Informal Empire - 1857 - 90

Question 1

How can informal empire be defined

Answer 1

Areas where Britain had no legal claim but still asserted influence - mainly economic through investment

Question 2

Name one area of informal empire

Answer 2

Latin America - Chile and Argentina

Question 3

In 1865, how much British capital was in Latin America

Answer 3

£80 million

Question 4

What percentage of British exports and imports came from and to Latin America

Answer 4

10%

Question 5

How did Britain assert authority in informal empire

Answer 5

By force/threat using the Royal Navy

Question 6

When did Britain put pressure on Mexico to keep trade routes open - an example of pressure on informal empire

Answer 6

1861

Question 7

Name two examples of informal empire in east asia

Answer 7

Siam (Thailand) through trade treaties and China

Question 8

How did GB force China to make concessions

Answer 8

Royal Navy and threats to China’s opium trade

Question 9

What treaty did GB sign with China in 1858

Answer 9

Treaty of Tientsin

Question 10

What did the Tientsin treaty establish for GB

Answer 10

Trading bases in Shanghai and Hong Kong
HK = served GB interests through Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs Office which was a branch of the government and so parts of China became informal empire

Question 11

When did Afghanistan become part of informal empire

Answer 11

1879 - Treaty of Gandamak after GB threatened with full invasion - brought GB territorial gains and were in control of Afghanistan’s foreign policy