The evolution of Britain's network of ports, entrepôts and trade routes in the years 1763-1914 Flashcards
When was Singapore acquired?
1819
The secret to Singapore’s explosive growth was…
its status as an entrepôt, where ships of all nationalities could dock without incurring taxes or tariffs
The significance of the tax-free status of Singapore
The tax-free status of Singapore quickly drew merchangs from the Malay Archipelago and further afield, and goods from all over South-East Asia flooded flooded into the city
The explosive growth of Singapore signalled…
a new era in imperial trade
What did Singapore demonstrate?
The success of the city demonstrated to young, ambitious and thoughtful British politicians like Robert Peel the possibilities of an empire run on free trade
When was the acquisition of Hong Kong?
1842
What was the Chinese blockade of 1839?
The naval blockade imposed by the Qing Dynasty in an attempt to prevent foreign trade - particularly the illegal opium trade - leading leading the outbreak of the First Opium War
Why did the East India Company begin to trade Opium? (a drug that had been made illegal in China by imperial edict)
The East India Company found itself with a negative balance of trade and Opium could be grown cheaply in India
Gunboat diplomacy
A means of conducting foreign policy by deliberately displaying naval power as a means of intimidation
When was the Treaty of Nanking signed?
1842
What was the Treaty of Nanking?
It marked the end of the First Opium War between China and Britain
- resulted in China ceding Hong Kong to Britain
- allowed for free British trade with any merchants in China
- forced China to pay damages for the destroyed opium
When was Shanghai opened up to trade?
1842
Where is Shanghai situated?
The city is situated at the mouth of China’s largest river, the Yangtze
The Yangtze river
A navigable waterway of over 1,000 miles for ocean-going ships and further for river craft
Under the terms of the Treaty of Nanking, British merchants were not only allowed to trade at Shanghai, but could now…
trade with anyone rather than a Hong monopoly, and could access the length of the Yangtze
Shanghai and Opium
The Opium trade boomed in Shanghai and Opium imports grew steadily - reaching 6,500 tons of Opium in 1880
The Taiping Rebellion
A political and religious uprising that lasted for 14 years in China
When was the Suez Canal purchased?
1875
Suez Canal
The narrow isthmus of Suez separating the Red Sea from the Mediterranean Sea
What circumstances led led the construction of the Suez Canal?
The construction was driven by the growing demand for a more direct and efficient trade route between Europe and Asia
The strategic interests of European powers in controlling key maritime passages
How many years did the construction of the Suez Canal take?
10
Over time, the Suez Canal had a major impact on…
long-distance trade routes (especially to India)
The Suez Canal played a significant role in…
global trade and transportation
How did the acquisition of the Suez Canal mark a significant departure in British trading policy?
It demonstrated a shift towards a more direct involvement in securing and controlling key trade routes - reflecting a more assertive imperialistic approach to safeguarding British interests in global trade and geopolitics
When was Zanzibar acquired?
1890
Why is Zanzibar a strategic location?
- Geographical position in the Indian Ocean makes it an important hub for maritime trade routes connecting Africa, the Middle East and Asia
- Zanzibar’s historical prominence in the spice trade (particularly in cloves) made it economically valuable
- It’s proximity to the East African mainland provided a base for colonial powers to exert influence and control over the region during the era of European imperialism
The “Great Game”
A term given to the political and economic rivalry between the Russian and British Empires for supremacy in Central Asia during the 19th century
Why is Weihaiwei a significant location?
- It’s strategic naval position
- Provides control over the Yellow Sea and access to Northeast Asia
Russia took control of ____ ______ in 1897 during the 19th century
Port Arthur
Why did Britain obtain the lease of Weihaiwei in 1898?
Britain seized the nearest harbour it could find to Port Arthur just incase it turned out to be useful in countering Russian development
Why is the lease of Weihaiwei significant?
It donstrayed how far British colonial interests had come from their commercial beginnings (the port had had no commercial value)
