Role of government in imperial expansion Flashcards
why was expansion important to the government? what was their relationship with trading companies?
trading companies, especially the EIC, were important to the financial fabric of England
the state were in a constant need of income due to European wars- EIC lent massive amounts to the state- 1709 lent £3m
what was the link between the government and trading companies?
government benefitted directly from the success of trading companies
companies interested the population, made them something the government could not ignore
what were positive consequences of imperial trade?
created funds to invest in industrial infrastructure
manufacturing industries prospered
fluidity to invest in companies
industrial output soared
banks could offer loans for further growth
population increase
funds were available, made the British more powerful
what were negative consequences of imperial trade?
people moved from the country to the city, not enough people worked in agriculture to feed the nation
increased tensions between the British and European powers
increased national strength meant policing more lands and sea
ongoing debate over free trade or preferential trade
what did politicians decide on?
matters of the state
what was the role of the monarch?
to support the government
why was mercantilism and the laissez faire government a successful policy?
emphasis on trade and growth as the key to national strength- mercantilist polices, investment in banking (entrepreneurialism)
