British Empire 1890-1914 Essay Plans
‘British expansion in Africa in the years 1890-1914 was driven primarily by strategic motives’
• Strategic/ International rivals – Berlin Conference began land grabbing in Africa. Declaring
protectorate of British East Africa in 1895 formed a buffer against German interests in Tanzania.
French, German and Belgium activities in EA lead to fears about blocking the headwaters of the Nile
so they tried to gain control in the Sudan. International rivalry with Germany contributed to hostilities
in SA. Zanzibar seen as key to defending the Indian ocean. Concern about losing their dominant
position in the world, especially due to the threat from Germany. Wanted the empire as it made
them look strong.
• Economic – Growing industrialisation of other European powers, particularly Germany, changed the
attitude to informal control, favouring formal intervention. RNC established claimed in Nigeria
through treaty with France in 1890, IBEAC expanded in Kenya and Uganda which had rich fertile soil
for tea and coffee. BSAC expanded in SA, exploited raw materials wars with Ndebele 1893-4, 1896-7.
Boer war partially due to economics. British East Africa (1895) and Uganda (1890) had fertile soil that
could be used for tea and coffee plantations. Chartered companies became increasingly
inefficient so areas became under direct British control e.g. Nigeria in 1900/1906. 40% of British
investment overseas took place in the empire because it was considered safe. Investments to
establish/maintain control e.g. Ugandan railway, However, the whole of tropical Africa only
amounted to 1.2% of British trade – suggesting it wasn’t’ that important a factor
• Individuals – Kitchener was determined to conquer the whole of Sudan, Lugard imposed rule over
Buganda and helped RNC. Rhodes and Milner pushed for the union of SA. Chamberlain saw the
British race was the greatest governing race and looked to the empire to strengthen Britain,
particularly economically Rhodes impressed upon people at home and abroad the right and duty
of Britons to dominate Africa and beyond- ‘Cape to Chiro’. He went to war with native tribes and
the area was named Rhodesia, Rhodes believed that British civilisation and control was key to the
betterment of the world
• Attitudes of British Public/missionaries - Conservative ‘party of empire’ was elected in 1895 and held
power until 1906. People in Britain were more supportive of formal intervention. Khaki election 1900.
Celebrations of Empire – diamond jubilee, Empire Day, Festival of Empire. Many people believed in
the moral responsibility/burden from God to bring stability, order, civilisation, welfare, law and
freedom to the world
• Actions of Indigenous people - Anglo-Ashanti War in the Gold Coast in 1896. Boer refusal to grant
political rights, threat of alliance with Germany and economic strength Transvaal led to Boer war.
J: Yes, Britain became increasingly concerned as the period went on about the strength of other powers and wanted
to retain its world dominance. Many areas that were added to the empire in this period had little value to Britain in
terms of trade, there were more valuable in their strategic benefit, either to protect their interests or simply to
prevent another power gaining that area.
The establishment of British rule in Egypt and Sudan in the years 1875 and 1898 resulted from
confused and contradictory policies
Confused and contradictory Well Planned
Investment not expansion – Disraeli bought £4m in Responded to threats pragmatically – Although it
1875, investment in Egyptian cotton. No intention to was not always the intention to control both areas,
control there but pulled into it because of Arabi they responded to threats to their interests when
Pasha’s revolt and Alexandria riots in 1882. needed to protect their interests and were able to
Established a vailed protectorate by intended to do so successfully. Arabi Pasha’s revolt was crushed
be temporary. Was not recognised as a permanent as was Mahdi regime enabling Britain to maintain
responsibility until 1899 its economic and strategic interests in North Africa
Withdrawal, then invasion – Tried to invade Sudan in
1883 to suppress Mahdist revolt but Hicks was killed J: Although it was contradictory, it was not confused.
and Gladstone order that they withdrew. Gordon The polices towards expansion in north Africa shifted as
refused then died- troops withdrew, Gladstone a response to international and indigenous threats
believed they were struggling to be free. Later,
after accepting Egypt as a responsibility they also
‘British expansion in Africa in the years 1890-1914 was driven primarily by strategic motives’
• Strategic/ International rivals – Berlin Conference began land grabbing in Africa. Declaring
protectorate of British East Africa in 1895 formed a buffer against German interests in Tanzania.
French, German and Belgium activities in EA lead to fears about blocking the headwaters of the Nile
so they tried to gain control in the Sudan. International rivalry with Germany contributed to hostilities
in SA. Zanzibar seen as key to defending the Indian ocean. Concern about losing their dominant
position in the world, especially due to the threat from Germany. Wanted the empire as it made
them look strong.
• Economic – Growing industrialisation of other European powers, particularly Germany, changed the
attitude to informal control, favouring formal intervention. RNC established claimed in Nigeria
through treaty with France in 1890, IBEAC expanded in Kenya and Uganda which had rich fertile soil
for tea and coffee. BSAC expanded in SA, exploited raw materials wars with Ndebele 1893-4, 1896-7.
Boer war partially due to economics. British East Africa (1895) and Uganda (1890) had fertile soil that
could be used for tea and coffee plantations. Chartered companies became increasingly
inefficient so areas became under direct British control e.g. Nigeria in 1900/1906. 40% of British
investment overseas took place in the empire because it was considered safe. Investments to
establish/maintain control e.g. Ugandan railway, However, the whole of tropical Africa only
amounted to 1.2% of British trade – suggesting it wasn’t’ that important a factor
• Individuals – Kitchener was determined to conquer the whole of Sudan, Lugard imposed rule over
Buganda and helped RNC. Rhodes and Milner pushed for the union of SA. Chamberlain saw the
British race was the greatest governing race and looked to the empire to strengthen Britain,
particularly economically Rhodes impressed upon people at home and abroad the right and duty
of Britons to dominate Africa and beyond- ‘Cape to Chiro’. He went to war with native tribes and
the area was named Rhodesia, Rhodes believed that British civilisation and control was key to the
betterment of the world
• Attitudes of British Public/missionaries - Conservative ‘party of empire’ was elected in 1895 and held
power until 1906. People in Britain were more supportive of formal intervention. Khaki election 1900.
Celebrations of Empire – diamond jubilee, Empire Day, Festival of Empire. Many people believed in
the moral responsibility/burden from God to bring stability, order, civilisation, welfare, law and
freedom to the world
• Actions of Indigenous people - Anglo-Ashanti War in the Gold Coast in 1896. Boer refusal to grant
political rights, threat of alliance with Germany and economic strength Transvaal led to Boer war.
J: Yes, Britain became increasingly concerned as the period went on about the strength of other powers and wanted
to retain its world dominance. Many areas that were added to the empire in this period had little value to Britain in
terms of trade, there were more valuable in their strategic benefit, either to protect their interests or simply to
prevent another power gaining that area.
The establishment of British rule in Egypt and Sudan in the years 1875 and 1898 resulted from
confused and contradictory policies
Confused and contradictory Well Planned
Investment not expansion – Disraeli bought £4m in Responded to threats pragmatically – Although it
1875, investment in Egyptian cotton. No intention to was not always the intention to control both areas,
control there but pulled into it because of Arabi they responded to threats to their interests when
Pasha’s revolt and Alexandria riots in 1882. needed to protect their interests and were able to
Established a vailed protectorate by intended to do so successfully. Arabi Pasha’s revolt was crushed
be temporary. Was not recognised as a permanent as was Mahdi regime enabling Britain to maintain
responsibility until 1899 its economic and strategic interests in North Africa
Withdrawal, then invasion – Tried to invade Sudan in
1883 to suppress Mahdist revolt but Hicks was killed J: Although it was contradictory, it was not confused.
and Gladstone order that they withdrew. Gordon The polices towards expansion in north Africa shifted as
refused then died- troops withdrew, Gladstone a response to international and indigenous threats
believed they were struggling to be free. Later,
after accepting Egypt as a responsibility they also
