AQA A Level British Empire - 'The development of imperialism' Exam Questions and Answers

AQA A Level British Empire - 'The development of imperialism' Exam Questions and Answe rs 'Swing to the East' ✅c.1800s - A shift in priority from the West towards Africa and Asia, with a preference for trade over conquest and control. What materials were sought after in Africa? ✅Coal, iron, timber. Explain an economical reason for early expansion into Africa. ✅Seeking resources to manufacture goods that could be sold back to Africa. Explain a personal reason for early expansion into Africa. ✅'Merchant imperialists', such as Goldie and Rhodes. Also, the Victorian explorers who sparked public and political interest with their stories. Explain a strategic reason for early expansion into Africa. ✅Coastal interests demanded protection (such as in West Africa) and so a string of forts were built to protect these (Sierra Leone, Gold Coast, Gambia and Cape Colony). Why was the 1806 British seizure of Cape Colony from the Dutch so important? ✅The Cape protected the sea route to Britiain's interests in and sea routes to the Middle East, China, Australia and India. When did Christian missionaries begin to go to Africa? ✅1860s> What was the intent of the Christian missionaries in Africa? ✅To spread Christianity to the 'heathens'/non -Chrisitans By what year had most of Africa been mapped? ✅1857 By which year was the Congo River mapped? ✅1967 What was the nature of British expansion into Africa until the 1890s? ✅Britain was mostly reactive to the initiative of other powers (esp. France) and tried to match their claims, rather than aggressively seeking new lands for their own sake. Why were chartered companies usually implemented? ✅To establish British claims and deter other Europeans. Why wast there a sudden interest in Egypt in 1861? ✅Due to the American Civil War, British mills were starved of cotton. British companies invested in the production of Egyptian cotton. By the 1807s, what percentage of Egypt's imports were British? ✅40% - under the rule of Isma'il Pasha, trading interactions increased and the country was modernised. How did Isma'il Pasha contribute to Egyptian life after he came to power in 1863? ✅He worked on developing irrigation, railways and schools. Also, the cutting of the Suez Canal through Egypt to connect the Mediterranean with the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula. By how many miles was the route to India reduced by the Suez Canal? ✅6,000 miles. In which year was the Suez Canal Company set up? ✅1858 For how many years did the Suez Canal Company run the canal? ✅99 years. How did Britain become increasingly involved in the Suez Canal? ✅In 1875 Isma'il Pasha was facing increasing debts and sought a buyer for shares in the canal for £4 million. British PM Benjamin Disraeli bought these, allowing Britain increasing control over the passage to India and from shipping tariffs. How did Britain help sustain Egypts failing economy? ✅Taxes were imposed on Egyptian food and goods and the army was reduced by two thirds. British money and influence of Lord Dufferin also helped. How many Europeans were killed in Egypt after a nationalist movement in 1882? ✅50 What happened as a result of the 1882 nationalist movement in Egypt? ✅Britain sent naval forces and retook Cairo, installing Tewfiq as a puppet ruler. In what year was the Convention of London? ✅1885 - This secured an international loan for the Egyptian government. When did Egypt become a British protectorate and what did this mean for the country? ✅1882 -Egypt was firmly under British Control, a client state or 'veiled protectorate'. Baring ruled behind a screen of Egyptian ministers. In what year did Ahmad turn a political movement into a Jihadist army who sought to liberate Sudan and take Khartoum? ✅1882