Section One - The Development Of Imperilaism C1857- C1890 Flashcards
What was Britain’s situation like by 1857
Controlled vast territorial empire, largest most powerful Navy in the world, policy to rule to the empire came down to men on the spot, accept wide local variations partly due to slow communication
Had colonies of settlement - colonies that were largely people by white settlers from Britain, form of ‘responsible government’
Crown colonies - colonies administered directly by a governor appointed by British crown- trading purposes
Chartered company rule - an area ruled by trading company with a special licence by the government, which gave its political and economic
Why did British Empire expand in Africa
Moral - Christian missionaries duty, a force of ‘civilisation’ and ‘enlighthement’
Trade and economy - industrial Revolution and the discovery of new raw materials, high profit margins
Strategic factors - ‘swing to the East’ after loos of territories in America’s , SA deep ports and protected sea routes to Asia
Personal influence - merchants like George Goldie capitalised on new commodities
Outline the characteristics and names in terms of imperial and colonial policy
Colonial office - functioned separately with war office in 1854, divided into 5 departments, Headed by Secretary state for the colonies e.g Duke of Newcastle, ‘orders in council’ issued administrating the crown colonies without local consultation
White settler colonies granted ‘Responsible Government’ Canada which made British governors ruled with the support of representative assemblies, appointing ministers who could command a majority
Outline India’s administration and defence
Prior 1858, expansion in India had been overseen by British East India company, granted monopoly over trade etc
Government of India Act 1858- India passed to the Queen, Secretary state for India created, India council formed, appointment of viceroy to replace Company’s Governor General
Viceroy of India ruled with a legislative council, provincial governors represented the Viceroy local, greater respect shown in traditional India’s practise and customs
Viceroy relied on native rulers, 556 independent Princerly state
British to Indian troops 1:2
Enlisted greater numbers of Gurkains and Sikhs
Growth of military, exaggerated British presences
Outline international relations of Germany and France
Germany- United 1871, powerful military defeated France in Franco Prussian war, sought to emulate British path to great power status, expansion in SW Africa seen as a threat to cape colony,economy took over by early 1900, German merchant ships threatening. LIMITATION- gained between 1884-85 mostly deserts, keep friendly with Britain , Bismarck liked Disraeli but disliked Gladstone, German public not interested, 25,00 only moved for empire
FRANCE- determined to recover from prestige after Franco Prussian war, naval building programme, 1860 foothold in Indo China, threatened British trade in Far East. LIMITATION: unlikely to full scale war, more angry at Germany
Outline international relations with Russia
1870 obtained large areas in Central Asia in closer to Afghanistan, threat to India, planned to conquer parts of the Ottoman Empire threat to Egypt, Trans caspian railway
LIMITATION - Himalayan mountains block all routes to India, Alex 3 avoiding wars and Tsarist government unlikely for full scale war
What was Britain’s response in regards of international relations
French activity in Indo China, Britain annexed territory in Malaya, Sarank, Upper Burma. Invaded Afghanistan in 1878 to accept British control, setting up British protectorate, reduced Russian influence and security in India
Explain the Brussels and Berlin conference
Brussels conference 1876- hosted by King Leopold of Belgium, drew attention to land available in Africa, concluded that Africa was incapable of developing and European intervention was necessary. IAA should be established to co ordinate the Europeans effort
Berlin conference 1884-85: concluded with General Act- all nations permitted to trade in basin of the Congo and its outlet, powers should support and protect religious, scientific, charitable undertakings
Effective occupation: European power could assert their claim to assert their claim to land that is ‘effectively’ occupied and notify other powers
Explain the meaning and examples of informal empire
Britain had no legal claim but was influenced by Britain, economic, ways such as free trade agreements or British investment
China - Treaties of Nanking + Tientsin, British gained trading bases e.g Shanghai and Hong Kong, 1863 Robert Hart appointed Head of Chinese imperial maritime custom office, purpose of protecting British interests
Middle East- Afghanistan threat of full invasion 1878, secured Treaty of Gamdamak,provided Britain with strategic territorial gains and control over foreign policy.
South America - 10% of British exports and imports in 2nd half of 19th century, threats of force used to maintain trade agreements e.g Mexico
Argentina - British financier acquired Mercentile Bank of the River plate in 1881
What was the impact of the Berlin conference
1900,90% of continent was European hands, allowed to expand without the risk of conflict,did little for indigenous population, no concentrated effort to combat African or Arab slave trade
Explain the relationship between the Boers
Dutch settlers arrived and formed Cape Colony in 1652,1795 British took over the cape colony, Dutch settlers known as Boers moved away and were fiercely independent.
British followed Boers, introduction of new laws, emancipation of British slaves 1833, second law threatened economic stability, 1852 British allowed the Boers self government, formed Transvaal and OFS, discovery of diamonds 1867,Boer view changed
1868- British annexed Basutoland, West Griqualand 1871 and East Griqualand 1875
British proposed federation of British and Boer territories 1875, Boers declined
Boers ongoing friction with pedi tribes, Boers declared war, failed to win, British annexed Transvaal 1877, claim was to defend white settlers
First Boer war 1880- chance of independence from Gladstone and Britain, attacked British army garrisons,Boers knew landscape better,British vastly outnumbered. Humiliating defeat in Mujab hill 1881Gladstone decided not to fight,granted independence by the comaration of Pretoria in 1881
Explain the relationship between the British and Bantu
General label for 300-600 ethnic groups who speak Bantu language incl Zulu, Xhosa, Pedri
Little thoughts given, rights of black Africans were limited and restricted to manual labour, living in segregated areas
