The Development of Imperialism 1857-1890

  • Abolition of slavery

    Slavery abolished across the empire
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    Dalhousie's doctrine of lapse

    If a local ruler's direct line ended, land/titles were passed to the East India Company.
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    Indian Rebellion

    Began with a mutiny of sepoys in the Bengal Army. Resentment: pay, cultural insensitivity, land confiscation from nobility. Enfield rifles greased with beef/pork fat became rallying point/example of British indifference.
  • Suez Canal Company is created

    Ferdinand De Lesseps, international shares
  • David Livingstone in Africa

    Official explorations of eastern and central Africa (5 years). Was named Consul for the East Coast of Africa. Sent 2,000 letters home and became a sensationalized hero.
  • India becomes British Raj

    Direct rule implemented in India after the Rebellion. East India Company dissolved, all property and army returned to the Crown. Govt of India Act: created a secretary of state for India, an India Council, rule by a Viceroy.
  • Treaty of Tientsin

    Ended the 2nd Opium War. Compelled China to make concessions and open ports to preferential British trade. British traders began to take tea to grow in India (Darjeeling, Assam). Old summer palace in Beijing destroyed in October 1860.
  • Canning's tour of India

    Some land/titles returned to nobility. 'Star of India' medal created. More investment in infrastructure and development. English teaching universities in Bombay, Calcutta etc. Combination of direct/indirect rule, e.g. Kashmir, Hyderabad were self-governing as they had remained loyal.
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    American Civil War

    Dramatic decrease in cotton imports to Britain
  • Morant Bay Rebellion, Jamaica

    After abolition of slavery, many black former slaves were poor, taxed highly, had little voting rights etc. Rose up against colonial oppression. Brutal suppression, over 400 deaths. Direct rule was established.
  • Welland Canal created in Canada

    Overcame height difference between Lakes Ontario and Eyrie to help transportation of goods to the coast. Damaged the ecosystem, created dependence on British infrastructure projects.
  • Disraeli's Reform Act

    Extended the franchise and created a larger electorate. Conservatives used support for empire to win votes in 1874, but were accused of dangerous 'jingoism'.
  • Suez Canal is completed

    Official opening e.g. Verdi commissioned to write an opera.
  • Unification of Germany

    Increasing threat to Britain. Very industrialised, began to overtake Britain economically.
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    Long Depression

    World-wide economic slump. Revived chartered company rule as cost the government nothing.
  • Malaya= British colony

  • British rule in Fiji established

    Methodist missionaries in Australia contributed significantly.
  • Disraeli buys shares in SCC

    Buys 44% shares from Khedive Isma'il for £4 million, without the approval of Parliament.
  • Brussels Conference

    King Leopold II of Belgium invited explorers and geographers to discuss his personal holdings in the Congo, how to extend control.
  • Queen Victoria named Empress of India

    Implemented by Disraeli
  • Annexation of Transvaal

    To protect British influence in South Africa. Followed discovery of gold and diamonds.
  • Nubian village exhibition

    At Alexandra Palace, animals and people from Sudan were exhibited.
  • Invasion of Afghanistan

    Under Viceroy Lytton: fears of Russian influence in Central Asia, wish to consolidate/protect the British Raj. Huge losses of 10,000 British soldiers, but eventually controlled the North-West frontier.
  • Khedive Isma'il is deposed

    Due to poor economy, after attempted modernisation schemes. Replaced by his son Tewfiq.
  • United African Trading Company formed

    Under George Goldie. 30 trading posts jointed together in Central Africa, but were refused a royal charter due to fears of French influence in the area. Signed over 450 treaties with local leaders.
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    Nationalist revolts in Egypt

    Under Urabi Pasha. Aimed to depose Tewfik and remove foreign influence in Egypt. Britain eventually occupied Egypt.
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    Zulu War

    Provoked by Bartle Frere to attempt to control South Africa and create a British federation. Eventual victory, but suffered embarrassing defeats at Isandlwana. Gladstone denounced Frere in 1880.
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    First Boer War

    Dutch settlers, spoke Afrikaans.
  • Alexandria revolts

    Gladstone (and French) sent combined gunboat fleet to intervene. The bombardment of Alexandria resulted in Tewfik being restored as puppet ruler. Consul-General Evelyn Baring was set up to rule indirectly and British troops remained in Egypt.
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    Mahdist rebellion in Sudan

    Cleric Muhammad Ahmad proclaimed himself the Mahdi in June, created a jihadist army.
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    Egypt as informal Empire

    Egypt is a defacto British colony under nominal Ottoman rule. Various puppet rulers are put in place.
  • Maxim gun created

    First machine gun.
  • Berlin Conference

    Called by Bismarck, attended by 14 state reps. Africa was divided into European spheres of influence. Congo and Niger rivers to remain neutral, free trade. General Act signed: prevent slavery, support missionaries. Principle of effective occupation.
  • British New Guinea

    Gladstone unwilling to intervene, but Premier of Queensland Thomas MacIlwraith occupied the south-west after the Germans tried to claim it.
  • Parliamentary Reform Act

    Under Gladstone. Additional 5.5 million voters.
  • Gordon beheaded in Sudan

    Gladstone ordered troops to evacuate Sudan in 1884 but Governor-General Charles Gordon was beheaded after mahdists overran defences. Gladstone did not react.
  • Convention of London

    Secured international loans for Egypt, solidified British economic influence. Military personnel and political/economic advisers put in place.
  • Brunei= British colony

  • Indian National Congress created

    Result of increased demands for Indians in government. Discussed public affairs etc.
  • Colonial Conference (trade)

    Discussed if there should be special trading relationships between colonies, rather than only between individual colonies and Britain. Rejected by Britain.
  • De Beers mining company formed

    After discovery of diamonds in 1866, Rhodes established a monopoly in Kimberly, South Africa.
  • Zanzibar becomes British Protectorate

    Sultan agreed to British rule to prevent a German take-over
  • Kimberly Diamond Syndicate formed

    Rhodes controlled mining companies in South Africa. British South Africa company given a royal charter in 1889.
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    Rhodes as PM of Cape Colony

  • Trans-Siberian Railway begins

    One of the many Russian railway projects, aiming to exert influence in central Asia and eastern Europe.
  • Samuel Crowther forced to resign

    First Anglican African bishop, but accused of being too lax on 'heathen' practices.
  • Rhodesia founded

    British South Africa Company took over land in the interior of Africa.