Trade - importance of government policy in shaping changes to patterns of trade Flashcards
When did the Seven Years War end and who won?
Britain in 1763
What % of GDP was British government debt in 1763?
157%
What % of GDP was British government debt in 1821?
260%
When did American War of Independence start?
1775
Why did American War of Independence start?
no taxation without representation
What is protectionism?
taxes or prohibitions on exports and imports to protect domestic producers
What is mercantilism?
government intervention to ensure value of exports more than value of imports, ie positive balance of trade
When was free trade granted to Ireland why?
1779 to prevent civil unrest
What and when was the Scramble for Africa?
Period of rapid imperial expansion 1881-1914 during which European powers divided and colonised almost whole of Africa
When did Quakers petition parliament for abolition of slave trade?
1783
When was Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade established?
1787
What was the Middle Passage?
crossing of Atlantic from Africa to West Indies frequently used by slave traders
What was the Triangular Trade?
slave trade route between Europe, West Africa and Caribbean
How did the Triangular Trade work?
- goods such as textiles, alcohol and firearms transported from English ports
- those goods traded in West Africa for slaves
- slaves traded for raw materials eg sugar and cotton
Give an example of the money to be made from triangular trade voyage.
In 1798, Lottery sailed from Liverpool. Ship cost £2k, carried £8k of goods to West Africa, traded for slaves, with 453 sold for £23k, so even ignoring any further profit on return goods a profit of £12k was made.
By 1790s how many ships per year were sailing from Liverpool on triangular trade?
120-130, which was majority of European slave voyages
How did slave trade help Britain to fight European wars?
Government collected taxes and tariffs then used to finance Royal Navy.
What did the Gentleman’s Magazine claim in 1766 re MPs?
That more than 40 MPs were eitehr planters or had interests in plantations
How did abolitionists led by William Wilberforce campaign?
grass-roots campaign, ie aimed at public rather than directly at MPs, with pamphlets, posters, debates and books showing evidence of horrors of slavery
When did French Revolution start?
1789
When was France declared a republic?
1792
When was Haitian rebellion?
1791 to 1804
How did France react to Haitian rebellion?
freed the slaves
What was Haiti called at the time?
Saint-Domingue
How did Britain react to France freeing Haitian slaves?
It invaded the island with aim of restoring the sugar and coffee plantations and seizing the colony, but was defeated due to disease and freed slaves fighting back.