer families and Africans in camps. 115,000 living in them by end and many women children died in them.
- In the camps diseases like Typhoid Scurvy spread.
- By 1901: 3156 fatalities (children).
- 20,000 die in camps.
- British weren’t trying to exterminate Boers, huge mismanagement.
- Epidemics spread easily 16,000 British soldiers also died).
- Humanitarians, liberals ana socialists in Britain described use as ‘methods of Barbarianism”
- Dragged on for 3 year, involved 400,000 troops and cost £230 Million. Saw 22,000 British troops killed to just 6,000 Boer. MAJOR CONFIDENCE SHAKE
- Black week: suffered humiliating defeats in December 10-15th in places like colenso.
13
Q
More effects of boer war + end
A
Photographer EMILY HOBHOUSE takes photos and reports back to public.
* Boers fought Geurilla → raided outposts etc
* By November 1901. Chamberlain ordered that any steps to reduce deaths be taken.
* Purposely did not arm africans. Both Boes + British feared consequences of mass militarisation of Blacks.
TREATY OF VEREENIGING granted Boers £3 Million compensation to restore farms.
* British annex Transvaal + orange free state
+ give them SUZERAINTY
* Use of Dutch allowed in schools + courts.
They dealt with the Boers SOFTLY. They needed them for economic reasons !!!
1909 African Act:
* United Orange Free State, Transvaal, Cape Colony and Natal.
In 1910 they voted for the establishment of the UNION of South AFRICA a DOMINION (AUS, CANADA)
* The shortcomings of the round up in Britain for troops brought forward problems in National efficiency: Britain needed to worry about its own population.
14
Q
Imperial and colonial policy: INDIA
A
- 1909, new form of rule introduced: VICEROY and INDIAN CIVIL SERVICE (white, oxbridge)
- their job was to ensure that rule was secure and natives were content
- MOST IMPORTANT: INDIA HAD TO STAY POFITABLE
- due to small workforce, required collaboration of the natives
- as India modernised, there was extension of railways and increased education
- there was economic and social development, eg INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS 1885
- the ICS used divide and rule policy -> divisions of race, religion, class. this solidified their authority
- the British allowed some representation in councils, but assured they remained superior by exploiting divisions and emphasising an Anglo-Indian elite
- Despite some nationalism, most elites accepted British values
15
Q
Viceroy Curzon
A
1899-1905
- mindful of growing criticisms from middle class
- especially INC, they criticised heavy taxation
- pressure from social groups ‘the servants of India’
- he introduced the pound to eliminate Indian identity
- founded the ‘imperial cadet corps’ to give princes military training
- he reformed universities, lowered taxes and introduced the ‘gold standard’, ensuring a stable currency
16
Q
Partition of Bengal
A
- July 1905, Curzon decided to divide Bengal into two:
Muslim majority of EAST Bengal + ASSAM
Hindu majority of West Bengal
- officially claimed to be a ‘reduction of administrative burden’ and relief with famine and more attention to remote areas
- really it was to weaken the nationalist movement, divide and conquer
- caused uproar among Hindu elite who leased land in east to poor Muslims
- they saw it as payback for criticisms of the British, caused strikes and boycotts
- the Muslim elite supported and formed the ‘ALL INDIA MUSLIM LEAGUE’ in 1906 to safeguard their rights.
- reunited in 1911 and the All India Muslim League adopted self- governance as its goal, rise of nationalism
17
Q
Morley-Minto Reforms
A
- Viceroy Minto (1905-10) and John Morley (sec. of state for India)
- encouraged by new liberal govt from 1906
- introduced programme of reforms in 1909 to appease Bengalis
- Indian Councils Act 1909 enabled 27 Indians to be elected to viceroy’s council, they assisted in legislation
- allowed educated Indians to be involved
18
Q
Viceroy Hardinge
A
1910-1916
- used King George’s visit in 1911 to reunite Bengal
- moved the Indian capital from Calcutta to Delhi, (Muslim stronghold)
- George V was the first and only monarch to visit the Raj, GRAND DURBAR IN 1911 as show of imperial brilliance
- New Delhi designed magnificently to show possibilities
- Indian population mostly accepted and supported British efforts during WW1, though Hardinge involved them into it without consultation first
