Trade and Commerce from 1857 to 1947

The Industrial Revolution spurred Britain's rise as the global trade leader by the 1850s.

Britain's industrial dominance created a cycle of dependence with its colonies, supplying raw materials for processing into finished goods, which in turn were sold back to the colonies.

The Industrial Revolution led to Britain's dominance in key industries, such as coal, cotton and iron, contributing to 60% of global trade by the 1850s.

The development of the compound steam engine in the 1850s revolutionized trade and transportation.

The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 dramatically reduced travel time between Britain and India by 6000 miles, strengthening British control over trade in the East.

Britain's investment and control of railways in colonial territories expanded and reinforced its economic and political influence.

Britain's navy rose to global dominance, facilitated by the development of powerful weapons like Maxim guns and breech-loading rifles.

From the mid-19th century, Britain embraced free trade, reducing tariffs and regulations, making its manufactured goods cheaper and increasing demand globally.

Free trade expanded British economic influence, creating new markets in Latin America, the Middle East, and China.

British economic dominance was bolstered by 'informal imperialism', using economic means and influence to control territories without formal annexation.

The Second Opium War (1858) forced China to open its markets to British merchants and legalize the opium trade, demonstrating 'informal imperialism'.

The threat of Russia's expansion, particularly towards India, fueled British imperial ambitions and led to military interventions, such as the Second Anglo-Afghan War.

The emergence of France and Germany as industrial powers in the 1870s challenged Britain's dominance and spurred a scramble for colonies, leading to formal annexations.

The Berlin Conference (1884-85) formalized the 'scramble for Africa', with Britain annexing territories to protect its economic interests against European rivals.

British imperialism in the 19th century was driven by the desire to expand its global economic influence, sometimes through formal annexation to protect its markets and interests.

Britain's interest in Southern Africa grew significantly after the discovery of diamonds at Kimberley in the 1870s.

Cecil Rhodes was a powerful mining magnate who pushed for British expansion in Southern Africa, particularly in the Zambezi region.

In 1890, Britain issued an ultimatum to Portugal, demanding their withdrawal from territories claimed by Britain in the Zambezi region. This action was fueled by Cecil Rhodes' desire to consolidate his commercial and territorial control in the area.

Chartered companies were used by Britain to establish and solidify their trade in various regions. These companies held a monopoly on commerce, possessed military power, and took on administrative duties as needed to maintain their control.

East India Company's control over India from the mid-1700s transitioned smoothly into direct British rule under the Government of India Act in 1858.

The Long Depression of the 1870s led to a renewed interest in acquiring overseas markets for British goods. The growing competition from other European powers further fuelled this need.

Individuals like George Goldie, Cecil Rhodes, and William Mackinnon, known as ‘merchant imperialists’, were given formal British authority to establish political and legal control over African territories to protect their economic interests.

William Mackinnon's Imperial British East Africa Company, established in 1888, aimed to secure trade routes by controlling present-day Kenya, Uganda, and Somalia.

When the Imperial British East Africa Company collapsed, the territory under its control was divided into the Uganda Protectorate in 1894 and the East Africa Protectorate in 1895.

George Goldie's Royal Niger Company took control of the Lower Niger River in 1884, securing Britain's access to the valuable palm oil trade and establishing 30 trading posts.

The Royal Niger Company established political and legal control over the region through treaties with indigenous chiefs, solidifying Britain's commercial foothold in Nigeria.

The empire ensured access to overseas markets for Britain, providing a source of cheap raw materials and a guaranteed market for British manufactured goods.

Britain imported significant quantities of wheat from Canada, lamb from New Zealand, and railway equipment from Britain. India alone consumed 20% of British exports by 1914.

The empire provided a stable environment for British investors, with fixed exchange rates creating profitable opportunities.