informal empire

Question 1

Iran

Answer 1

1891 - a British business bought the rights for the entire Iranian tobacco industry

1901 - a British business, the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, bought all the rights to Iran’s oil for a period of 60 years

Question 2

Latin America

Answer 2

Some of the informal empire was controlled through commercial agreements

For example, public capital in Latin America reached £80 million in 1865

Question 3

China

Answer 3

By the treaties of Nanking (1842) and Tientsin (1858) the British grained trading bases settled by British people and governed by British laws

Britain used its power to threaten to disrupt the lucrative opium trade

Question 4

East Africa

Answer 4

Britain was able to exercise its influence of the Sultanate of Zanzibar in east Africa through the activities of the trader John Kirk

1891 - government was established which made the Sultan’s first minister British

Question 5

South America

Answer 5

Accounted for 10% of British imports and exports in the second half of the 19th century

Sometimes threats of force were used to maintain trade agreements.

Argentina - 10% of all foreign investment between 1850 - 1900 was here. 100s miles of railways were constructed