Does the Boer War change Britain’s Imperial position? Before WW1 Britain's main priority was its empire. It had a lot of global influence in the pre-nuclear, euro-centred, imperialist era. Between 1870 and 1914 the empire became a vital contributor to the export growth. By 1914 over a third of British exports went to the empire.
Included in this elite list of empires were the dominant European Empire and the robust Russian Empire. The immense similarities along with the vast differences between the European and the Russian Empires are extremely engaging and influential in the ever-present trend of globalization. The Europeans started their globalization in 1492 when they first landed in the Americas. Columbus’ new found land stirred a frenzy of activity in the new world, including exploration, conquest and ultimately colonization. The speed of Spanish expansion over the region was astonishing.
In addition to the social and political indoctrination and the world wide breakthrough of industrialization during this time, British colonization in India clearly defines the nature which colonial powers can perpetuate their status in a global market by taking advantage of indigenous people for socio-economic prosperity. It is these direct and indirect practices that would prove to be a staple of British imperialism throughout their reign of superiority leading into span of over two centuries. Britain’s 200-year run ruling India began in the mid-17th century when the British East India Company set up trading posts in Bombay, Madras and Calcutta. In 1757, Robert Clive led Company-financed troops – led by British officers and staffed by native soldiers known as sepoys, in a victory over French-backed Indian forces. The victory at the Battle of Plassey made the East India Company the leading power in the country.
What were the benefits and detriments of British Imperialism in India? British Rule in India spans more than 200 years. The British controlled most parts of India, and gave great benefits but also detriments to India. First of all, background information of British rule in India will be given creating a better understanding, secondly, the benefits of Britain's imperialism in India will be talked about, and lastly, Britain's negative impacts to India in 1740+, as Britain exploited India. First of all, British became interested in India in the 1600's.
The Indian Ocean was a power trading region that encouraged the spread of religion, crops, languages and people. Goods and ideas were traded consistently throughout this 1,100 year time period, but the traders, merchants, powers, trading systems, and some of the products changed from 650 to 1750. Trade flourished as the spices, textiles, manufactured goods, and raw goods of the Indian Ocean became staples that the western world came to depend on heavily. But, trade of these items was already in effect long before the Europeans arrived. This continuity of sea trade can be seen throughout 650-1750, rising and falling at times.
ETHS 305 June 14, 2011 Exam 2 A. The history of the world seems to be closely tied to the process of imperialism. But the biggest Nation in Europe took imperialism to its highest level from a couple of centuries ago. Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Germany and Japan in Asian managed to carve up the world among themselves by slashing and dicing through civilizations around the world in order to satisfy their thirst for prestige, power and wealth. During the 18th century when these kingdoms need raw material and market for their production, they turn to Africa, North and South America, Asian and Australia.
Why was Britain able to create a worldwide empire by the mid-nineteenth century? The sources are in clear agreement that economics played a huge part in the creation of a worldwide empire by the mid-nineteenth century, as shown by source one “no one any more seriously doubts that capitalist pressures (economics) were the primary reasons for Britain’s Imperial expansion in the nineteenth century” and by Source two “Britain dominated the global economy.” Source three also supports the importance of economics, “Britain owned around 1/3 of the world’s merchant shipping tonnage.” Source three suggests, however, that the reason Britain was able to create a worldwide empire by the mid-nineteenth century was “thanks to the unrivalled productivity of her shipyards” and the power of the British Military, “Imperial competitors and nations that resisted British influence faced annihilation.” Source four also supports this reason with a quote from the Foreign Secretary and later Prime Minister Palmerstone, “Competitors and “half-civilised governments” needed to “not only see the stick, but feel it on their shoulders before they yield.”” Economics was a major factor as to why Britain was able to create a worldwide empire. Source one supports this “capitalist pressures (economics) were the primary reason for Britain’s imperial expansion in the nineteenth century.” Source two highlights the importance of economics in the creation of a worldwide empire “by controlling the crucial “avenues of empire” Britain dominated the global economy.” By controlling the avenues of empire “the British “could access all markets, and shut out other nations.” Source three also suggests that the reason Britain was so powerful economically was down to “the industrial revolution” and it was this that managed to “transform the world economy and the international balance of power” in Britain’s
Germany had only been a united country since 1871 however by 1914 it had built up a strong army, navy and had the beginnings of an overseas empire. As you can see, Germany since its unison had been very competitive and ambitious against the other ‘leading’ countries. I feel that this may have brought the other countries resentment, especially Britain. Britain had been known as and was the main industrial country in Europe for over 100 years but Germany had very quickly grown into a powerful country. This would have caused Britain some concern, especially because the leader over Britain was cousins with the Kaiser, this would have brought extra tension between them as they both wanted their country to be the best.
How far do you agree that the economy of Tsarist Russia was transformed in the years to 1914? During the Tsarist rule, Russia’s economy dramatically changed both for the positive and the bad. Every Tsar wanted one thing. To modernise Russia from which they saw to be dramatically, economically behind countries across Europe. Their main of doing this was by building the trans-Siberian railway and was thought to be ‘the way forward’ for Russia.
By the time World War I broke out in the late summer of 1914, “Western” nations occupied or controlled, by a variety of different methods, nearly ninety percent of the world’s land mass. England alone controlled nearly one-fifth of the world and a quarter of the population. During the late nineteenth century, many leaders came to believe that the possession of colonies and imperial influence was an important or necessary characteristic of a great European power. The success of European imperialism (colonialism) in general combined a system of “domestic political and economic stability with the production of national prestige and closed markets in the international arena through conquest.” [1] The years between 1870 and 1914 saw the spread