Textbook Flashcards
What critical junction in British Empire history is marked by the movement from mercantilism to free trade?
The transition from mercantilism to free trade between 1763 and 1914.
What were the Navigation Acts established in 1660?
Regulations that required all trade within the colonies to be carried on English or colonial ships.
What was the objective of mercantilism?
To ensure that the value of exports exceeds the value of imports, achieving a positive balance of trade.
What was the significance of the American War of Independence starting in 1775?
It challenged British mercantilism by questioning the continuation of American shipping within the British Empire.
True or False: The Navigation Acts were repealed in 1849.
True.
What economic ideology began to shape British trade policies around the 1820s?
Free trade.
What event in 1807 marked a turning point in British economic policy regarding slavery?
The abolition of the slave trade.
Fill in the blank: The _______ was a trade route between Europe, West Africa, and the Caribbean, primarily associated with the slave trade.
Triangular trade.
What role did the British Royal Navy play in mercantilism?
It ensured British merchants had safe access to markets and enforced colonial regulations.
What led to the gradual transition from protectionism to free trade in Britain?
Domestic changes in politics and industry, the ideology of Adam Smith, and the end of the slave trade.
What was the economic status of Britain’s government debt by 1821?
260% of gross domestic product.
What was the Corn Laws’ purpose when passed after the Battle of Waterloo?
To keep grain prices high.
What was the impact of the abolition of the slave trade on British economic arguments?
It allowed abolitionists to argue that restricting the slave trade would damage the French economy.
What were the main products that colonies could only export to England under mercantilism?
- Tobacco
- Sugar
- Cotton
- Rice
What did the term ‘geopolitics’ refer to in the context of imperial thinking?
The idea that power derives from territorial dominance of strategic areas.
What was the significance of the founding of the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade in 1787?
It marked the beginning of organized efforts to abolish the slave trade in Britain.
True or False: The British economy relied heavily on the triangular trade until the early 19th century.
True.
What was the Middle Passage?
The crossing of the Atlantic between Africa and the West Indies used by slave traders.
What are manufactured goods?
Items that have had value added through some form of processing.
What was the purpose of the Navigation Act passed in 1786?
To increase Britain’s naval power by restricting trade to British-built ships.
What was a key factor in the British decision to abolish the slave trade in 1807?
The influence of moral enlightenment ideals and the fear of revolutionary chaos.
What was the economic dependence of China and the Americas on Britain during the 19th century called?
Britain’s informal empire.
Fill in the blank: The _______ was a significant period of rapid imperial expansion in Africa from 1881 to 1914.
Scramble for Africa.
What social movement was influential in the anti-slavery campaign in Britain?
Grass-roots campaign.
What did the abolition of the slave trade signify in terms of British moral character?
It was seen as a demonstration of the British Empire’s moral superiority over France.
What was the economic impact of the 1846 repeal of the Corn Laws?
It aimed to lower grain prices and was a significant shift towards free trade.
What role did William Wilberforce play in the abolition movement?
He was a key political figure advocating for the abolition of the slave trade.
How did the British economy benefit from the slave trade before its abolition?
Through profits from plantation products and trade in goods used in slave trading.
What economic argument did abolitionists use against the slave trade during the war with France?
Restricting the slave trade would damage the French economy and benefit Britain’s war strategy.
What surplus existed in the early 1800s that affected the perception of the slave trade’s abolition?
A surplus of West Indian sugar.
What was the impact of the abolition of the slave trade on the movement toward free trade?
It contributed to the shift away from protectionism towards free trade in the British Empire.
How did the industrial revolution influence British economic strength?
It shifted the basis of economic strength from raw materials to modern, industrialized manufacturing.
What did the belief in free labour imply for economic growth?
Economic growth is promoted when workers have incentives to work harder due to wages and property ownership.
What were the three approaches historians have regarding the abolition of the slave trade?
- Morally right decision against commercial interests
- Reflecting commercial realities due to unprofitability
- Aimed to destabilize French colonies
What economic belief was held by the political and merchant class from 1660 to 1800?
Protectionism ensured Britain’s economic growth.
What is a positive balance of trade?
A trade surplus.
What did Adam Smith argue about colonies in his book ‘The Wealth of Nations’?
Colonies were an economic drain and should develop their own economies freely.
What did Smith suggest would enhance Britain’s economic power?
An open market of free trade and free labour without government control.
How did the Navigation Acts impact American shipping in 1786?
They were strengthened to exclude American shipping from the West Indies.
What was the controversy surrounding the Corn Laws passed in 1815?
They prohibited the importation of foreign corn, protecting landowners but angering the working class.
What was the significant factor driving the transition to free trade in the 19th century?
Massive domestic economic changes due to industrialization.
How did the industrial revolution affect Britain’s coal and textile production?
- Britain produced about two-thirds of the world’s coal
- More than half of the world’s cotton cloth.
What was the impact of free trade on Britain’s relationship with American raw cotton?
Unrestricted imports allowed Britain to become the largest producer of manufactured cotton products.
What did the repeal of the Corn Laws signify in the context of British economic policy?
A shift towards free trade influenced by the need to feed a growing population.
What was the relationship between the rise of the industrial revolution and trade restrictions?
Trade restrictions were seen as hindrances to economic growth by politicians and industrialists.
Fill in the blank: The economic model at the heart of Britain’s transition by 1870 was _______.
free trade.
True or False: Adam Smith’s ideas were immediately accepted and implemented in British economic policy.
False.
What was the primary concern of influential politicians like Robert Peel regarding Britain’s growing population?
They believed that Britain would not be able to feed its growing population unless the country relaxed restrictions on food imports.
What economic strategy did Peel argue was key to the success of the British economy?
Free trade and tariff reduction.
What was the financial outcome of Peel’s government between 1841 and 1844?
Recovery from a debt of £7.5 million to a surplus of £4 million.
What legislation remained in place despite Peel’s economic recovery efforts?
The Navigation Acts and the Corn Laws.
What did the Great Reform Act of 1832 change in British politics?
It extended the franchise to include more of Britain’s rising industrial and commercial class.
What was Peel’s dilemma regarding the repeal of the Corn Laws?
Many of his party members were from the landowning class and opposed free import of foreign corn.
What two key political developments pushed Peel to end the Corn Laws?
- The Great Reform Act of 1832
- The opposition from the Whig party using public anger against the Corn Laws.
How did Peel utilize the Irish famine in his argument for repealing the Corn Laws?
He argued that only an end to the Corn Laws could help Ireland.
What was the political consequence for Peel after the repeal of the Corn Laws?
It split his party and led to his resignation.
What milestone marked the end of the Navigation Acts?
The Navigation Acts were finally ended by Russell’s government in 1849.
How did the end of the Navigation Acts affect world trade?
The volume of world trade grew by a factor of ten in the sixty years following their end.
What percentage of the world’s imports did Britain account for by 1913?
25%.
What type of goods did Britain export to Latin America in the 1820s?
Manufactured goods and expertise.
What was a significant factor in the economic boom of Argentina and Uruguay in the 1870s?
Frozen meat and grain exports to Britain.
What was the impact of the abolition of the slave trade on the British West Indies?
They had to transition to free labour and free trade, leading to a drop in sugar prices.
What was a significant trade item exported by India to Britain by 1900?
Iron, steel, and engineering products.
What was the British strategy to balance the trade deficit with China in the 19th century?
Exporting Indian-grown opium into China.
What was the result of the Opium Wars in the 1830s?
Increased profits from opium trade despite growing anger at British actions.
Fill in the blank: The __________ was a parliamentary grouping representing progressive policies such as electoral reform and free trade.
Whigs
True or False: The Tories were characterized by their support of enlightenment ideas and opposed traditional social values.
False.
What was the purpose of the Sugar Act of 1764?
To lower the duty on sugar to be collected properly rather than avoided.
What did the Stamp Act of 1765 require?
Stamps to be fixed on almost all formal documents.
What did the Mutiny Act of 1765 require from colonial assemblies?
To provide accommodation and supplies for British troops stationed in each colony.
How did the British respond to New York’s refusal to comply with the Mutiny Act?
By passing the New York Restraining Act in 1767.
What is the navigation law?
A law regarding the regulation of maritime trade and shipping.
What period is considered appropriate for reconsidering the navigation law?
Now is the proper time for dealing with these laws.
What are the commercial grounds for addressing navigation laws?
This is the season when our duty binds us to approach and definitively settle the whole question.
What is the main doctrine proposed for changing navigation laws?
We should walk in the path of experience and apply more extensively the principles already adopted.
What is mercantilism?
An economic theory that emphasizes the importance of stockpiling precious metals and maintaining a favorable balance of trade.
What were the intended benefits of mercantilism?
To increase national wealth and power through trade regulation.
What were the failures of mercantilism in the Americas?
Limited success due to restrictive trade practices and colonial resistance.
Why did it take so long for free-trade policies to be adopted by parliament?
Resistance from those benefiting from mercantilism and the navigation laws.
What significant event occurred in 1819?
The founding of Singapore.
What was the Treaty of Nanking?
A treaty signed in 1842 that ceded Hong Kong to Britain.
What was the role of the East India Company?
A private trading company with exclusive rights to trade with India.
What challenges did the East India Company face in trading with China?
Heavy regulation by Chinese authorities and limited access to trade routes.
Who was Sir Stamford Raffles?
A colonial administrator who established Singapore as a British trading post.
What was Singapore’s status that contributed to its explosive growth?
It was an entrepôt, allowing ships to dock without incurring taxes or tariffs.
What was the significance of the Anglo-Dutch treaty finalized in 1824?
It secured British control over Singapore in exchange for relinquishing other territories.
What is a monopoly?
Exclusive control over trade.
What was the impact of the opium trade on the balance of trade with China?
It reversed the balance, causing silver bullion to flood out of China.
What action did the Chinese government take in 1839 regarding opium?
They blockaded Canton and demanded the surrender of opium.
What was the British government’s response to the Chinese blockade in 1839?
They dispatched an expedition to China with an ultimatum.
What was the outcome of the British expedition to China?
It led to the Opium Wars and increased British influence in China.
Fill in the blank: The secret to Singapore’s explosive growth was its status as an _______.
[entrepôt]
True or False: The British government was initially unaware of the establishment of Singapore.
True
What was the primary motivation for British merchants in the early 19th century?
Profit rather than conquest.
What did the British government do to protect its merchants in the Far East?
They dispatched warships and acquired naval bases.
What led to the establishment of an informal empire in South America?
British influence in trade without direct political control.
What did Britain trade with Argentina in exchange for textiles?
Salt meat, wool, and cow hides.
What was the strategic importance of the Falkland Islands for Britain?
To ensure a naval presence in the South Atlantic.
What was Palmerston’s ultimatum to the emperor of China regarding trade?
The British Government demanded security for British merchants and the cession of islands for residence and commerce.
This ultimatum was aimed at ensuring that British subjects would not face violence while engaged in trade.
What was the primary reason for the British Government’s military action in China in 1840?
To defend British opium traders and secure trade routes.
This military action was part of the First Opium War.
Define ‘gunboat diplomacy’.
A means of conducting foreign policy by deliberately displaying naval power as a means of intimidation.
What was the significance of the Treaty of Nanking signed in 1842?
It marked the start of unequal treaties, requiring China to pay reparations and cede Hong Kong to Britain.
The treaty also opened several ports to foreign trade.
List the key provisions of the Treaty of Nanking.
- Pay 6 million silver dollars for destroyed opium
- Cede Hong Kong to Britain
- Open ports of Amoy, Foochow, Ningbo, Shanghai
- Grant British citizens legal protections in China
What was the role of Shanghai in British trade after the Treaty of Nanking?
Shanghai became a major trading hub, allowing British merchants to trade freely and access the Yangtze River.
This opened up previously inaccessible territories in China.
True or False: Shanghai was under direct British control after the Treaty of Nanking.
False. Shanghai was still technically Chinese sovereign territory but governed by foreign interests.
What was the Taiping Rebellion?
A political and religious uprising in China from 1850 to 1864 that resulted in over 20 million deaths.
What was the strategic importance of the Suez Canal?
It provided a direct maritime route between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, significantly impacting trade routes to India.
Fill in the blank: The construction of the Suez Canal was completed in ______.
1869
What financial challenges did the Suez Canal face during its construction?
Construction costs escalated from an estimated 200 million francs to 433 million francs due to disease and technical problems.
What was the impact of the Suez Canal on British shipping?
It increased steam tonnage entering British ports from Asia by 178 percent between 1868 and 1874.
What prompted Britain to acquire shares in the Suez Canal in 1875?
The heavily indebted Khedive was forced to sell his stock to meet creditor demands.
Describe the political concerns surrounding the Suez Canal for Britain.
There were worries about relying on French infrastructure for access to India and potential future restrictions on British shipping.
What opportunity arose in 1875 regarding the Suez Canal?
The Khedive was forced to sell his stock in the canal due to heavy debts.
Who acted to procure the Khedive’s shares in the Suez Canal?
British Prime Minister Disraeli.
How much did Disraeli pay for the Khedive’s shares?
£4,000,000.
What was the initial dividend percentage on the Suez Canal shares?
4.7 percent.
What was the dividend percentage on the Suez Canal shares in 1911?
33 percent.
What was Disraeli’s justification for acquiring the Suez Canal shares?
To secure a ‘great hold’ over Egypt and a highway to the Indian Empire.
Did Disraeli view the purchase of the Suez Canal shares as a financial investment?
No, he viewed it as a political transaction.
Who criticized Disraeli’s actions regarding the Suez Canal shares?
Gladstone and others in the House of Commons.
What year did Britain occupy Egypt to protect its interests?
1882.
Fill in the blank: The city of Zanzibar became a hub for goods, particularly slaves and _______.
ivory.
What was the status of Zanzibar before British involvement?
It was a possession of the Sultanate of Oman.
What did the British persuade the sultan of Zanzibar to do in 1822?
Ban the export of slaves from Zanzibar.
When was a total ban on slavery in Zanzibar achieved?
1873.
What became of Zanzibar’s status after the loss of the slave trade?
It increased its status as a valuable entrepôt.
What was the volume of European and American shipping docking at Zanzibar between 1859 and 1879?
Increased from 65 ships and 18,877 tons to 96 ships and 95,403 tons.
What treaty did the sultan sign in 1844 regarding import duties?
A treaty fixing tariffs at 5 percent.
What was the main concern of British interests in East Africa before 1884?
Safeguarding the trade route to India and suppressing the slave trade.
Who led the German initiative for expansion in East Africa in 1884?
Karl Peters.
What was the capital secured by Karl Peters for his East German Trading Company?
£8,750.
What change did Bismarck make regarding German colonial policy in 1885?
He published a declaration that Peters was under imperial protection.
What was the biggest investment in the British East Africa Association?
£25,000 from William Mackinnon.
What was the financial outcome for the British East Africa Association by 1892?
Expenditure was £85,000 and income was £35,000.
What did the British government establish in East Africa in 1895?
A series of East African protectorates.
What did the treaty between Britain and Germany in 1890 lead to regarding Zanzibar?
Britain established a protectorate in Zanzibar.
What was the outcome of the 1896 conflict following the pro-British sultan’s death?
The British bombarded the city, resulting in 500 Zanzibari casualties.
What was the significance of the lease of Weihaiwei in 1898?
It showed the diminishing importance of traditional rulers in British policy.
What was the term ‘Great Game’ associated with?
The rivalry between the Russian and British Empires for supremacy in Central Asia.
What was a significant concern for Britain regarding Russian expansion?
Russia’s potential threat to British India by land.
What was the outcome of Russia’s attempts to expand its influence in China?
Russia sought a strategic port and faced challenges from Japan.
Fill in the blank: The Russian Empire was seen as a Great Power due to its sheer size and _______.
army.
What year did Japan capture Port Arthur?
1894
Which empire sought to obtain the strategic port after Japan’s victory?
Russian Empire
Which countries did Russia persuade to support an intervention against Japan?
France and Germany
How many ships did the three powers have combined in the region?
38 ships
What was the total tonnage of the ships possessed by the three powers?
95,000 tons
How many ships did Japan have compared to the three powers?
31 ships
What was the total tonnage of Japan’s navy?
57,000 tons
In what month and year did Japan evacuate Port Arthur?
December 1895
What happened to Port Arthur after Japan’s evacuation?
Legally returned to China
Who did China lease Port Arthur to in 1898?
Russia
What was the British government’s response to Russia’s success in securing Port Arthur?
Demand another port from China
What port did Britain secure in 1898 for oversight of developments in Port Arthur?
Weihaiwei
What was the stated purpose of the lease of Weihaiwei?
Better protection of British commerce
What was the true function of the lease of Weihaiwei?
To counter Russian development
The lease of Weihaiwei was for how long?
As long as Port Arthur shall remain in the occupation of Russia
In East Africa, what type of protectorates did the British establish?
Unprofitable British protectorates
What was the British strategy in establishing protectorates in East Africa?
Prevent the expansion of unprofitable German ones
Why did Britain seize Weihaiwei?
In case it turned out useful in countering Russian development
