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Introduction to the History of the British Empire > Slavery, Abolition, Humanitarianism and the Civilising Mission > Flashcards

Slavery, Abolition, Humanitarianism and the Civilising Mission Flashcards

1
Q

The responsibilities that came with Empire?

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • Some thought Empire should only be concerned with Britain’s “insular” interests
  • Some thought advancing the interests of others might sometime benefit Britain
  • Some thought that Britain had an obligation to look after those under its rule
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2
Q

Edmund Burke, Dec 1783, on responsibility

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • “All political power which is set over men…ought to be some way or other exercised for their benefit”
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3
Q

How could the notion of ‘protection’ benefit government?

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A

“It could calm conscience and avoid accusations of cynicism or indifference.”

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4
Q

What were the agendas of humanitarians?

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • Not only to protect, but to transform “however oblivious” colonial subjects might be of the need for such a change
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5
Q

What was the agenda for reform in India?

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • “decadance and depravity”
  • Hindu practice was antithetical to Xnity…polytheistic, dualist, belief in rebirth, sati
  • Attracted attention of CMS/Clapham sect
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6
Q

Was slavery challenged by the 1780s

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A

INTELLECTUALLY?

  • Morally indefensible
  • Economic efficiency also questioned
  • Incompatible with Xnity as removed free will to choose to act morally and ethically

PRACTICALLY?
- Flourishing trade dependent on Atlantic slave trade and the Plantations in the West Indies

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7
Q

Who supported the anti-slavery movement early on?

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • Quakers and Methodists

- Abolition Society formed by W. Wilberforce in April 1787

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8
Q

Important Early Legislation for Abolition

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • 1788 bill for restricted shipping proposed by Sir William Dolben
  • 1792 resolution for step-by-step abolition
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9
Q

A brief timeline of abolitionist’s efforts

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • Abolition Society formed by W. Wilberforce in April 1787
  • 1788 bill for restricted shipping proposed by Sir William Dolben
  • 1792 resolution for step-by-step abolition
  • 1803-1815 Napoleonic wars delay progress
  • Excessive sugar, turn in fortunes of war, end of Addington’s administration as First Lord of the Treasury –> Progress
  • 1811, Penalties for traders
  • Uprisings like 1823 Demerera increased urgency of abolitionists
  • 1824, Capital penalty for traders
  • Jamaican Rebellion 1831
  • Lord Howick proposes abolition in 1832
    –> Act introduced August 1833
    –> Effective August 1834
    Slaves to undergo ‘Apprentiships’ to masters, but all would be totally free by 1840
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10
Q

Compensation of slave owners

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • British taxpayers pay into £20m fund to compensate slave owners
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11
Q

What does abolition say about the British government and its imperial relationship with empire?

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • The abolitionists offensive against slavery by seeking Parliamentary reform a) gave them “direction and purpose”, and b) showed that the government was capable of acting
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12
Q

Relationship between the Imperial government and Humanitarians

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • Interaction made easier by the creation of a colonial office in 1801
  • Governments cautious not to employ interventionist policy
  • 1830s, Jamaica took advantake of this, and the suspension of its constitution was considered
  • Governments often simply mediators
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13
Q

Did the emancipation of slaves threaten the humanitarian mission?

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • In some ways, yes.
  • Deprived mission of “raison d’etre”
  • Needed new projects in early-mid 19th Century
  • -> New focus on NZ/AUS/ S. Africa
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14
Q

New humanitarian missions post-abolition

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • Frayed colonist-indigenous relationships in the mid 19th Century
  • On the edges of empire, British rule either could not or would not (laissez faire) intervene
  • Misunderstanding/xenophobia/”liquor and arms trades flourished”
  • -> House of Commons Committee 1836-7
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15
Q

House of Commons Select Committee 1836-7

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A

FINDINGS
- European intervention “a calamity upon native and savage nations”
- Concluded that non-intervention was not economically beneficial
- names “the untutored and defenceless savage”
“Paternalistic…tone”

RECCOMENDED MEASURES

  • Withdraw Aborigines from control of colony
  • Regulation of labour
  • “Opportunities for ‘religious instruction and education’”
  • ‘Just returns’ on land
  • Centrality of missions and missionaries is established
  • Naval squadron on West African Coast to intercept suspected illegal slavers
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16
Q

What were the results of the House of Commons Select Committee 1836-7?

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • Aboriginal Society founded by Thomas Hodgkin 1837
  • Annexation of New Zealand 1840
  • Evangelical work not only to combat sin but to atone for it
  • New belief that free trade would get rid of slave trade
  • New societies (separate)
  • The Niger expedition (separate card)
17
Q

New Humanitarian Societies

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • Aboriginal Society founded by Thomas Hodgkin 1837
  • British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society 1839
  • African Civilisation Society 1839 (dissolved 1843)
18
Q

The Niger expedition

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • Leaves May 1841
  • Retreat by October
  • 40/145 dead from fever
  • Niger Settlement abandoned 1843 and African Civilisation Society dissolved
  • -> Not entirely disastrous. Aboriginal Protection Society + - British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society 1839. They recognised, as did Palmerston, that humanitarianism had to be compatible with British interests that were feasibly long term
19
Q

Humanitarian efforts of the mid 19th Century

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • More pessimistic by 1870s
  • Difficult to end slave trade with legitimate trade, even with UK Gvt. intervention
  • The terms of free labour were “unattractive” to free slaves
  • So far, colonial produce had benefited from “preferential treatment”. 1854 Canadian-American Reciprocity Act was an anti-protectionist move to Free Trade
  • Reassessment of what was the best for indigenous peoples. Triggered by lack of converts, difficulties of acculturation and violent resistance ie Indian mutiny
  • Became a “creature of habit”
20
Q

Humanitarian efforts of the late 19th Century

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A

MISSIONS

  • Universities Mission to Cenral Africa at Zanzibar
  • Church Missionary Society at Mombasa
  • Scottish churches at Nyasa in 1870s
  • New individuals: Rev’d Horrace Waller joins B.a.F.A.S.S. in 1870. Also, F.W. Chesson taking lead in Aboriginal Protection Society

LOBBYING

  • B. a. F. A. S. S. pressure on Parliament in 1871
  • -> New anti-slavery measures 1872-3 against Zanzibar
  • Closer relationship of government and lobby. E.g. members of both went to the Berlin West Africa Conference (1884-5)
  • “British foreign policy came to adopt the goals of the Aborigines’ Protection Society”: “New forms of slavery” and property ownership as a means of indigenous freedom

NEW POLICIES

  • A. P. S. campaigns for Pacific Islanders’ Protection Act after murder of Bishop Patteson at Nukapu. Campaigning against involuntary service and slavery on Gold Coast –> Colonial office agree to address issues in 1874
  • 1875, trade regulation in India to protect peasant land ownership
21
Q

Why did humanitarians abandon their efforts at transformation of indigenous societies in the late 19th Century?

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • Not any less desirable, but seen as less feasible
  • Slavery continued to be an issue, integrating the two socieities seemed impossible
  • Work was interventionist, not preventative
22
Q

20th century humanitarian work

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A
  • British and Foreign/Aborigines’ societies merge in 1910
  • European initiative> “free trade and non-European initiative”
  • Congo reform initiative after growing awareness of corruption under King Leopold in the Belgian Congo in the late 19th century.
    –> Edmund Morel publishes “Red Rubber” in 1904
    —-> Leopold relinquishes control in 1908
    “…in reasserting acceptable standards of colonial practice, it offered pointers to the future.”
23
Q

Quote on the white man’s burden

The Oxford history of the British Empire Vol. 3, The nineteenth century / Wm. Roger Louis editor-in-chief ; Andrew Porter, editor ; Alaine Low, associate, editor.

A

“In constantly calling the imperial government to its duty, they unwittingly fostered a negative conception of trusteeship, confirming the reality of the ‘white man’s burden’…”

24
Q

CAPITALISM & SLAVERY AND CARIBBEAN HISTORIOGRAPHY: AN EVALUATION
by Selwyn H. H. Carrington*

(key critiques of Eric Williams’ thesis)

A

OVERVIEW OF THESIS

  • Eurocentric view of West Indies/Caribbean being developed by Europe ignored the importance of those regions, and slavery, in growing the European economy
  • “Williams redefined the traditional orthodoxy, and argued that thewealth of Europe was derived from the exploitation of African labor through the slave trade and Caribbean slavery”
  • Abolition not due to humanitarian efforts, but to the decline of the sugar economy!

RECEPTION

For:
- David Brion Davis… In a recent essay titled “Reflections on Abolitionism and Ideological Hegemony,” Davis emphasized that the “opposition to slavery cannot be
divorced from the vast economic changes”

Against:
- Seymour Drescher’s Econocide: British Slavery in the Era of Abolition. Britain stood to make a loss at time of abolition

25
Q

The enlightenment view of slavery

CAPITALISM & SLAVERY AND CARIBBEAN HISTORIOGRAPHY: AN EVALUATION
by Selwyn H. H. Carrington*

A
  • With the separation of the United States at the end of the First British Empire, and the publication of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations (1776), there emerged the enlightened belief that slave labor was inefficient, unprofitable, and an impediment to economic growth.
  • Initially after the end of the American Revolution, British producers and manufacturer still controlled the American markets.
  • However by the 1790s, colonies were considered burdens and the sugar planters, who were economically dependent, were a principal contributor to the decline of the Caribbean economy.
26
Q

Slavery demographics

The Volume and African Origins of the British Slave Trade before 1714, David Eltis

Ashley Jackson, A Very Short Introduction

A
  • 396 202 arrived in Americas 1662-1713
  • Mortality rate of .2071 across 287 voyages from 1662-1713
  • 12 Million from Africa > America + West Indies
  • 1707-1807, 30 000 per year shipped by Britain
27
Q

Ashley Jackson on the continuation of anti-slavery efforts in the 19th century

A

“…an endavour that continued late into the 19th century as the desire to defeat, for example, the arab slave trade, provided a new rallying call for missionary activity and colonial expansion to underwrite it.”

28
Q

The slave triangle

Ashley Jackson, A Very Short Introduction

A
  • “…the developing Atlantic Empire was based on slaves and consumer crops”
  • West Africa –> (via ‘middle passage) America + West Indies
  • Slaves sold, proceeds used to buy crops that were produced with slave labour
  • Produce sent to Britain to be sold
  • Goods re-exported from Britain to W. Africa and used to buy slaves

SO 1) Goods to W. Africa for slaves, 2) Slaves sent to W. Indies and America 3) Goods sent back to Britain

“This was the definitive feature of the British Empire”

America and West Indies 57% UK export + 32% Import

29
Q

Life of a slave (taken from lecture ppt.)

A
  • 90 Hour weeks

Work 6 days a week

All age groups work – even children and elderly

3 year ‘seasoning’ period

Average life expectancy 7 years from arrival on the Island

Brutal punishments for minor ‘offences’

30
Q

Dangers faced by slaves

Nial Ferguson, Empire

A

1/7 slaves died in crossing

1750, 800 000 shipped, but pop of 300 000 due to low reproduction and death rates

31
Q

Economic sense of slavery

Nial Ferguson, Empire

A

Carribean slavers paid 8/9* a slave’s worth on the West Coast

32
Q

White plague, or black migration?

Nial Ferguson, Empire

A

1662-1807, 3* as many black as white migrants

33
Q

Early quaker justification for abolition

Nial Ferguson, Empire

A

Matthew 10, “do unto others as you would have others done unto you”

34
Q

Slavery and Enlightenment

Nial Ferguson, Empire

A
  • Adam Smith anti-sslavery as he argued it would be cheaper to hire freemen
35
Q

David Livingstone

Nial Ferguson, Empire

A
  • Born 1804
  • Intelligent
  • Made minister 1840
  • Travelled to Kuruman
  • Found that indigenous peoples weren’t interested in the gospel but in his resources: medicine, weapons
  • Became explorer in 1848
  • More incentive to find a way to let Xnity in by the fact slaves were still being traded to Persia, India, Arabia
  • Had to find alternative economy to slaving: “free labour would drive out unfree”
  • Trade to conincide with Xnity, to avoid situation in India (1857)
  • -> UCMS
36
Q

1813 East India Act

Nial Ferguson, Empire

A
  • Missionaries
  • Bishops invited in
  • 1832, 58 missionaries active in India

Introduction to the History of the British Empire (6 decks)

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