Imperial Expansion Flashcards
When was the first navigation act passed & what did it say? Why was it introduced?
Passed in 1651 by the rump parliament — goods imported to England and its territories had to be on English ships
This was passed to remove the Dutch monopoly on freight trade across Northern Europe and North America
What else did the first navigation act require?
All crews of English ships had to be at least half English by nationality
When was the 2nd navigation act passed and what did it establish?
1660 — confirmed earlier legislation and rules and also banned exports, as well as imports from foreign ships, it also included a long list of goods, including tobacco and sugar which could only be shipped to England and her colones
What did the staple act require?
1663 — all goods shipped from the continent to the colonies had to pass through England
What impact did the stable act & navigation act have upon trade?
Became cornerstone of commercial expansion, imports and exports were protected and raw materials imported from the colonies could be re exported to the continents, resulting in more profit
What is the plantation duty act?
1673
Ensured that captains of English ships delivered specified goods to England only or face a financial penalty, meant that goods only came through England, no probate or personal gains
When was the east India company established? What was its makeup?
Established in 1600, made up on 242 merchants, their fleet sailed to India in 1601, with funds of 68,000 pounds and established a trading post at Batam, on the island on Java
In what year did the profits of the company exceed what? & what were annual profits
1688 - profits made by the east India company exceeded tobacco and sugar
1680s - annual profits were over 600,000
When did the east India company make loans to the crown?
10,000 pounds in 1660 and 50,000 in 1667
What trading post was established at Madras?
Trading post at Madras in India established in 1633, became centre of trade for calico textiles made from woven cotton
When did Charles II reinstate the charter for the east India company?
1660, granting its same privileges and returning capital assets worth £740,000 back to the company
How was the importance of the east India company highlighted?
It was highlighted in 1672, when it was given permission to mint coins in India, and in 1675, the mint began the production of the Indian rupee, all English subjects in Indian were subject to authority of the company, and a private army was created to protect English citizens and trading interests
When was the Jamestown colony established? What did it mark the beginning of?
Established in 1607, named after James I, this marked the beginning of a lucrative tobacco trade with England
Tobacco was not as valuable as gold, but became first cash crop (a crop that is considered to be easily profitable) and was exploited by the English gentry
How was tobacco an important part of life in the colony?
In 1669, crimes of adultery and fornication were punished in Virgina with a fine of up to 1,000lbs of tobacco
What were the maximum proposed imports of tobacco to England in 1620 & 1638
1620 — 55,000lbs
1638 — 1,600,000lbs
How many lbs of tobacco where being exported from North American colonies by what year?
By 1700, 22million lbs of tobacco were being exported from North American colonies
What were the key successes of British expansion in the Caribbean?
Early Expansion: Bermuda occupied (1612), Montserrat, Barbados, and Antigua colonized.
Sugar Production: Christopher Codrington established the first sugar plantation in 1674.
Naval Growth: Cromwell’s Grand Western Design (1648-59) led to a stronger navy (109 ships built, 111 captured).
Jamaica Seized (1660): Became a sugar colony, also producing cocoa and coffee.
Slavery Expanded: Slave population in Jamaica grew from 7,000 (1670) to 55,000 (1713).
Treaty of Madrid (1670): Spain recognized English Caribbean holdings and allowed free sailing
: What were the main reasons for Anglo-Dutch rivalry between 1625-1688?
Trade & Economic Competition: Dutch controlled a significant portion of European trade and shipping.
Navigation Acts (1651, 1660, 1663, 1673): Limited Dutch access to English markets.
Colonial Expansion: England and the Dutch competed for colonies, especially in North America and the Caribbean.
Religious & Political Tensions: England’s monarchy clashed with the Dutch Republic’s republican government.
English Fishing Grounds: 1/5 of the Dutch population depended on fishing, and England tried to control the North Sea fisheries.
What caused the First Anglo-Dutch War, and what were its outcomes?
(1652-1654)
causes – Dutch refused to salute English ships in the English Channel.
Navigation Act (1651) angered the Dutch by restricting their trade
outcome – Treaty of Westminster (1654):
Dutch had to acknowledge the Navigation Act.
William III was blocked from becoming ruler of the Dutch Republic (to prevent a Stuart alliance)
What caused the Second Anglo-Dutch War, and why did England lose?
Causes:
England captured New Amsterdam (renamed New York, 1664).
Dutch counterattacked English trade routes
events – Dutch navy outperformed the English.
England suffered due to the Great Plague (1665) and Great Fire of London (1666)
outcome – Treaty of Breda (1667): Dutch retained key trade routes; England kept New York.
English economy was weakened, while Dutch shipping remained strong
What was the outcome of the Third Anglo-Dutch War?
Causes:
Treaty of Dover (1670) allied England with France against the Dutch.
England wanted more control over European trade.
Events:
England suffered heavy naval losses.
War became unpopular in England due to high costs.
Outcome:
England withdrew from the war in 1674.
Treaty of Westminster restored the status quo.
Dutch maintained dominance in trade, while England shifted focus to colonial expansion
Why did the Anglo-Dutch rivalry decline after 1688?
Political Alliance: William III of Orange became King of England in 1688 (Glorious Revolution).
Common Enemy: England and the Dutch united against France under Louis XIV.
Trade Cooperation: The two nations focused on limiting French economic expansion.
Military Alliance: English and Dutch fleets worked together in later conflicts.
How did triangular trade benefit the Stuart economy?
By 1700, 120,000 slaves mainly in Jamacia and Barbados, huge profits
Royal African company 1672 – Britain dominated slave trade, had right to levy its own army, set up military bases and trading posts
Ports in Liverpool and Bristol became centres for slave trade
