Imperial and Colonial Policy 1857-90 Flashcards
What is liberalism?
A political doctrine based on liberty, consent of the governed and equality.
What is a cabinet minister?
One of a committee of senior ministers responsible for controlling government policy.
What were settler colonies?
Colonies characterised by white settlers and the violent removal and exploitation of indigenous peoples. These later became known as dominions.
What were the 6 departments of the Colonial Office in 1870?
1) North America.
2) Australia.
3) West Indies.
4) Africa.
5) Mediterranean.
6) General.
What was democracy like in Britain in 1884?
Around two thirds of British men over the age of 21 could vote.
What was the title for the head of the Colonial Office?
Secretary of State for the Colonies or Colonial Secretary.
What was the role of the Colonial Office?
Deal with territorial acquisitions and its consequences. They did not have to deal with all overseas colonies, as some were under the Foreign Office (e.g. Egypt).
What was the role of the India Office?
To deal with all Indian and East Asian affairs (est. 1858).
What was a Crown Colony?
A colony ruled directly by an appointee of the British Crown and accountable to the Colonial Office. They were often deemed as incapable of ruling themselves due to their indigenous-majority population.
What was ‘responsible government’?
A system of government similar to that in Britain, with areas having their own government ministers answering to individual elected parliaments. This was seen mainly in settler colonies, such as Canada, Cape Colony, New Zealand, etc.
What was the British East India Company?
A company who had been granted with a monopoly over English trade in Asia in 1600. It ruled India until 1857, and was aggressively expansionist, increasing British influence in India through annexations and conquest.
What is a monopoly?
An exclusive right to control trade.
What were sepoys?
Indian soldiers serving in the East India Company Army.
How many Indians were under British rule in 1871?
The first Indian census of 1871 indicated at least 236 million Indians were under British rule.
What were the 3 main consequences of the Indian Mutiny (1857-1858)?
1) The brutal and violent retaliation by the British.
2) Thousands of deaths.
3) The British government took control of India from the East India Company through the Government of India Act 1858.
What were the 5 main features of the Government of India Act (1858)?
1) The East India Company’s territories were passed to the Queen and the Company ceased to exist.
2) The creation of the position of Secretary of State for India, with the powers of the former East India Company directors.
3) A council of 15 members (the India Council), with experience of Indian affairs, were appointed to assist the Secretary of State for India and act as as advisory body.
4) The Crown appointed a Viceroy to replace the EIC’s Governor-General.
5) The Indian Civil Service was placed under the Secretary of State for India.
What is a viceroy?
A ruler exercising direct authority on behalf of the sovereign.
When was Queen Victoria made Empress of India?
1 January 1877.