lOMoARcPSD|1485157
Introduction - The Making of Modern Britain: Imperialism c.
1750 – 1850. Dr Natalie Thomlinson
The Making of Modern Britain c1750-c1850 (University of Wolverhampton)
Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university
Downloaded by Ellie Dolman ()
, lOMoARcPSD|1485157
The Making of Modern Britain Imperialism c. 1750 – 1850. Dr Natalie Thomlinson
Introduction
• Period 1750 – 1850 bridges gap between ‘first’ and ‘second’ British
empires.
• Vast expansion of empire in nineteenth century.
• Period when slavery was abolished.
• Transition to more directly-ruled empire.
‘First’ empire
• Empire starts in first half of 17th century with North American and
Caribbean settlements (Jamaica, Barbados etc.)
• Motivation is to compete with Spanish and Portuguese empires in Latin
America – and their gold.
• Caribbean more popular destination at first for white settlers.
• Many colonies set up as chartered companies with royal approval.
• Whilst they are British possessions, they are largely self-governing, partly
because of distance!
• Slavery begins to grow in southern US states and Caribbean in second half
of seventeenth century to support crops- sugar, rice, cotton and tobacco.
First empire: American colonies
• Thirteen colonies on north-eastern seaboard most important – colonised
from 17th century onwards.
• Set up as companies with Royal Charter. -Largely autonomous, though
Britain in charge of taxes and foreign affairs.
• Increase in taxes (‘no taxation without representation’) and increasing
interference with internal affairs of colonies leads to American War of
Independence, won by States in 1783.
• Canada ceded by France to Britain in 1763 after Seven Year War. Remains
part of empire. French population problematic (Canadian uprising 1837).
East India Company
• British merchants started exploring East India round the Bay of Bengal in
the 17th century
• Started off as commercial concern, gradually gained political influence,
particularly as once mighty Mughal empire began to decline
• 1757 Battle of Plessey - Mughal Empire awarded East India Company
governance of Bengal. Start of formal British rule in India. – End of the last
Raji of the Silk Empire- his later daughter would become an influential
suffragette leader.
• 1784 India Bill provided ‘Board of Control’ so that effectively British Crown
oversaw EIC.
Downloaded by Ellie Dolman ()
Introduction - The Making of Modern Britain: Imperialism c.
1750 – 1850. Dr Natalie Thomlinson
The Making of Modern Britain c1750-c1850 (University of Wolverhampton)
Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university
Downloaded by Ellie Dolman ()
, lOMoARcPSD|1485157
The Making of Modern Britain Imperialism c. 1750 – 1850. Dr Natalie Thomlinson
Introduction
• Period 1750 – 1850 bridges gap between ‘first’ and ‘second’ British
empires.
• Vast expansion of empire in nineteenth century.
• Period when slavery was abolished.
• Transition to more directly-ruled empire.
‘First’ empire
• Empire starts in first half of 17th century with North American and
Caribbean settlements (Jamaica, Barbados etc.)
• Motivation is to compete with Spanish and Portuguese empires in Latin
America – and their gold.
• Caribbean more popular destination at first for white settlers.
• Many colonies set up as chartered companies with royal approval.
• Whilst they are British possessions, they are largely self-governing, partly
because of distance!
• Slavery begins to grow in southern US states and Caribbean in second half
of seventeenth century to support crops- sugar, rice, cotton and tobacco.
First empire: American colonies
• Thirteen colonies on north-eastern seaboard most important – colonised
from 17th century onwards.
• Set up as companies with Royal Charter. -Largely autonomous, though
Britain in charge of taxes and foreign affairs.
• Increase in taxes (‘no taxation without representation’) and increasing
interference with internal affairs of colonies leads to American War of
Independence, won by States in 1783.
• Canada ceded by France to Britain in 1763 after Seven Year War. Remains
part of empire. French population problematic (Canadian uprising 1837).
East India Company
• British merchants started exploring East India round the Bay of Bengal in
the 17th century
• Started off as commercial concern, gradually gained political influence,
particularly as once mighty Mughal empire began to decline
• 1757 Battle of Plessey - Mughal Empire awarded East India Company
governance of Bengal. Start of formal British rule in India. – End of the last
Raji of the Silk Empire- his later daughter would become an influential
suffragette leader.
• 1784 India Bill provided ‘Board of Control’ so that effectively British Crown
oversaw EIC.
Downloaded by Ellie Dolman ()
