Empire Topic 1 - Pax Britannica - Trade Importance of British Ports Flashcards
(26 cards)
When was Singapore acquired?
1824
Why was Singapore needed?
- After Charter Act 1813 EIC had control over trade with China.
- Could only trade with Hong’s which meant travelling throught Straits of Malacca, Dutch owned and full of pirates.
How did Singapore allow British to project power?
- Applied Gibralter theory, a harbour on a peninsula or island just off the coast which was easy to defend and could be resupplied by sea.
- Would allow them to project naval power in that area of globe.
How did Singapore keep trade routes open and provide access to markets?
- As Singapore allowed British to project power, pirates and control over oceans in area became less of a risk.
- Thus trade routes stayed open and could be used more, providing larger access to markets such as Opium.
How did British acquire Singapore?
- 1824 Anglo-Dutch treaty
How did profit in Singapore change 1819-1824.
- 400,000 Spanish Dollars to 11 million Spanish Dollars
When was Hong Kong acquired?
1841
Why was Hong Kong needed?
- Due to Chinese trade laws, British traders where restricted to Canton region.
- Pirates from Borneo and Singapore still a problem.
- China resisted Opium trade
How did Hong Kong allow British to project power?
- Acted as naval base for which Britain could project power over Pirates in Singapore and Borneo region and more importantly over China to protect Opium trade.
How did Hong Kong allow British to keep trade routes open and provide access to new markets?
- Kept trade routes open as acted as base to reduce piracy in region and stop Chinese interference in British trade.
- Thus provided access to new markets, Opium, as British now had power to trade with Chinese.
How did British acquire Hong Kong?
The Treaty of Nanking following the First Opium War.
How much Opium were Chinese importing by 1842?
2553 tons
How many were addicted to Opium in China 1842?
12 million
How did Chinese try to counter Opium trade?
Blockaded ports and burned 1000 tons of Opium in 1839.
How did Britsh respond to Chinese interfering in Opium trade?
7th January 1841 HMS Nemesis arrived in Anson’s bay and destroyed Chinese navy located there, then siezed Hong Kong.
How did population of Hong Kong change 1841-1900?
15,000 - 300,000.
Stipulations of the Treaty of Nanking
- Chinese would pay £6,000,000 for destroyed Opium
- Further £12,000,000 paid as reperations
- Hong Kong ceded to Britain in perpetuity
- Ports of Amoy, Foochow, NIngbo and Shanghai would be opened to Western Traders
- Britain could now set-up self governing settlements elsewhere and trade up Yangtze River
- France and USA were allowed to establish settlements
What were Opium imports by 1880?
6500 tons
When was Suez Canal Constructed?
1859-1869
How were shares of Suez Canal spread?
- 56% France, 44% Khedive
- Khedive’es shares later bought by Britain for £4,000,000 with dividends of 30%.
Distance of voyage between London and Mumbai before and after Suez canal.
12400 miles to 7250 miles
How many days of sailing time did Suez save?
23 days
What percent of shipping that used the Suez was British?
80%
When did British acquire Zanzibar?
1898
