Imperial Attitudes 1890-1914 Flashcards
Where was British ‘Native Policy’ most successful?
Most successful form of ‘native policy’ was in Dominions, essentially independent and used for preservation of global power.
How was ‘native policy’ utilised in areas of Empire other than the dominions?
Idea that local elites used to facilitate British rule and uphold British interests. Those who supported British were given administrative positions, positions of power or material reward or sometimes even put in power, i.e. Sultan Hamad in Zanzibar.
How was ‘native policy’ involved in favouritism amongst groups?
Native policy’ also often involved favouring one group against another. British East Africa for example, Masai were favoured and rewarded with cattle and tokens of office. Buganda’s king maintain autonomy and chiefs were given land as reward for loyalty.
Why did British like/use ‘native policy’?
Cheap, maintained existing power structures and legitimised British authority.
How was British colonial policy affected by international relations? AT HOME : ‘splendid isolation’?
Preferred ‘splendid isolation’ after Napoleonic Wars, relying on status of army however challenged with alliances of Germany and Austria-Hungary in 1870 and Italy in 1882.
How was British colonial policy affected by international relations?
AT HOME: inability to maintain “two power standard”// imperial conference
Britain could no longer maintain ‘two power standard’ where it matched two strongest naval powers, instead settling for 60% margin of Germany. Talks of Dominion fleet at 1909 Imperial Conference. Imperial Conference of 1911 communicated vulnerability of Dominions without British maritime supremacy. South African government promised to commit troops in war.
How was British colonial policy affected by international relations?
AT HOME: British industrial power decreasing
British industrial power waning in 1900s and maintaining dominance amongst European powers became difficult → change of naval approaches to reliance on France for Egypt and Mediterranean interests and British interests towards mainland Europe
How was British colonial policy affected by international relations? FRANCE: Border issues//west africa
Border problems with French in West Africa. Nigeria agreed upon in 1898 as Lord Salisbury said interests of Royal Niger Company were in interest of Britain.
How was British colonial policy affected by international relations? FRANCE: sudan
Tried claiming Sudan in 1896. Fashola Incident of 1898 – tension yet resolved peacefully and Sudan recognised as British.
How was British colonial policy affected by international relations? FRANCE: Military agreement with Russia
Signed a military agreement with Russia in 1892 followed by alliance in 1894. Signed Entente Cordiale in 1904 with British but didn’t provide much security. Triple Entente signed between Britain, Russia and France in 1907.
How was British colonial policy affected by international relations? FRANCE: secret military conversations
Secret military conversations about Mediterranean and Middle East took place since 1905.
How was British colonial policy affected by international relations? FRANCE: moroccan crisis
Strength of British support tested in 1905 with Moroccan crises when Kaiser visited in 1905 threatening French interests, weeks of discussions resulting in British siding with French in Algeciras Conference. Kaiser sent warship to port of Agadir to ‘prevent French invasion’ in 1911 and British prepared royal navy for war. Kaiser gave way and sent Panther home.
How was British colonial policy affected by international relations? GERMANY: support for anti-british movements etc
Supported anti-British sentiments in Egypt by funding national parties, supported Boers in Boer War by sending telegram to Transvaal and supplied them with weapons after Jameson raid in 1897, financed railway construction from Constantinople to Baghdad forming warm relations with Ottoman Empire → seen as provocative in trying to establish foot in trade markets in India and counter Britain’s dominance of High Seas.
How was British colonial policy affected by international relations? GERMANY: spheres of influence
Spheres of influence organised between two in Eastern Africa, 1890. Uganda recognised as British and Upper Nile recognised as British.
How was British colonial policy affected by international relations? GERMANY: regarding Morocco
Clashes of 1905 and 1911 regarding Morocco → Germany questioned French interests in Morocco in 1905 and British sided with French, Germany sent Panther ship to prevent French invasion in 1911 and British prepared Royal Navy for war.
How was British colonial policy affected by international relations? GERMANY: Invasion of Belgium
German invasion of Belgium, who was neutral and Britain vowed to protect, led to ultimatum which Germany refused to respond to → World War I.
How was British colonial policy affected by international relations? RUSSIA: regarding Afghanistan
Constant tensions over Afghanistan. Treaty of Gandamak in 1879 established British foreign policy over Afghanistan. Conflict between Russia and Britain known as ‘The Great Game’
How was British colonial policy affected by international relations? RUSSIA: general threats in Afghanistan, Suez, Tashkent
Russian railway to Tashkent (close to Afghanistan) caused concern for British. Movement of troops near Afghanistan in 1900 when Britain was stretched by Boer War led to concerns. Threats near Mediterranean near Toulon and near Suez Canal → India.
How was British colonial policy affected by international relations? RUSSIA// triple entente
Russian defeat in war with Japan (1905) led to Triple Entente in 1907
What was the scramble for china?
- In 1890s, British commercial and financial interests challenged by other powers. Actual size of British trade with China was small and investment was only 1% of total investment abroad.
- In 1895, China was defeated by Japan. China agreed to pay Japan £30 million as part of peace agreements, only possible to be paid through borrowing. Frantic scramble to lend China money it needed, in return for ports, railways, banks, mining rights and control of customs revenues. Britain took control of some ports, Hong Kong and 2800 miles of railway concession. China was divided into spheres of influence with Britain controlling Yangtze valley - the commercial heartland.
