Informal Empire Flashcards
What was the purpose of informal empire?
Purely establish economic influence at a low cost
What was the advantage of informal imperialism?
No direct costs to Britain in terms of establishing control over territory and maintaining control
What was imperialism of free trade?
Informal empire based on the principles of free trade. This was favoured over formal imperial control (often enforced through gunboat diplomacy)
What percentage of British exports went to Latin America by 1865?
10%
By what year were 10% of British exports going to Latin America?
1865
In 1865, where did 10% of British exports go?
Latin America
What did the British financier, Charles Morrison acquire in 1881?
Bank of River Plate
Who acquired the Bank of River Plate in 1881?
British financier, Charles Morrison
When had the British financier, Charles Morrison, acquired the Bank of River Plate?
1881
What did the British invest in?
Argentina’s utilities
What did the US consul in Bueno Aires say about the British?
‘They (The British) are ‘in’ everything except politics, as intimately as though they were the British colonies’
Who said ‘They (The British) are ‘in’ everything except politics, as intimately as though they were the British colonies’?
US consul in Bueno Aires
What did British traders do to the government?
Influence on the national government to increase British influence
What were the advantages of informal empires?
Access to raw materials
Establish economic influence
Who did the British have good relations with in Africa?
Local tribal leaders
Why did the British establish good relations with the African tribal leader?
Purely economic purposes
Why did the British promote free trade?
For informal imperialism could flourish as they would have no barriers, no need to conquer territory in order to exploit economic advantages
What did free trade end?
Monopoly British traders who had a hold over the colonial markets
What had the British empire recently been based upon?
Mercantilism
What is mercantilism?
Economic self-sufficiency
What happened in 1861?
Britain put naval pressure on Mexico to maintain trade
When had Britain put naval pressure on Mexico to maintain trade?
1861
