|ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH WELL
DETAILED CORRECT ANSWERS|GRADED A+|BRAND NEW 2026/2027
UPDATE
What had caused the growth of the British Empire before 1857? - ANSWER American
colonies like United States and Canada had caused growth however loss of these prompted
'Swing to the East' as prominent historian Vincent Harlow had put it.
o Concept that explained a shift of British imperial priorities to India, Asia, Africa and the
East > Western hemisphere with more desire for trade rather than conquest and control
● Slave trade had led to growth in control in Africa
● Mercantilist policies that benefitted Britain over its colonies
What were the territories of the British Empire in 1857? - ANSWER ● Much of Canada
● India
● Most of Australia
● British Guiana & Caribbean
● Sierra Leone, Gold Coast and Union of South Africa
c) What were the differences between these territories? - ANSWER Territories like
Britain, Canada and Australia were known as dominions
o White-settler colonies that exerted a certain amount of self-governance and control
● India was governed under the Raj after the Indian Mutiny.
o Governed under East India Trade Company on behalf of the British formerly
● Informal control in territories like Argentina and British Guiana
● Sierra Leone, Gold Coast and Union of South Africa governed as British colonies
Why did the British expand in Africa from 1857 - 1890?
1
, ● Concept of 'Swing to the East' by Vincent Harlow - ANSWER As a result of loss of
American colonies, Britain grew with renewed interest to Africa and India.
Trade and economy - Industrial revolution - ANSWER Production of steamships and
weapons allowed for Britain to easily establish foothold in different continents.
Trade and economy - contribution to 1857-1890 BE expansion in Africa - ANSWER As a
result of Industrial Revolution, prices plummeted due to ease of access and Empire was seen
with 'renewed interest' as Dane Kennedy puts it.
o New trading partners helped during The Great Depression of 1873-1896
▪ Coal, iron and timber sought to feed demands of British industry.
▪ As British industry developed, need for trade partners developed. British bought resources
from Africa to manufacture into goods such as weapons and textiles and sold them back to
Africa.
o Expansion in Africa led to opening of inland routes and discovery of mineral and resources.
Investment opportunities followed.
o British Foreign Office Memorandum cites interest in East Africa for reasons such as:
▪ 'mineral wealth'
▪ 'unlimited capacity for the production of cattle'
▪ 'a European climate within easy reach of the coast'
▪ 'natives are more naturally industrious than most of the West Coast tribes'
▪ 'the establishment of any Government strong enough to enforce good order and prevent
the raids of more turbulent tribes'
Strategic factors - scramble for Africa - ANSWER o Cape Colony had warm waters, deep
ports - allowing for bigger harbours and giving access to Middle East, India, Australia, New
Zealand and China.
o Interests in West Africa protected by building coastal defences in Sierra Leone and Gambia.
Idea of 'moral superiority' and religion - scramble for Africa 1857-1890 - ANSWER
Christian missionaries saw it as a 'duty' to educate 'heathen' people
2
DETAILED CORRECT ANSWERS|GRADED A+|BRAND NEW 2026/2027
UPDATE
What had caused the growth of the British Empire before 1857? - ANSWER American
colonies like United States and Canada had caused growth however loss of these prompted
'Swing to the East' as prominent historian Vincent Harlow had put it.
o Concept that explained a shift of British imperial priorities to India, Asia, Africa and the
East > Western hemisphere with more desire for trade rather than conquest and control
● Slave trade had led to growth in control in Africa
● Mercantilist policies that benefitted Britain over its colonies
What were the territories of the British Empire in 1857? - ANSWER ● Much of Canada
● India
● Most of Australia
● British Guiana & Caribbean
● Sierra Leone, Gold Coast and Union of South Africa
c) What were the differences between these territories? - ANSWER Territories like
Britain, Canada and Australia were known as dominions
o White-settler colonies that exerted a certain amount of self-governance and control
● India was governed under the Raj after the Indian Mutiny.
o Governed under East India Trade Company on behalf of the British formerly
● Informal control in territories like Argentina and British Guiana
● Sierra Leone, Gold Coast and Union of South Africa governed as British colonies
Why did the British expand in Africa from 1857 - 1890?
1
, ● Concept of 'Swing to the East' by Vincent Harlow - ANSWER As a result of loss of
American colonies, Britain grew with renewed interest to Africa and India.
Trade and economy - Industrial revolution - ANSWER Production of steamships and
weapons allowed for Britain to easily establish foothold in different continents.
Trade and economy - contribution to 1857-1890 BE expansion in Africa - ANSWER As a
result of Industrial Revolution, prices plummeted due to ease of access and Empire was seen
with 'renewed interest' as Dane Kennedy puts it.
o New trading partners helped during The Great Depression of 1873-1896
▪ Coal, iron and timber sought to feed demands of British industry.
▪ As British industry developed, need for trade partners developed. British bought resources
from Africa to manufacture into goods such as weapons and textiles and sold them back to
Africa.
o Expansion in Africa led to opening of inland routes and discovery of mineral and resources.
Investment opportunities followed.
o British Foreign Office Memorandum cites interest in East Africa for reasons such as:
▪ 'mineral wealth'
▪ 'unlimited capacity for the production of cattle'
▪ 'a European climate within easy reach of the coast'
▪ 'natives are more naturally industrious than most of the West Coast tribes'
▪ 'the establishment of any Government strong enough to enforce good order and prevent
the raids of more turbulent tribes'
Strategic factors - scramble for Africa - ANSWER o Cape Colony had warm waters, deep
ports - allowing for bigger harbours and giving access to Middle East, India, Australia, New
Zealand and China.
o Interests in West Africa protected by building coastal defences in Sierra Leone and Gambia.
Idea of 'moral superiority' and religion - scramble for Africa 1857-1890 - ANSWER
Christian missionaries saw it as a 'duty' to educate 'heathen' people
2
