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Summary Section 2 of The British Empire c
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Chapters 8 to 12 concerning the OXFORD AQA A LEVEL HISTORY UNIT 1J British Empire book . Summary notes/class notes. Condensed down completely.
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Section 2: Imperial consolidation and Liberal rule, c1890-1914What countries in Africa did Britain take control of in the years 1890-1914? Explain why and how:
1) Ashantiland
●British actions in Ashantiland are typical of how they acted to protect own territories. In 1890s, tired of skirmishes
with the Ashanti in trying to claim coastal land, the British demanded their king (Prempeh), turn over remainder of his
empire to Britain as protectorate.
●This led to fourth Anglo-Ashanti War. Britain conquered Ashanti territories and forced Prempeh from his throne in
1896. A further and final uprising in 1900 led to Britain’s formal annexation of the Kingdom in 1900 and it was
formally incorporated into the Gold Coast colony in 1902.
2) Nigeria
● British laid claim to Nigeria by virtue of occupation of Royal Niger Company, established in 1876, and by agreement with French
in
1890. French agreed to recognise Britain’s domination in area in return for Madagascar.
●The British government took over the responsibilities of the Royal Niger Company and established direct British control in the north
in
1900, the south in 1906. Nigeria was eventually unified in 1914.
3) Uganda
● In the 19th century, Anglican and French Catholic missionaries as well as Zanzibari Muslims lived in Buganda achieved success in
converting people. In 1886, King Mwanga asserted authority, executing 30 Catholics & Protestants, causing to civil war.
Promised British he’d hand over some sovereignty to Imperial British East Africa Company in return for becoming king again. In
1890,
he signed a treaty with Lord Lugard on behalf of Imperial British East Africa Company, ceding powers over revenue, trade and
administration of justice to company.
Transferred to crown in 1894 and Buganda became a protectorate, as part of Uganda.
● Britain constructed Ugandan railway from Mombosa in 1896 to connect coast with the fertile lands bordering Lake Victoria, which
consolidated Britain’s takeover of both the East Africa Protectorate and Uganda.
660 miles, took 5 years and £5 million to build and took lives of around 2500 labourers, usually due to accidents, disease and also
wildlife. Known as ‘Lunatic Line’ as crazy events took place during construction: i.e. Tsavo Incident, where around 35-100 rail
workers were attacked and eaten by 2 lions.
4)Kenya
● British interests in Kenya dated back to Berlin Conference. Offered route to Uganda.
● British made use of succession dispute between native Mazrui and Muslim majority to force control. Sheikh Rashid took up arms
against British, obtaining weapons from the Germans, taking the British 9 months to quell. Eventually, this became part of British East
Africa.
5) Zanzibar
● Ceded to British influence as part of 1890 treaty between Germans and British establishing spheres of influence.
Declared protectorate of British Empire in 1890 and installed their own pupper (Sultan Thuwani).
● Died in 1896 mysteriously in his palace, amidst rumours of poison. His cousin Khalid rose quickly to power which concerned the
British, whom they asked to stand down.
,When he refused, a naval bombardment of the palace took place. It was infamous in being the shortest war, lasting 38 minutes, when
he
stood down.
6) Nyasaland
● British sought control of Nyasaland because it was discovered by Livingstone and was on shore of the Lake Nyasa.
● Faced Portuguese-backed Arab attacks until it became of Cecil Rhodes’ British South Africa Company in 1891. Guerrilla warfare
continued on and off until 1897 and eventually became part of British South Africa Protectorate in 1907.
Describe the Sudan campaign:
● Mahdist rebellion of 1881, which brought about death of General Gordon in 1885 in Khartoum, left the area in weakened state.
Khalifa Abdullah, who had succeeded Mahdi, trying to bring together his state but was plagued by war from internal resistance
fighters and famine.
● Gladstone always wanted to withdraw troops from Egypt as soon as it was safe but after Conservative Prime Minister Salisbury was
elected in 1885, Salisbury had a growing concern for Sudan as he wanted to maintain Egypt for the Suez Canal. Salisbury was also
worried about other European nations trying to intervene in Egypt. British were concerned about French and German expansion in
East Africa.
● Britain signed a treaty with Germany in 1890 whereby they took Tanganyika and Britain took Kenya and Uganda. French although
persuaded to keep eyes on West Africa began eyeing up East Africa later.
Italian forces fighting Abdullah were seen as positive as it meant that their attention was away from Egyptian border however when
they were defeated in 1896, this divisionary support was lost.
● The incident at Adowa in 1896 gave Britain an excuse for his campaign in the Sudan as he could argue for it due to African
barbarianism. Kitchener was appointed Chief of Egyptian Army in 1896 and given orders to penetrate Sudanese territory as far as
Dongola, but Kitchener was determined to go further as far as Khartoum and establish control of Sudan. Additional forces and
imperialist support helped him succeed at the Battle of Omdurman.
● Kitchener was then ordered to go to Fashoda on the headwaters of the Nile, where
French expedition arrived. Both laid claims to the region but the meeting wasn’t particularly fiery and in Britain, the ‘Fashoda
incident’ was viewed with fear as talks of war with the French arose.
● In agreements in 1899, the French promised to stay out of the Nile in return for territory further west. Also, a British and Egypt
agreement led Egyptian-Sudan to be established as a ‘condominium’ whereby Sudan would be run with Egyptian support.
Describe the Jameson Raid:
● Idea of British confederation of South Africa was pushed in 1890s, largely to counter German territorial gains and Boer confidence
derived from Transvaal gold wealth.
●In 1895, gold seeking Uitlanders of the Transvaal, who were being denied citizenship and voting rights by the Boer government,
sought
help of Cecil Rhodes, who was one of leading magnates of the Rand goldfield. This provided excuse for British intervention.
● Jameson raid was launched on Transvaal from British Rhodesia by Dr Jameson, Rhodes’ agent. They were going to work with the
Uitlanders, who eventually pulled out, to rise against the Boer government. Without the Uitlanders, Rhodes still instructed Jameson to
invade Transvaal with only 500 mounted police. Defeated easily: Jameson and 12 companions sentenced to imprisonment by a British
court. Rhodes forced to resign.
● Although Britain never formerly opposed it, Chamberlain covertly gave support by not doing anything. He didn’t want war but
didn’t
, want British influence weakened and when trying to sort the situation with Boers, talks broke down in 1899. The Boers, anxious to
strike
a blow before the British South African Army could be reinforced, invaded British territory and sieged Ladysmith in Natal.
● This led to Second Boer War. Initially the Boers had some success, but British poured in nearly 400,000 imperial troops at £250
million
cost. General Kitchener and Roberts also led campaigns. Even then, Boers weren’t defeated till 1902.
● The Peace of Vereenignig in May 1902 ended war.
Boers acknowledged themselves as British subjects and Boer republics became British colonies with promise of self-government as
other white settler colonies did.
Granted in 1905 and in 1908, Prime Ministers of Transvaal, Orange Free State, Cape Colony and Natal drew constitution for ‘Union of
South Africa’. The Union of South Africa became a dominion in 1910.
What were the main reasons for British expansion in Africa in the years 1890-1914?
● STRATEGIC, ECONOMIC AND IMPERIALISTIC
Egyptian expansion was perhaps because of Suez Canal. Zanzibar and Uganda establishment was
because of fact it allowed consolidation of East African expansion → Ugandan Railway, 660 miles was
to allow coast and highlands direct access. Kenya expanded into as it offered route to Uganda. Cape
Colony and Transvaal conflict rooted from Uitlanders and gold → Rhodes’ actions were not liked by
British but they had to defend British interest → eventually led to Union of South Africa in 1910.
● EUROPEAN RIVALS – Nigeria established because Britain already had charter company (Royal
Niger Company established 1879) in the region and French interests grew. Zanzibar was eyed by the
Germans and settled in 1890 treaty. Sudan annexed due to Fashoda incident with French and Italians and
French eyeing up territories before however this was finally settled in 1899 when the French agreed to
not push onto Nile.
● PROTECTING OWN TERRITORIES – Ashantiland annexed in 1896 when Prempeh was forced
from throne due to them causing skirmishes in trying to annex territory on the coasts of West Africa and
the Gold Coast.
How did Britain administer India in the years 1890-1914?
a) How was India governed?
● Head of government was Viceroy backed by Indian Civil Service, which was almost entirely white British and recruited
from Oxford and Cambridge. Ensured regime was secure, profitable and content for natives. Strict restrictions on size of
service because pay and pensions were costly → no more than 3-4 per district.
● Rule required collaboration with natives and rulers. Education and expansion of railways enabled Indians to learn English
and modernisation. Economic and social development meant Britain had to interfere economically and physically → tax
collection and city/urban growth.
● Indian Civil Service often relied on ‘divide and rule’ to hold British rule in India, emphasising divisions between race,
language, religion, caste, occupation and region.
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