The Expansion Of The British Empire In Africa

Question 1

How had Europe developed by the 1880s? (4 ways)

Answer 1

. Undergone Industrial Revolution
. Acquired better military
. New technology to move troops
. Better medically prepared

Question 2

How did Industrial Revolution influence expansion of British empire in Africa?

Answer 2

. Need for markets and raw materials
. Britain dropped old attitude of free trade and informal political control for trade monopoly and colonial imperialism.

Question 3

What ways had Europe acquired better military by 1880s?

Answer 3

. Breech-loading rifles
. Maxim guns
. Didn’t rely on the flint guns the Africans had

Question 4

What new technology did Europe have by 1880s to help move troops?

Answer 4

Steamships, railways and the telegraph

Question 5

How was Europe better medically prepared by 1880s?

Answer 5

Antidote against malaria

Question 6

What is one basic way the British empire can be viewed?

Answer 6

As the product of a desire to seek out new foodstuffs and resources (such as valuable minerals)

Question 7

How was the first ‘swing to the East’ caused?

Answer 7

At the end of the 18th century, Britain’s American colonies were lost which started Britain’s interest in Africa?

Question 8

What is the ‘Swing to the East’?

Answer 8

The British Empire extending their influence to Asia and Africa

Question 9

Why was it now possible for the British empire to establish footholds in the East?

Answer 9

The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century created steamships and weapon production

Question 10

Where were Britain’s colonies in America during the 18th century?

Answer 10

On the East Coast of North America

Question 11

Why were there disputes in Britain’s American colonies?

Answer 11

. There were taxes imposed by British Parliament that colonists had no control over.
. Colonial resentment at having to buy imports from British merchants and exporting goods to Britain.

Question 12

When was the American Revolutionary war, what was the result and what did it cause?

Answer 12

1775, British defeated. Former colonies joined to form USA in 1783

Question 13

When was the Indian Rebellion/mutiny?

Answer 13

1857

Question 14

What are 9 reasons for the establishment of the British empire?

Answer 14

. Trade
. British culture expansion
. New materials
. Forced labour, exploiting it cheaply
. Spreading Christianity/religion
. Power
. Interest in South Africa for gold and diamonds
. For an elitist mindset
. Competition

Question 15

Why did the British empire get involved in trade overseas?

Answer 15

. Britain had been a sea-faring nation before 1857
. Britain imported raw materials such as cotton to develop industry
. As industry grew, more raw materials were needed
. Colonisation led to a cheap, steady supply of these raw materials
. Goods from Britain were sold back to people in these colonies via trading companies such as the East India Company

Question 16

What were strategic reasons for British expansion?

Answer 16

To prevent other European powers having that land and for trade along borders

Question 17

What were three strategic British colonies of the British empire?

Answer 17

. Gibraltar
. Malta (entrance to the Mediterranean)
. Falkland Islands (south Atlantic guard for sea colonies)

Question 18

What were the religious/cultural reasons for expansion of the empire, particularly in the 19th century?

Answer 18

. Many Brits had to spread the word of God to ‘uncivilised savages’ (missionaries)
. Christian missionaries travelled to colonies to set up churches, schools to convert people
. Religion heavily important in 19th century

Question 19

How did competition with other nations influence expansion of the empire?

Answer 19

. Growing imperial policies in Europe meant a ‘land grab’ in Africa came about as each country wanted power (Britain, France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Germany)
- French controlled a large part of West Africa just for the status even though it was mostly just desert

Question 20

What evidence is there that those taken over by British colonies weren’t all annoyed about it?

Answer 20

A Dalit community in Uttar Pradesh built a shrine to the goddess English in February 2011

Question 21

What is the evidence to argue that many colonies got real benefits from Britain?

Answer 21

British language in India by 1947

Question 22

What are the 6 benefits of the locations of the state of British colonies in 1857?

Answer 22

. Exclusive resources
. Influence
. Trade
. Perception of power
. Easy access to countries on borders
. Lots of outposts

Question 23

What were weaknesses of locations of colonies in the state of the empire in 1857?

Answer 23

. Hostility from natives
. Large distance between some colonies
. Many stretched thinly across territories

Question 24

Why was there a renewed interest in the empire in the late 19th century?

Answer 24

. Others countries catching up with Britain (industrialisation)
. France and Russia were a growing political power
. Agriculture first market to fully compete
. Global spread of cheap railway and shipping systems allowed new good such as New Zealand butter to flood British markets, causing prices to plummet

Question 25

When was Britain’s trade slump in the late C.19?

Answer 25

1873

Question 26

What were the reasons for increased British interest in Africa in late C.19?

Answer 26

. End of empire in America due to war in 1775-83 over disputes over taxes caused a ‘swing to the east

Question 27

What were the reasons for increased interest in Africa in the late C.19?

Answer 27

. America no longer an empire due to war in 1775-83 over disputes over taxes which caused a swing to the east . Britain’s Industrial Revolution created steamships and more weapon production which opened up opportunities to establish footholds in these large continents.

Question 28

When was the slave trade outlawed?

Answer 28

1807

Question 29

How did trade and the economy influence British expansion into Africa?

Answer 29

. New discovery of minerals and resources . Unlimited capacity for the production of cattle and cereals. . Mountain ranges of Kilimanjaro and Kenya held European climates close to the coast . Natives were more industrious than west coast tribes so welcomed new governments that would protect them from raids from threatening tribes . More British industrial productivity meant there were more need for sales markets

Question 30

What was Britain’s ‘cycle of dependency’ that came about in the late 19th century in Africa?

Answer 30

Britain used African resources to manufacture textiles to sell back to Africa, particularly during the Great Depression

Question 31

When was Britain’s Long Depression?

Answer 31

1873-1896

Question 32

How did personal influence impact expansion into Africa in the late 19th century?

Answer 32

. Merchant-imperialists such as Cecil Rhodes capitalised on new materials there and found fame and fortune . Victorian explorers such as John Hanning Speke traced Africa’s waterways, publishing findings and making maps which stimulated British public and political interest in Africa.

Question 33

How did strategic factors impact expansion into Africa in late C.19?

Answer 33

. Coastal interests in West Africa meant forts were built along the Gold Coast for protection . Examples of strategic placement in Africa being more beneficial than others: - temperate climates and deep water ports of Cape were ideal for British, meaning during the Napoleonic Wars in 1806, the Cape Colony was seized by Britain from Dutch Allies of French which allowed sea routes to India, China and Australia to be protected, allowing routes to the East = power (importance of the Cape Colony)

Question 34

How did moral factors influence expansion into Africa in late C.19?

Answer 34

. From 1860s, Christian missionaries felt they had to spread their faith as the Empire was a force for ‘civilisation’ . David Livingstone went to Africa in 1858 to ‘try and make an open path for commerce and charity’ . First half of C.19 saw morality divide ‘good’ and ‘evil’ - seen in Charles Dickens novels as morally ‘good’ characters were protected from consequences unlike the bad characters - world became split into ‘civilised’ and ‘non-civilised’ spheres’

Question 35

What were the exploration factors influencing expansion into Africa in late C.19?

Answer 35

. Most of Africa had been added to European maps by 1857 . Explorers located vast reserves of gold and diamonds for traders to exploit Colonial mapping: . Fulfilled Victorian desire for stories of adventure . Contained anxieties around the so-called ‘Dark Continent’ . European explorers chartered African territories such as the Lower Niger River in 1830

Question 36

What dominated British influence in Africa until the 2nd half of C.19?

Answer 36

Trade, not sovereignty

Question 37

Where was Britain’s formal control before last C.19?

Answer 37

. West African settlement (Sierra-Leone and Gold Coast) . Trading networks inland such as along the Niger River . Cape Colony (South)

Question 38

Why did Britain extend its influence in Africa between 1857-90?

Answer 38

To maintain and safeguard existing possessions and gain more economic influence

Question 39

Give 5 examples of Britain’s extended influence in Africa from 1857-90?

Answer 39

1868: Basutoland had a protectorate established by treaty 1884: Southern Nigeria was under chartered company rule 1888: Uganda became chartered 1882: Egypt (and the Sudan) occupation and established a client state 1879: Zululand become a protectorate by war

Question 40

When did Britain take control over key trading ports in West Africa?

Answer 40

Mid C.19

Question 41

When did formal British expansion in Africa really accelerate?

Answer 41

1890s

Question 42

How did Britain protect themselves from French rivalry in Africa?

Answer 42

Formalised control of areas where British traders were operating

Question 43

Why were companies such as the Royal Niger company chartered?

Answer 43

To implement British claims and ensure other Europeans were excluded from British bases

Question 44

What was the historic significance of Egypt to Britain?

Answer 44

. Became key route to India from C.18 . Britain had been hostile to Muslim rulers of Egypt French and British rivalry: 1798 - Napoleon sent troops to Egypt to undermine British and French trade there 1801 - British troops in Egypt forced Napoleon to withdraw 1805 - Muhamad Ali came to power in Egypt 1848 - Ali ruled and British supported Ottoman Empire who were against Ali who wanted to stop the Turkish Empire. The French supported Ali and increased economic base in Egypt

Question 45

What caused a British interest in Egypt to be revived?

Answer 45

1851-65 American civil war starved British mills of raw cotton

Question 46

How did British companies get involved in Egypt?

Answer 46

Invested heavily in production of Egyptian cotton and in the modernising programme of Isma’il Pasha (Khedive at the time) - By 1870s, 40% of Egypt’s imports were coming from Britain

Question 47

When did Isma’il Pasha become Khedive and what was his beliefs?

Answer 47

1863, committed to modernisation initiated by Muhamad Ali Pasha

Question 48

What were Isma’il Pasha’s projects of modernisation?

Answer 48

- irrigation and railways - schools and street lighting - cutting of Suez Canal through Egypt

Question 49

How did the cutting of the Suez Canal through Egypt help British seafarers and merchants?

Answer 49

Route to India was now 6000 miles shorter than via Cape A lot of British investment went into Egypt as a result

Question 50

When was Suez Canal opened up?

Answer 50

1869

Question 51

What were Britian’s few main possessions in south Africa before 1800?

Answer 51

. South Africa (Cape Colony and Natal) to protect routes to India and Australia . Some claims in Boer Republics

Question 52

What were some of Britain’s coastal areas in the west of Africa they controlled before 1800?

Answer 52

. Gambia . Sierra-Leone . Gold Coast . Lagos All dependent colonies: generally ruled by Britain but not many British settlers there

Question 53

What parts of Africa didn’t Britain control up to 1870s?

Answer 53

Interior of Africa remained untouched by Britain No colonies in North/East Africa except a trade agreement with the Sultan of Zanzibar

Question 54

How much of Africa was seized by Britain, France, Germany and Belgium from 1880-1900?

Answer 54

approximately 90%

Question 55

How was the British government acting to the expansion into Africa in mid C.19?

Answer 55

Not much desire at this time

Question 56

What was Gladstone’s foreign policy as PM?

Answer 56

Non-intervention in colonial affairs (ironic)

Question 57

What was seen by many as the mark of the start of the European partition of Africa?

Answer 57

1882: Gladstone ordered the occupation of Egypt

Question 58

What did Lord Palmerston say about Egypt in 1860?

Answer 58

‘It should be attached to the Turkish empire.’ ‘We wish to trade with Egypt.’

Question 59

How was it clear that Britain wanted to protect Turkey as it was a route to Africa?

Answer 59

1854-56: Britain got involved in the Crimean War against Russia partly to protect Turkey from Russian expansion

Question 60

What did the Suez Canal strategically do?

Answer 60

Split Africa and Asia

Question 61

What did Ferdinand de Lesseps do?

Answer 61

In 1854-56, he was allowed to create the Suez Canal company in 1858 to construct a canal for international shipping

Question 62

How long did the Suez Canal company run for?

Answer 62

99 years

Question 63

Why didn’t British originally invest heavily in the Suez Canal?

Answer 63

They believed it wasn’t suitable for large ships

Question 64

How did the Suez Canal have a massive effect on trade for Britain?

Answer 64

Reduced profits of British traders in the cape who operated warehouses for storing goods

Question 65

What was the sequence of events where Britain invested in the Suez Canal?

Answer 65

In 1875, Isma’il Pasha was in debt so was desperate to sell his country’s share in the Canal for £4 million - Disraeli borrowed the money for the share without parliamentary consent, causing a political outcry that was worth it

Question 66

Why was Disraeli’s investment in the Suez Canal so worth it?

Answer 66

. Gave Britain greater control over passage to India . Gave Britain an income from shipping tariffs . Encouraged further British interest in Egypt

Question 67

What happened to Isma’il Pasha in 1879?

Answer 67

Deposed by Ottoman Sultan and replaced by his son Tewfiq

Question 68

How did Britain keep Egypt alive after Isma’il’s deposition?

Answer 68

Lord Dufferin (British commissioner) was very influential: . Taxes placed on Egyptian foods and goods . Egyptian army reduced by 2/3

Question 69

What was the problem with Britain’s measures to improve Egyptian economy?

Answer 69

Increased unemployment, causing a nationalist rebellion under colonel Arabi Pasha and fellow officers

Question 70

What were the consequences of Arabi Pasha’s rebellion?

Answer 70

Tewfiq forced to appoint Pasha’s allies to government positions, they had fiercely anti-European views This concerned Britain over: . Trade . Investment . Security of the 100k Europeans in Egypt . Canal route to India

Question 71

How were political tensions in Egypt worse in June 1882?

Answer 71

Violence on the streets of Alexandria where 50 Europeans and 125 Egyptians died

Question 72

When did Gladstone have to intervene in Egypt and how?

Answer 72

After further revolts, British naval forces bombarded Alexandria, destroying residential areas and killing 100s of civilians

Question 73

How did Pasha respond to Gladstone’s interventions and what went down?

Answer 73

Declared war on British. He had initial success at Kafor el-Dauwar against Brit forces heading to Cairo - British commander-in-chief Wolseley secured base at the Suez Canal and defeated Pasha’s forces at Tel el-Kebir - battle lasted a little over an hour (British strength)

Question 74

How did Pasha’s war on Britain end?

Answer 74

Britain re-took Cairo and restored Tewfiq as a puppet ruler, supposedly as a temporary occupation

Question 75

What did Major Evelyn Baring become and what was the significance of this?

Answer 75

Became Consul General of Egypt, forcing Tewfiq to create a more ‘British’ government

Question 76

What confirmed Britian’s influence over Egypt?

Answer 76

The 1885 convention of London: Secured an international loan for the Egyptian government, confirming Britain’s influence over Egypt

Question 77

After the convention of London, how can Britain’s control in Egypt be described?

Answer 77

A ‘veiled protectorate’ over Egypt: only a thin amount of control from Ottoman and local rule, Baring effectively ruled behind a screen of Egyptian ministers, aided by English administrators

Question 78

What was Charles Gordon sent to do from 1877-80?

Answer 78

Act as Governor-General of Egyptian-administered Sudan

Question 79

How did the Mahdist Rebellion come about?

Answer 79

British administrators were opposed by Sudanese Islamic cleric Muhammad Ahmad In June 1881, he proclaimed himself the Mahdi (saviour of mankind) Hostility of Egyptian rule and recent resentment of British influence caused the Mahdi to create a ‘jihadist army’ (Mahdists)

Question 80

What was the aim of the Mahdists?

Answer 80

Liberate Sudan from outside rule

Question 81

How strong were the Mahdists by 1882?

Answer 81

Had complete control of area surrounding Khartoum

Question 82

After the Siege of Khartoum, how long until another campaign to expand British control over Mahdists and Sudan?

Answer 82

Until 1896