Trade

Question 1

Why did British debts grow between 1763 and 1821?

Answer 1

.American war of independence, fighting France, Spain and the Dutch.
.

Question 2

Define protectionism and mercantilist policies and why the government pursued them?

Answer 2

Protectionism = Taxes / prohibitions on imports / exports, to restrict foreign goods thereby providing an advantage to their own producers.

Question 3

What was free trade and why did the government adopt this?

Answer 3

Free trade, reduces taxes / prohibitions and removes restrictions, therefore allowing merchants to freely trade, this was adopted as it benefited the British merchants who could produce everything at a better price then their competition.

Question 4

What was the changing view towards colonies?

Answer 4

.Came to be seen as inherently valuable, led to scramble for Africa and having colonies for the sake of it.

Question 5

Why was the slave trade difficult to abolish?

Answer 5

.Britain dominated the triangular trade, which was seen as a critical part of the British empire.
.Cities such as; Bristol, Liverpool and Glasgow become extremely wealthy due to the slave trade.
.Skilled sailors working on the slave trade could be recruited for the Royal Navy.
.Many members of parliament had financial interests in the slave trade.

Question 6

What was the Triangular trade?

Answer 6

1 England traded goods such as textiles, alcohol and firearms for slaves at 2 West African Ports - then taken to the 3 Caribbean where they were sold for raw materials such as sugar and cotton and then took this to sell back in 1 England

Question 7

What where the key events for the abolition of the slave trade?

Answer 7

.Quakers potion parliament for the abolition of the slave trade.
.1789 French reveloution followed by slave rebellion at saint - Dominique, French stopped slavery made British want to keep going.
.Napoleon seized power and attempted to restore slavery.
.1806 foreign slave bill.
.1807 slave trade act passed

Question 8

Why was Free trade adopted in 1842 - 46?

Answer 8

.Industrial revolution meant factories employed hundreds of workers who all needed to be fed, and imported food was cheaper.
.Robert Peel (prime mister) was convinced domestic production and working class living would be stimulated by free trade. 
.Britain was in the best place to take advantage of free trade as could make the cheapest products.

Question 9

How did the empire’s economic system change over time?

Answer 9

.First part - a mercantilist protectionist system regulating trade within the empire and its colonies.
.Second part - started around the end of the 18th century, was a free trading industrial empire.

Question 10

What was the impact of the representation of the people’s act 1832?

Answer 10

.Gave manufacturers and consumers greater say in elections, they where generally against protectionism.

Question 11

What where the Navigation Acts?

Answer 11

Passed between 1651 - 73
.Colonial products could only be carried on English built and owned ships
.Certain products; sugar, cotton etc had to be shipped to and English port before they were sent anywhere else
.European imports to English colonies had to land at English port then be sent off.

Question 12

When where the navigation acts repealed?

Answer 12

1849

Question 13

What where the problems of trading with China?

Answer 13

.Heavily regulated

.Had to go through dutch territory with high tariff’s

Question 14

How was Singapore acquired?

Answer 14

.Sir Stamford Raffles established a trading post there for the EIC.
.Negotiated for in Anglo - Dutch treaty due to rapid growth.

Question 15

What was the significance of Singapore being an entrepôt.

Answer 15

.No taxes or tariffs, made Singapore grow extremely fast

.Showed the value of free trade.

Question 16

What where the continued issues with China despite the acquisition of Singapore

Answer 16

.Chinese imposed strict control over trade access, not able to trade directly with suppliers, had to use corrupt middle men.
.Piracy
.EIC had trade imbalance with no British products being bought by the Chinese.

Question 17

What was the Solution to the issues with China after the acquisition of Singapore?

Answer 17

.Imposed Opium to stop trade imbalance, which led to first opium war, and the legalisation of opium.
.This then resulted in the acquisition of Hong Kong 1842.

Question 18

What was the Treaty of Nanking?

Answer 18

.Chinese forced to agree too after the first opium war.
.Cede Hong Kong to Britain
.open ports of; Ningpo, shanghai, Foochow etc
.Lift restrictions to traders in canton

Question 19

What was the significance of Opening up Shanghai?

Answer 19

.Trade with anyone in China.

.Increase opium trade

Question 20

What happened in the acquisition of Zanzibar?

Answer 20

.Zanzibar = important slave / ivory trade post.
.1815 British surpassed slave trade in the region
.Zanzibar 1859 - 79 became more important as an entrepôt for ivory, rubber, cloves
.1890 Britain - Germany signed a deal giving Zanzibar for Britain for a small island in the North Sea.
.1896 Sultan died and cousin seized power, Britain wanted different candidate so bombarded city.