Imperial and colonial policy (2) Flashcards
How was the colonial office setup?
5 departments o North America o Australia o West Indies o Africa and Mediterranean o General from 1870 Office headed by a Cabinet Minister with title ‘Secretary of State for the Colonies’
How was India different?
From 1858 a separate India Office with own Sec Of State
-Shows the effect of the Indian Mutiny, confidence was shaken
Early Indian administration?
Previously overseen by East India Company
Defended by EIC with an army of 275,000
In 1871 – first census – 236 million lived directly or in states protected by Britain
Government in India nearly as costly as government of Britain
1858 administrative control of India passed over the British Gov.
Government of India Act 1858
EIC territories in India passed to British Government
- Secretary of state positions created for India - received powers and duties
- A council of 15 members (Indian Council)
- Crown appointed a Viceroy to replace EIC governor general
- Indian civil service placed under control of Sec of S.
- In provinces, Viceroy represented by provincial governors with own legislative councils
- Raj employed 1000 British Civil Servants
How did the British try to improve upon the EIC rule?
- Greater respect for traditional Indian practices and customs
- Christian missionaries actively discouraged and British Gov accepted responsibility for promotion of education
- Development of public works’ schemes and transport e.g 3000 miles of railway added
- BUT for Indians there was little tangible difference – Englishmen ran the subcontinent, or local princes exercised power of behalf of the Raj
- 1858 – ‘Doctrine of Lapse’ – states fell under British rule after rulers’ line if descent ended.
At the same time however kept Indians without real power, Indian Civil Service made up of low level Bilingual Clerks
Indian Defence (1857-1890)
After 1858 conscious effort to strengthen the British Indian Army, at outbreak of mutiny - 1880s an army of 70,000 British and 125,000 natives
British to Indian troops ratio was 1:2
Railways added (3,000 miles of track in 1860s) following mutiny, helped swift movement of troops
Lord Canning (First Viceroy) set up an Imperial Police Force as extra layer of security and avoid over-reliance on the army.
Why did Britain begin to fear the other European powers?
- In 1871 - Germany united into a single country - central location and abundance of resources
- Russians - expanding their economy and huge land army, Trans-Siberian Railway 1891, advancing to Afghanistan
- French - Strong force, gaining a foothold in Indo-china
Brussels Conference
1876
King Leopold of Belgium - hosted conference of exporters and leaders from geographical societies across Europe
Desire to protect Belgian interests in the Congo
- Native Africans were incapable of developing resources in Africa
- An International African Association should be established to coordinate Europeans’ efforts
Heightened competition - became apparent Leopold intended to create a Congo Empire - would create Congo Free State in 1885 under complete control of Belgium
France extended its control from Senegal into Western Sudan in 1879
Portugal asserted its claims to control the mouth of the Congo River in 1884
The Berlin Conference
- 1884
- Establish ‘spheres of influence’
- Free trade in the basin of the Congo and River Niger
- Support for locals and suppression of slave trade
- Protect missionaries, explorers and scientists
- Further land grabbing had to be done with the notification of the other countries
- Principle of ‘Effective occupation’ est. = be recognised at the rightful ruler of that territory
- 90% of Africa taken by Europeans by 1900
- No African representation
- Little concern over natural boarder, ethnic, or religious divisions
Characteristics of Informal Empire?
Britain had no legal claim to these areas, but, Britain influenced them.
E.g economically by free trade agreements or British investment in the country - British public capital over £80m by 1865
Strong links led to sometimes areas becoming settled by British citizens and adopting English culture/language.
E.g Argentina, China
Example of Informal Empire - Latin America?
- Accounted for 10% of Britain’s exports and imports in the second half of the 19th century
- Charles Morrison created the Mercantile Bank of the River Plate in Argentina in 1881 and invested directly into the countries utilities
- Pressured Mexico in 1861 to keep access and free trade open
- Royal Navy threatened Peru and Chile in 1957 and 1863 to ensure compliance
Example of Informal Empire - China?
- Britain used its naval power to keep the trade of opium to China, treaty of Tientsin in 1858
- Gained control over trading bases in Shanghai and Hong Kong
- Opium War of (1857-1860) to keep its trade open
- Robert Hart was made part of the Chinese government in 1863 to protect British interests
- Britain gained access to Chinese markets
Change to formal examples?
Protectorates 1890 - Zanzibar 1894 - Uganda 1895 - British East Africa Formal annexation of the Sudan - 1898
Chartered companies?
Companies given status, legal right and privileges in specific areas
They prevented any rivals from challenging them
Many set up during 1880/1890s in Africa to help gain territory
Example of Chartered company?
North Borneo Trading Company (1881):
- Strategic: It was a midpoint between India and Hong Kong = trading goods more efficient
- International competition: Helped reduce threat of growing German and French interests
- Economic: resources e.g: coal, iron, copper, timber, tobacco/ coffee plantations
- Agriculture: to mine and cut wood
