Empire Topic 1 - Pax Britannica - Naval Bases Flashcards
(14 cards)
Gibralter Contextual Importance
- Situated between Mediterranean and Atlantic Oceans
- Straits seperate Europe and Africa by 13km
- Served as first line of defence against rivals, tied down large amount of men and ships
- 1792 and 1805 proved perfect staging post for attacking French
When was the Siege of Gibralter (non-Napoleonic)?
Between 8th July 1779 and 2nd February 1883
When did British Acquire Ceylon?
1802
In what treaty did British acquire Ceylon?
Treaty of Amiens, 1802.
What made Ceylon important?
- One of only places in the world cinammon could be acquired.
- Cinammon was a valuable commodity and EIC became interested in 1767.
- Staging post for Asian, particularly Indian, trade.
What ship arrived first to Ceylon and how much money did it yield?
HMS Suffolk - yielded £300,000 in goods.
When did Malta unofficially and officially become a British protectorate?
- 1800 unofficially.
- Confirmed by Treaty of Paris 1814
When was Cape Town acquired by British?
1815
Significance of acquisition of Cape Town? Also how was Gibraltar relavent here?
- Vital stop-off to India and far-east.
- Gibraltar helped stop French disrupt shipping voyage to Cape Town.
When did British take control of Falklands?
1833
Significance of Falkland Islands?
- Only valuable commodity was seals.
- However, was crucial alongside Cape and Australia in controlling seas in Southern Hemisphere and Pacific.
- Becamse vital coal supply depot after development of steam powered Naval ships after 1850.
Who seized Aden and when?
The ‘Honourable’ East India Company in 1839
Why did EIC seize Aden?
- Rumours of Suez Canal construction.
- Aden would allow British to project power over Suez Region, which would prevent significant piracy and also allow British to wage war economically on other powers.
How much debt was Aden in by 1854? how is this significant?
£28,000, in questions can be used to argue against it’s importance.
