Imperial Attitudes 1857-1890 Flashcards
What departments oversaw the British Empire?
- Policy decisions regarding Empire lay with the elected government and a separate Colonial Office had been established to deal specifically with Empire. (formerly established in 1801 but functioned separately from 1854)
(- a separate office for India was established in 1858 after the Indian Mutiny) - Office was headed by Colonial Secretary
Dominions/settler colonies and their governing
- Dominions = where white-settlers were of a substantial representation
- 1838 Durham Report established Canada, NZ, Australia to be Dominions
- Dominions elected their own assemblies and ministers
What was informal empire?
= Places influenced by Britain
- usually economically, via free trade agreements or by British investment in the country.
- British influence also derived from commerce, financed by British capital, carried in British ships and providing profits for British companies, bankers and insurance firms
Informal empire Latin America?
Commercial agreements and British investment influenced Latin America, in particular Chile, Argentina and Mexico.
- British public capital in Latin America stood at over £80 million.
- 10% of British exports went to Latin America in 1865.
Other countries brought under British influence via free trade agreements?
Iran
Siam (Thailand)
The weak Chinese empire also under British Influence?
- Began with Britain’s need to sell opium to China to finance BEIC. Forced to make concessions to Britain, who used her naval power to threaten attempts to disrupt opium trade from India to China.
- Treaties of Nanking (1842) and Tientsin (1858), which were after both Opium Wars, ensured Britain gained trading bases, for example in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Settled with British people and governed under British law.
- 1863 – Robert Hart appointed head of Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs Office. Acted as branch of gov. with purpose of protecting British interests. Parts of China joined British informal empire and British gained unhindered access to Chinese markets.
How did Britain uphold infomal empire in latin america?
used naval force in making sure informal empire upheld free trade treaties in Latin America.
- In 1861, Britain put naval pressure on Mexico to maintain trade.
- In 1857 and 1863, Peru and Chile (respectively) had naval threat to ensure compliance.
Why/which territories of strategic importance fell under British influence?
erritories of strategic importance also fell under British influence due to diplomatic pressures and appointment of key advisers.
- Sultanate of Zanzibar in East Africa, on coast of Indian Ocean, placed under British influence due to work of John Kirk. In 1891, British established a government there with John Kirk as Minister.
- In Afghanistan, Treaty of Gandamak of 1879 provided British key strategic locations and control of foreign policy.
What does informal empire show us about the British reasons and/or justifications for Empire?
- British used empire for their own benefit, British had no ultimate control and were able to enjoy influence without responsibility.
Why were explorers important to Empire?
- Explorers like David Livingstone, John Kirk, Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke became household names.
- Their exploits were well published by missionary press and were eagerly read by British public.
- Helped open up the interior of Africa by producing maps and publishing their findings. - Made Empire appear exciting.
David Livingstone (EXPLORER) (most famous)
- Began travels as a missionary doctor in South Africa, 1841. Explored deserts, lakes and rivers. Named infamous ‘Victoria Falls’. Crossed continent from West to East before returning to Britain and publishing books, conducting lectures at Cambridge University and recounting geography, mineralogy, diseases and languages he’d seen abroad.
- Received funding from British government in 1858 to return to Africa and ‘try to open up a path for commerce and Christianity’.
- Portrayed as a martyr who saved Britain when he was lost and found by Henry Stanley in 1871.
John Kirk (EXPLORER)
- Helped explore waterways with Livingstone. Appointed chief medical officer for his Zambezi expedition. Collected many aquatic specimens which he wrote about and sent back to Britain.
- Returned to Africa in 1868 as medical officer and Vice-Consul of Zanzibar, which he helped keep as a client state of Britain. Initiated British treaties that ensured Sultan outlawed Zanzibar’s slave trade and with British aid, commerce grew.
Sir Richard Burton (EXPLORER)
- Adventurer in 1850s famous for stories of Muslim life and mannerisms. Took visits to Islamic cities such as Mecca, where no western Christian had ever been. Took expeditions in Somaliland in 1855 and Zanzibar in 1857 & 1858. Competition between John Speke after he contracted malaria led to both debating source of Nile, which Speke thought to be Victoria Falls.
- Speke’s death made this impossible and Burton eventually went on to write several books and volumes about his exploration in Africa, particularly Western. Produced various translations of texts such as the Kama Sutra. Wrote essays on pornography, homosexuality and sexual education of women.
Why were Christian missionaries important to Empire?
- Missionaries helped open up territories to British rule by penetrating beyond colonial frontiers (for example, into the Congo in Africa or inland China in the 1880s) by establishing links with indigenous communities. Shared their geographical and strategic knowledge with the chiefs and British authorities.
- Wanted to open up the world to Christianity, saw populations amongst whom they worked as ‘in need’ of saving from ignorance and moral poverty. Contributed to imperialistic and jingoistic views in Britain, as many believed natives benefitted.
- They criticised imperial politics but weren’t starkly opposed to concept of imperialism. Helped increase economic and material prosperity for people in regions, advanced imperialism by consolidating or staking claims to territory thus extending Britain’s commercial reach.
Methodist missionaries
By middle of the 18th century, Wasylena missionaries had set up ‘Conferences’ to oversee missions in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
- Those from Australia helped establish ground for British rule in Fiji, 1874.
- South African conference similarly established in 1882.
- In 1883, John Mackenzie put pressure on British government to establish protectorate over Bechuanaland.
- Missions also established in China and India from 1850s and West Indies in 1885.
Key female missionaries?
- Mary Slessor aimed to end practice of killing twins in Calabar, Nigeria.
- Mary Carpenter worked to improve female education in India when she travelled there in 1866.
Missionary clashes?
Missions also clashed between one another at times, with natives or even colonial rulers. Therefore, it sometimes delayed British rule by prolonging annexation and challenging imperial authority. Some Christian missionaries provided focus for opposition to colonial rule.
Why were traders important to empire?
Traders had an important role to play in the development of attitudes to Empire. Once commercial enterprises had established a foothold somewhere, British administration often followed.
(- East India Company led way towards British control of India and commercial exploits of Cecil Rhodes, William Mackinnon and George Goldie established British growth in Africa in 19th century. Protected British interests.)
