Section One Flashcards
What was the swing to the east
A shift in Britain’s Imperial policies where after the loss of America there was a change in business and political interests from the Western Hemisphere to towards both Africa and Asia. Also marked a desire for control through trade and economic dominance rather than through settler colonisation
Why was trade and economy a reason to expand in Africa
Trade and economy - expanded for trade and the prospect of further trade opening up with new routes and discovery of minerals and resources. In the second half of the 19th century, coal,iron and timber were sought in Africa in order to feed the demands of British industry. As Britain’s industrial productivity grew so did the need for sale markets - a cycle of dependancy formed whereby Britain exploited African resources in order to manufacture goods such as textiles and weapons to sell back to Africa. This was particularly the case during the economic slump of 1873-1896 when Europe experienced the long depression
Why was personal influence a reason for expansion in Africa
Increasing trade led to a growth in the personal influence of British merchants in Africa. Merchant-imperialists such as George goldie and Cecil Rhodes recognised and capitalised on new commodities and in the process found fame and fortune. British public and political interest was stimulated by explorers who traced Africa’s waterways and publishing there works and spreading tales of adventure. There was a sense of Africa being discovered
Why was strategic factors a reason for expansion in Africa
Eg British costal interests in west Africa needed protection and a string of forts was built along the Gold Coast.
Eg the establishment of the cape - the water held advantages over other harbours and in 1806 during the napoléonien wars the cape colony was seized from The Dutch and so protected sea routes to Middle East, China,Australia and India thus giving Britain considerable power over the sea routes to the east
Why was moral factors a reason for expansion
Many people had ‘strong moral principles’. Where increasingly from the 1860s Christian missionaries, reflecting this wider mindset, saw it as there ‘moral’ duty to spread the faith among non Christians /heathens
Their view was that the empire was a force for ‘civilisation’ and the most famous example of a missionary explorer is David living stone who went to Africa in 1958 ‘to try and make an open path for commerce and Christianity’
Why was exploration a reason for expansion
Most of Africa had been added to European maps where explorers also located vast reserves,already known to local inhabitants, of raw materials such as gold , palm oil, and diamonds which European merchants then sough to exploit and trade
What happened in the second half of the 19th century within Africa
Before Britain’s presence in Africa was dictated by trade rather than sovereignty. But between 1857 and 1890 Britain extended its empire and influence across African territory eg created a protectorate over Basutoland.
This was because they had a desire to safeguard there existing possessions and remain kore powerful than other countries - France was a particular rival so they created formal control in areas where British traders had been operating meaning companies such as the royal Niger company, the imperial British east Africa company and the British South Africa company
Why did Britain become interested in Egypt
When British mills were starved of raw cotton. Egypt whose cotton was a particularly good quality product, attracted those who were anxious to find new sources of this vital material. British companies began investing heavily in the production of Egyptian cotton and in the ambitious modernising programme of the khedive Isma’il Pasha .
In the 1870s 40% of Egypt’s imports were coming from Britain
What did Frenchman Ferdinand de Lesseps do
Obtained a concession from Egypt to create a company to construct a canal for international shipping - the Suez Canal company
Britain originally did not buy a significant number of shares and were rather sceptical however the canal had an immediate and dramatic effect on the world trade- reducing the profits of those British traders in the cape consequently when in 1875 isma’il pasha whi faced dents sought a buyer for his 4 million shares in the canal and Benjamin Disraeli stepped forward. Although France still held a larger number of shares it gave Britain greater control over its passage to India and an income from shipping tariffs. Control of the canal also encouraged further British interest in Egypt
How did Britain establish control in egyot
When Ismail was deposed his son tewfiq became the new khedive but it was British money and political interference that kept Egypt afloat and lord dufferin the British commissioner wielded considerable influence.
In order to prop up Egypt’s ailing company taxes were imposed o Egyptian food and goods and its army was reduced. This increased unemployment and led to a nationalist rebellion under colonel Arabi pasha
What was the Egypt rebellion
In june 1882 political tensions spilled out onto the streets of Alexandria where violence claimed the lives of 50 Europeans and 125 Egyptians. A series of further revolts across Egypt convinced the PM ,William Gladstone, to intervene where they destroyed residential areas and killed hundreds of civilians. Arabi Pasha declared war. But Britain was able restore tewfiq as a puppet leader and occupation of Egypt had begun. Major Evelyn Baring was installed as consul general. Egypt was firmly under British administrative control
How did colonel Charles Gordon die
He was to act governer-general of Egyptian administrated Sudan on behald of there puppet but Sudan had a long term hostility towards Egyptian rule and British influence so the Mahdists sought to liberate Sudan from outside rule. There was an attack and General Gordon was beheaded during the attack however Gladstone did not retaliate as he was anxious to avoid further loss of life and money.
How did influence in India happen
Expansion of British influence had originally been overseen by the British east India company but the the sepoy rebellion happened under them in 1857 because of animal fat in the gun catridges. It lasted a year and caused thousands of deaths. After the rebellion the British government thought a change in rule was necessary to prevent a reoccurrence. In 1858 the british government took control
What was the government of India act 1958
The east India company territories were passed to the queen
A Secretary of State was created
A council of 15 members (India council) was made to assist the Secretary of State
The crown appointed a viceroy to replace the company’s Governor- general
India civil service was placed under the control of Secretary of State
What was done to show Britain and India British domination
1 January 1877 queen Victoria was made Empress of India to showcase Britain’s imperial power
What was the doctrine of lapse in 1858
Ensured that the princely states fell under British rule when the rulers line of descent ended. This doctrine had also ended the common practice of adopting heirs when natural heirs die not exist or were unsuitable thus facilitating expanding British control.
What were the administrative functions in India
Collecting taxes
Maintenance of law and order
Running of courts
English law prevailed however after the rebellion attention was paid to traditional Indian practices to avoid another rebellion - Christian missionaries were actively discouraged
What were some public work schemes in India
Built a great railway network to facilitate British trade and profit as well as the movemen5 of British troops
What was India defence like after 1858
The proportion of British Troops to India troops was raised to 1:2
The regiments of Indian troops were trained and stationed in their own districts and cut off from one another to prevent a sense of unity
They were mixed by caste and religion
They enlisted a greater number of Gurkhas and Sikhs who had been loyal to Britain during the rebellion
British officers increased
The 3000 miles of track was placed meant there was more British presence and enabling swifter deployment of troops in the event of trouble
When was Germany united
Germany united as a single country in 1871 and became a new powerhouse in Europe
With its huge supply of natural resources and a good location in the centre of Europe it soon began to show its industrial potential and German merchant ships made an increasing appearance on the High seas
