Consolidation And Expansion Of The British Empire In Africa c1890-1914 Flashcards
Until the 1880s, how had the British acted in Africa?
The British largely established bases for their strategic value or for the purposes of trade.
This sometimes involved reacting to the initiatives of other powers - matching settlement by the French or Germans in particular by claiming the area where British traders had already established themselves.
From the 1890s, British policy in Africa became more assertive. Why?
Imperial attitudes changed.
The Conservative government was determined to uphold Britain’s position in every part of the world, this brought wars, and threats of wars, over Africa and ambitious programmes to consolidate the Empire.
When was the Conservative government elected?
1895
Between 1870 and 1914, how much (as a percentage) did European control in Africa change by?
1870 - 10% of Africa was under European control
1914 - Barely 90% was not under European control
10% to 90%
How did the British gain control of Ashantiland?
British demanded, in the early 1890s, that King Prempeh should turn over the remainder of his empire to the British as a protectorate - he refused.
This produced a fourth Anglo-Ashanti War in which Britain conquered the Ashanti territories and forced Prempeh from his throne in 1896.
When and what prompted the formal annexation of Ashantiland?
A final Ashanti uprising in 1900 led to the formal annexation of the kingdom.
Incorporated into the Gold Coast Colony in 1902.
How did the British establish their claim to Nigeria?
By virtue of occupation and by 1890 an agreement with the French, who agreed to recognise Britain’s domination of the area in return for Britain recognising the French claim to Madagascar.
The British assumed the responsibilities of the Royal Niger Company and established direct British control of North 1900, and South 1906.
How did Britain establish its influence in Zanzibar?
In 1890 Britain and Germany signed a treaty establishing spheres of influence in East Africa. Zanzibar was ceded to British influence.
Britain duly declared Zanzibar a Protectorate of the British Empire (1890) and installed its own ‘puppet’ Sultan.
What was the issue that the British faced in Zanzibar?
Following the mysterious death of Sultan Hamad at his palace in 1896 (amidst rumours of poison) and the accession of his cousin Khalid, without Britain’s blessing, there was a confrontation.
The British ordered him to stand down but he refused which resulted in the naval bombardment of the Sultan’s palace.
After just 38 minutes, Khalid was overthrown and pro-British Sultan Hamud placed on the throne of Zanzibar.
What was Buganda and what happened there?
(think hand over, treaty, becomes part of..)
King Mwanda of Buganda promised to hand over some of his sovereignty to the Imperial British East Africa Company in return for British backing.
In 1890 he signed a treaty with Lord Lugard on behalf of the Imperial British East Africa Company, ceding powers over revenue, trade and the administration of justice to the company.
The powers were transferred to the crown in 1894 and Buganda became a protectorate as a part of Uganda.
How long was the Uganda Railway, when did construction start, and how much did it cost?
660 miles of rail track (known as Lunatic Line)
1896, ordered by Chamberlain
£5 million to build
The Uganda Railway was created at the expense of the British taxpayer
It was justified by what reasons?
- Enabled access to new markets
- Encouraged colonial settlement
- Facilitated the export of both tea and coffee
- Stopped the need for slave porters to access the interior
- Protected the source of the River Nile against Britain’s potential enemies
- Promoted British tourism, particularly safari tours.
When did British interest begin in Kenya?
It dated back to the Berlin Conference, 1884-85, when it fell into Britain’s sphere of influence in East Africa.
Why was Kenya considered a useful territory?
Strategically important, it offered a route from the coast to Uganda.
What opposition did the British face in Kenya?
Sheikh Mbaruk bin Rashid took up arms against the British, obtaining weapons from the Germans. It took the British nine months to crush the opposition. Thus in 1895 they made it a protectorate.
How was the British interest in Sudan reignited?
In 1885, Salisbury became Conservative Prime Minister.
He believed that Egypt was vital to the security of Britain’s sea-route to India, hence Salisbury’s concern to reconquer at least parts of the Sudan.
Salisbury was also concerned about the interest of other European nations in Africa (in context of scramble for Africa)
When and what did Salisbury sign in an attempt to keep Britain’s rivals out of East Africa?
He signed a treaty in 1890 with the Germans whereby they agreed to take Tanganyika while the British took Kenya and Uganda.
What did Salisbury use as an excuse for a British campaign in Sudan?
Italian forces were defeated at Adowa in 1896 whilst trying to seize Abyssinia.
It could be sold to the public as a campaign to aid Italy and uphold European civilisation against African barbarianism.
It was also welcomed as an opportunity to avenge General Gordon.
Who was appointed to penetrate Sudanese territory?
General Kitchener was appointed Commander-In-Chief of the Egyptian Army in 1896.
He was ordered to go no further than Dangola but he went further to take Khartoum and conquer the whole region. (demonstrates power of men on the spot)
He won a resounding success at the Battle of Omdurman in 1898.
Why was this victory not the end of the campaign in Sudan?
Kitchener was given sealed orders by Salisbury to open after defeating the Sudanese.
He ordered him to go to Fashoda on the headwaters of the Nile - where a French expedition under Major Marchand had arrived.
How did the British press distort the conflict between the French and British in Sudan?
Both Kitchener and Marchand pressed their nation’s claims to the area (accusing the other of trespassing) but the meeting was not particularly fiery.
Press reacted strongly to this and suggested that Britain and France were on the brink of war.
Why did the French withdraw from Sudan?
Fortunately for Salisbury, the French government, facing internal problems and aware of the British army in the Sudan, signed an agreement of 1899 whereby the French promised to stay out of the Nile Valley in return for territory further west.
