Q: Describe the main reasons for British Imperialism by referring

to examples
The 17th century began the territorial expansion that soon struck the
world and became a trend in the European nations. The British Empire was
known as the worlds greatest, by its Imperial territories and their regions.
Emerging from one country to numerous colonies, in the scope of a few
centuries, the British dominance began with
the push for Imperialism. Imperialism is known
as the expanding of territories for political and
economic gain. Imperialism, or colonisation,
was supported by the English due to its access
to riches and commodities of importance, like
Africa was pursued for its vast land and India
for its potential to provide new markets. As well
as its impact in the security of the people,
colonies also provided funding for a strong and
resourceful military. Imperialism formed a basis
of national prestige and moral influence. The
colonies of an Empire were often quite far, so distance and
oceanic boundaries were issues in the transportation of goods
and services, as well as the communication, which in turn,
motivated the spread and conquering of more colonies. With the
distances, it was difficult for an Empire to impose laws to restrain and
avoid mutiny and revolts in their colonies. However, the beneficial aspects
of colonies were of greater importance. There were five main reasons for
Imperialism. National power and prestige, moral obligations, strategic,
military and economic advances all served as key motives for Imperialism.
National Power & Prestige:
An Empires territorial extent outlined its power and status. As
colonies proved beneficial to the Empire,
there was a growing urge to expand their
territory. European countries spread their
provinces to be the largest and the
strongest. It was for both protecting their
economy, as well as protecting their
The
security to avoid being taken over. Britain
Great Exhibition of 1851 displaying
continued to expand their empire to remain arrangements from India.
the largest and strongest European one. It
was often seen as a competition for land. In 1853, Earl Grey, a politician
regrading colonial matters wrote; I consider then, that the British colonial
empire ought to be maintained, principally because I do not consider that

the nation would be justified in throwing off the responsibility it has

incurred by the acquisition of this dominion, and because I believe that
much of the power and influence of this country depends on having its
large colonial possessions in different parts of the world1 His argument
emphasised the fear of the loss of colonial territories. He claimed that
without those territories, Britain would lose its status and power. At times,
they would conquer lands for merely the sense of national greatness and
because others did so too. Britain also enjoyed exhibiting their colonial
possessions. More so, they would show off their colonial advancements.
The Great Exhibition of 1851 consisted of a series of works in London
imported from their colonies, displaying their imperial pride and
achievement, and their extravagant accomplishments. These were
demonstrations of their imperial colonies and their resourceful
achievements.
Moral:
Some European empires felt it their obligation to bring civilisation to other
regions of the world. The spread of territories provided opportunity for
their advanced societies to transfer their customs and religions to the less
fortunate. They believed it was an issue
of White Mans Burden, that is; The
supposed or presumed responsibility of
white people to govern and impart their
culture to non-white people, often
advanced as a justification for European
colonialism.2 Missionaries played a huge
role in this process. Once a territory was
gained, missionaries were sent into the
A colonies to convert natives of that
country. In most cases, the missionaries
ssimilation; Australia.in the
were hostile and aggressive. 40,000
1900s.
Roman Catholics and 20,000 Protestants from Britain spread all over
Britains colonies in Asia and Africa, in hopes of exporting their culture and
values. Their methods often invoked revolts over the Christian restraint
and suppression. Even so, with all this Christian spirit, Black people from
Africa were severely mistreated. Africa was pursued for its vast land and
easy battles over the native tribesmen. However, the Indigenous were
used for trade and resourcesas slaves in other colonies. This
contradicted what they thought was their moral duty.
Military:
1

Marshall PJM, 1996, Illustrated History of the British Empire, Cambridge University Press, Great Britain

http://www.answers.com/topic/the-white-man-s-burden

There were also military advantages to the concept of

Imperialism. In order to conquer such territories, and to
remain in possession of them, a great and powerful military
was required. The military was useful for maintaining
revolts in colonies, as well as ensuring they remain in the
power of Britain. Heavy costs were put on taxation and
interest rates to fund for the military, and the riches of the
colonies often paid for the troops and weapons. Britain
acquired almost an unlimited number of troops working for 1801 Engraving of
them after gaining the territories of India. In 1820, there Indian Troops
were over 200,000 Indians working for the British military.
Expansion relied heavily on the military. Often, to protect one colony,
expansion to other regions was required. Britain relied economically on
India, and in order to protect it, needed an influence in the Middle East.
Further steps to extend in those regions were then taken. The military
served great importance to the power and prestige of the Empire, as
economic funding from the colonies paid for the military, and the military
ensured the colonies remained in their power. The military won easy wars
against the Indigenous Africans with their great weapons and their
numbers which were all funded by the colonies. Had the military been
weak, they would not be able to retrieve and maintain possession of
further colonies. Therefore a loss of empires, led to a loss of materials,
which then meant a loss of military, which in turn was leading to a loss of
power and status.
Economic:
As the military, prestige and economy coexisted and relied upon
each other, the commerce of the colony was crucial. The more land an
empire had, the more profitable enterprises possible. The
markets were very competitive for money and trading
purposes. Empires feared losing money, so in order to
minimise purchasing from other empires, they pursued
lands of which they could produce their own goods.
Britain conquered India as it supported them with cotton,
tea and sugar at low costs. With Canada, they had a
for
supply of wheat and timber, and from Australia they Advertisement
Canadian Timber
gained wool. All these colonial markets were made only
for the British market. Colonies were urged to trade only with Britain, to
ensure the Empires goods and commodities were fulfilled first. With
trading, tax purposes and interest rates also
offered more income. The Europeans also
exploited the resources of their colonies. The
native Belgians in the Congo were forced to

Native Belgians holding

severed hands with British

climb high trees in the jungles to collect rubber for their European
masters. The rubber was syrup-like, and in order to dry it, it was spread
upon their bodiespainful when peeled off of their skin. The soldiers to
the British were natives and were often mistrusted. So the native soldiers
would have to prove that any bullet used was used to kill someonenot
saved for a mutiny or wasted by hunting. The custom of shooting then
cutting off a native workers hand was used for any misconduct.
Strategic:
Strategic reasons were also a common motive for Imperialism. Ports,
canals and other routes connecting different colonies were used during
the French Revolution. Friendly ports were required for ships to stop at,
either to drop off resources to that colony, to pick up resources for another
colony, or to refuel and resupply the ship. Certain colonies were even
acquired to secure trade routes, like that of the one through Egypt. Egypt
was conquered by the British to comprise a route from India back to
Britain. The ship would pass along other colonies of the British Empire,
and then the resources
would
be
passed
through Egypt. This
strategy was used to
avoid
the
voyage
around all of Africa,
which would be time
and
resource
consuming, as well as
unsecure as foreign
colonies bordered it.
However,
in
such
situations
when
a
colony is so crucial, it
entails further protection and security. For each province, another is taken
to ensure the previous is protected. When Egypt became of such
importance regarding the trade routes, the British found it necessary to
then take Sudan as its own territory, and provide further safety measures.
As well, Papua New Guinea was commonly seen to modern Australia as a
barrier from an invasion from European countries. In 1884 it was declared
German New Guinea under Bismarcks (Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs
in Germany) foreign policy. This struck fear into the North Queensland
Colony.
Fearing an invasion, they appealed to Britain in support.
Protecting their colonial possessions, Britain sent troops who returned to
Papua and declared the South-West area their colony again.

Today, Imperialism and the conquering of other territories is no

longer an accepted custom. The United Nations, led by the USA, wrote in
the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Concerned that indigenous peoples have suffered from historic injustices
as a result of, inter alia, their colonisation and dispossession of their
lands, territories and resources, thus preventing them from exercising, in
particular, their right to development in accordance with their own needs
and interests3 Therefore, the natives of a country suffered from
colonialism and their exploitations, they will then be regarded as equals
with the rest of society and colonies would exist no more. In regards to
Britain, their colonial possessions have significantly decreased and formed
to be independent nations.

Bibliography:

1. Benjamin, TB. 2007, Encyclopedia of Western Colonialism since 1450 First Edition,
Macmillian Reference, USA.
2. Marshall PJM, 1996, Illustrated History of the British Empire, Cambridge University
Press, Great Britain.
3. Farmer, AF. 2001, An Introduction to Nineteenth Century European History 18151914, Hodder & Sloughton, Great Britain.
4. LE Snellgrove, 1981, The Modern World Since 1870, Second Edition, Longman
Histories, Hong Kong.
5. Cunliffe, BC. 2004, The Illustrated History of Britain and Ireland, Penguin Books,
England.
6.

Thomas, NT. Losche, DL. 1999, Double Vision: Art Histoires and Colonial
Histories in the Pacific. Cambridge University Press, Great Britain.

7. Dalziel, ND. 2005, Historical Atlas of the British Empire, Penguin Books, England.
8. Adobe Format, Last Viewed 23/7/11. http://www.historiasiglo20.org/MEC-BC/4th
level/4his/19thcentury/colonialism3.doc
9. Colonialism in India, Viewed on 23/7/11
http://www2.needham.k12.ma.us/nhs/cur/Baker_00/2001_p4/baker_mr_rl_p4/colon
ialism.htm
3

http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/en/drip.html

10. Wikipedia, 16/7/11, Wikimedia Foundation Inc. Viewed on 23/7/11

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonialism
11. Dennet, BD. Dixon, SD. 2010. Key Features of Modern History, Oxford University
Press. Victoria, Australia
Report Sources (Primary):

12. Introduction: Map of Africa:

Dalziel, ND. 2005, Historical Atlas of the British Empire, Penguin Books, England.

13. Pride & Prestige: Quote

Earl Grey: Marshall PJM, 1996, Illustrated History of the British Empire, Cambridge
University Press, Great Britain.

14. Military: Engraving Artwork

Indian Soliders in 1801: Dalziel, ND. 2005, Historical Atlas of the British Empire,
Penguin Books, England.

15. Economic: Photograph

Exploitation in the Congo: Dennet, BD. Dixon, SD. 2010. Key Features of Modern
History, Oxford University Press. Victoria, Australia.
16. Economic: Advertisement:
Timber in Canada: Dalziel, ND. 2005, Historical Atlas of the British Empire, Penguin
Books, England.

Report Sources (Secondary)

17. Moral: Photograph

Australian Stolen Generations: http://www.google.com.au/imgres?

q=assimilation+in+australia&um=1&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbnid=Mheum6aEKLwTtM
:&imgrefurl=http://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/politics/stolengenerations-abuse.html

18. Strategic: Map

Trade Routes & Territory: Dalziel, ND. 2005, Historical Atlas of the British Empire,
Penguin Books, England.