The Expansion Of The British Empire In Africa Flashcards
How had Europe developed by the 1880s? (4 ways)
. Undergone Industrial Revolution
. Acquired better military
. New technology to move troops
. Better medically prepared
How did Industrial Revolution influence expansion of British empire in Africa?
. Need for markets and raw materials
. Britain dropped old attitude of free trade and informal political control for trade monopoly and colonial imperialism.
What ways had Europe acquired better military by 1880s?
. Breech-loading rifles
. Maxim guns
. Didn’t rely on the flint guns the Africans had
What new technology did Europe have by 1880s to help move troops?
Steamships, railways and the telegraph
How was Europe better medically prepared by 1880s?
Antidote against malaria
What is one basic way the British empire can be viewed?
As the product of a desire to seek out new foodstuffs and resources (such as valuable minerals)
How was the first ‘swing to the East’ caused?
At the end of the 18th century, Britain’s American colonies were lost which started Britain’s interest in Africa?
What is the ‘Swing to the East’?
The British Empire extending their influence to Asia and Africa
Why was it now possible for the British empire to establish footholds in the East?
The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century created steamships and weapon production
Where were Britain’s colonies in America during the 18th century?
On the East Coast of North America
Why were there disputes in Britain’s American colonies?
. 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.
When was the American Revolutionary war, what was the result and what did it cause?
1775, British defeated. Former colonies joined to form USA in 1783
When was the Indian Rebellion/mutiny?
1857
What are 9 reasons for the establishment of the British empire?
. 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
Why did the British empire get involved in trade overseas?
. 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
What were strategical reasons for British expansion?
To prevent other European powers having that land and for trade along borders
What were three strategic British colonies of the British empire?
. Gibraltar
. Malta (entrance to the Mediterranean)
. Falkland Islands (south Atlantic guard for sea colonies)
What were the religious/cultural reasons for expansion of the empire, particularly in the 19th century?
. 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
How did competition with other nations influence expansion of the empire?
. 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
What evidence is there that those taken over by British colonies weren’t all annoyed about it?
A Dalit community in Uttar Pradesh built a shrine to the goddess English in February 2011
What is the evidence to argue that many colonies got real benefits from Britain?
British language in India by 1947
What are the 6 benefits of the locations of the state of British colonies in 1857?
. Exclusive resources
. Influence
. Trade
. Perception of power
. Easy access to countries on borders
. Lots of outposts
What were weaknesses of locations of colonies in the state of the empire in 1857?
. Hostility from natives
. Large distance between some colonies
. Many stretched thinly across territories
Why was there a renewed interest in the empire in the late 19th century?
. 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
When was Britain’s trade slump in the late C.19?
1873
What were the reasons for increased British interest in Africa in late C.19?
. End of empire in America due to war in 1775-83 over disputes over taxes caused a ‘swing to the east
What were the reasons for increased interest in Africa in the late C.19?
. 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.
When was the slave trade outlawed?
1807
How did trade and the economy influence British expansion into Africa?
. 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
What was Britain’s ‘cycle of dependency’ that came about in the late 19th century in Africa?
Britain used African resources to manufacture textiles to sell back to Africa, particularly during the Great Depression
When was Britain’s Great Depression?
1873-1896
How did personal influence impact expansion into Africa in the late 19th century?
. 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.
