Britain’s strategic motives in Africa centred on thwarting the growth of rival European powers as well as securing its interests in Africa. However there was a clear symbiotic relationship between strategic and economic concerns, during the expansion period. One of the first incidents in Africa where this was made manifest was when Britain invaded Egypt in 1882. The Suez Canal was of major strategic importance as it allowed ships to access the empires ‘Jewel in the crown’ India faster, through the red sea instead on going around Africa, as well as faster transportation of Arab oil. The canal was also of economic significance as historian Simon Smith reminds us that ‘80% of the Suez traffic was British, and13% of Britain’s trade passed through the canal’ , this is due to most of Britain’s trade with India passing through the Suez.
The British involvement in Africa was down to economic reasons; this is clear throughout the time period as most events which take place in Africa can be linked back to economy. One of the most important ecological was the purchase of 44% of the shares in the Suez Canal, these became available when the leader of Egypt; Khedvie Ismali became bankrupt and had to be bailed out. Disraeli bought the Egyptian shares in the canal for £3,976,582 in 1875. The purchasing of these shares was important as it gave Britain influence over this area, but also it opened a direct trade route with India. Due to British and French influence in the area, Britain and France assume dual control of Egypt’s finances.
Much of this economic emphasis was brought about by the industrial revolution, which created large surpluses of European capital and heavy demands for raw materials. Additionally, it brought about the accumulation of capital in which England sought investment abroad. The British had also forced China to open itself to the Opium trade in the 1840's. China in the middle of a social upheaval; The Tai Ping rebellion, was unable to prevent foreign domination of its trade. By the end of the 19th century, England, Germany, Russia, Japan, and the United States had all compelled China to trade with
Ironically, the _________ were the world’s greatest slave traders and later became the most aggressive suppressers of the slave trade. 18. Africans wanted European manufactured goods, so when the ___________ ended, Africans expanded their ___________ trade by developing new exports. 19. The most successful export from West Africa after abolition was _________________.
All of history has been determined through a serious of economic, social, and political causes. After the Industrial Revolution the nations of Europe had advanced their industries and economy vastly. They turned to the rest of the world looking for raw materials and a new market to trade with. Thus, the colonization of Africa and other less-developed nations began, and is referred to as new imperialism. The Europeans asserted their dominance over these less-developed areas for economic reasons, but also to spread European customs and heighten the sense of pride they had in their nation.
Britain also established companies in India and Africa. Due to the trade between the colonies via the companies, Britain started to generate a large consistent income. Mercantilist policies were introduced shortly after 1680. A factor that led to Britain gaining its reputation and wealth were that it established a strong connection with its merchants. The merchants were happy to trade with Britain as a policy of Britain was to protect its clients.
Michael Nemer November 20, 2012 History 102 European Imperialism There were two main phases during the era of European Imperialism, the rise and use of the Atlantic system in the 18th Century, jump-starting the slave trade across the Atlantic, and the "new" European Imperialism of the 19th Century, in which imperial expansion increased greatly . Although there were some differences, varying from country to country, all created both positive and negative responses and all Europeans had the same ideas and basic principles, which were to bring wealth and power back to their home nation. European Imperialism began with Mercantilist Empires in Europe to acquire gold, silver, and other foreign goods that reflected wealth onto their country. European
It led into the understanding for a need for foreign trade to expand, to at least increase foreign trade to help aid the American economy through times of depression. It led to the Spanish American war and unrest with American citizens regarding the moral issues of expanding. Religion, racial rights, and the economy were all major players in the American imperialism policy. Through the blood shed and the many treaties which were signed, the policy did bring America closer to foreign relations for trade and opened doors for communication where there originally were none. And, as a French diplomat was once quoted “The United States is seated at the table where the great game is played and it cannot leave.” The battle for expansion continued on into the 20th century.
European Imperialism in Africa and Asia European nations followed to establish trade contacts in Africa and Asia. Their influence in the non-Western world increased gradually in the next three centuries. Beginning in 1870, European nations moved rapidly to extend their control over almost all of Africa and in most of Asia. The industrialized nations competed with each other for natural resources and raw materials such as copper, rubber, petroleum, and cotton after the Industrial Revolution spread within Europe. The industrial middle class, who had gained greater influence in the governments in Europe, encouraged imperialist ventures to seize control in Africa and Asia.
Louis A. Tiseo October 12, 2009 American Imperialism The interest of American Imperialism was sparked by the growing European expansion worldwide. Advancementsof trade by the western nations grew more and more prominent leaving Europeans the front runner for exporting goods. In the later part of the nineteenth century, global empires brought the need for arms, communication, transportation, and commerce. The speed and efficiency of the European expansion brought concern by Americans on the take-over and control of global imperialism. As we know it, American Imperialism was initially thought to be without conquest and had cherished values such as democracy and free-enterprise capitalism.