Use the case studies, documents and ideas you have studied in this module to analyse the
relationship between British imperialism and Britain’s economic interests and influence in
different parts of the world between 1830 and 1914.
(2952 words)
British imperialist and economic aims varied between the types of colonies and the
opportunities presented to the British. The British pursued exploitative policies as far as
politically viable. Britain also had a positive influence on the regions she touched, improving
infrastructure and education for the locals.
In the settler colonies and India, Britain attempted to export British values and
administration vital to well-functioning empire. This had been noted by historians as early as
John Robert Seeley and Charles Dilke, who described an “expansion of England” into a
colonial world.1 The British population spread out across the settler colonies, into Canada
until the 1870s and then dispersed into the Antipodes. The British heeded Wakefield’s calls
to go forth into the colonies, to work and to breed since ‘the whole world is before you.’2
Thus, British influences largely found expression in administration development and in
developing a Christian society. In Canada, there was a large increase in the immigrant
population, contributing to a “tenfold increase” in the Canadian population in 100 years.3
Although Martin contended this as “scarcely impressive on an Imperial scale” the population
increase had massive repercussions for the Canadians.4 ‘The British investor was…an
indispensable co-operator’ in funding growth in the colonies’ claimed the author for industry
and employment.5 This included increasing standard of living and industrial expansion in
Canda. However, Kittrell placed greater importance for emigration to the plan of Systematic
Emigration, which sent destitute laborers to Canada.6
Canada did not see mass immigration, for Canada did not enjoy mineral wealth in its
lands. Australian gold attracted British emigrants in the mid-19th century, once prison
transportation had halted. On a larger scale, the British empire needed an influx of gold to
maintain the gold standard during industrial expansion across spheres of British influence.
Van Helten cites that London banks “could always tap this flow buttressed confidence” as a
1
Seeley; Dilke
2
Wakefield extract.
3
The Settler Empire
4
Martin p 527
5
Queensland extract.
6
Kittrell.
1
relationship between British imperialism and Britain’s economic interests and influence in
different parts of the world between 1830 and 1914.
(2952 words)
British imperialist and economic aims varied between the types of colonies and the
opportunities presented to the British. The British pursued exploitative policies as far as
politically viable. Britain also had a positive influence on the regions she touched, improving
infrastructure and education for the locals.
In the settler colonies and India, Britain attempted to export British values and
administration vital to well-functioning empire. This had been noted by historians as early as
John Robert Seeley and Charles Dilke, who described an “expansion of England” into a
colonial world.1 The British population spread out across the settler colonies, into Canada
until the 1870s and then dispersed into the Antipodes. The British heeded Wakefield’s calls
to go forth into the colonies, to work and to breed since ‘the whole world is before you.’2
Thus, British influences largely found expression in administration development and in
developing a Christian society. In Canada, there was a large increase in the immigrant
population, contributing to a “tenfold increase” in the Canadian population in 100 years.3
Although Martin contended this as “scarcely impressive on an Imperial scale” the population
increase had massive repercussions for the Canadians.4 ‘The British investor was…an
indispensable co-operator’ in funding growth in the colonies’ claimed the author for industry
and employment.5 This included increasing standard of living and industrial expansion in
Canda. However, Kittrell placed greater importance for emigration to the plan of Systematic
Emigration, which sent destitute laborers to Canada.6
Canada did not see mass immigration, for Canada did not enjoy mineral wealth in its
lands. Australian gold attracted British emigrants in the mid-19th century, once prison
transportation had halted. On a larger scale, the British empire needed an influx of gold to
maintain the gold standard during industrial expansion across spheres of British influence.
Van Helten cites that London banks “could always tap this flow buttressed confidence” as a
1
Seeley; Dilke
2
Wakefield extract.
3
The Settler Empire
4
Martin p 527
5
Queensland extract.
6
Kittrell.
1
