-
Slavery abolished across the empire
-
If a local ruler's direct line ended, land/titles were passed to the East India Company.
-
Began with a mutiny of sepoys in the Bengal Army and spread to civil rebellions across north/central India. Resentment over pay, cultural insensitivity, land confiscation from nobility. Enfield rifles greased with animal fat became rallying point as an example of British indifference and superiority. Shift towards working with traditional rulers and more cultural sensitivity. Ended Dalhousie's doctrine of lapse (taking of land/titles when direct line ended for EIC). Dissolved EIC.
-
Ferdinand De Lesseps, international shares
-
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.
-
Direct rule implemented in India after the dissolution of the EIC. All EIC property, wealth and army returned to the Crown. Under the Govt of India Act a secretary of state for India, India Council and Viceroy were created. Viceroy Canning toured India in 1861 returning some land/titles to nobility, giving out the 'Star of India' medal, setting up English-teaching unis in Calcutta, Bombay etc. Combination of direct and indirect rule: Kashmir, Hyderabad etc. self governing (loyalty)
-
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.
-
'On the Origin of Species'. Social Darwinists later used these ideas to justify white superiority- they were the fittest or most capable, had a duty to rule
-
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.
-
Dramatic decrease in cotton imports to Britain
-
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.
-
Parliamentary select committee recommended withdrawing from West Africa due to high costs of maintaining administrations/trading posts. In the 1870s, attitudes began to shift, with a greater sense of national prestige/identity and strategic rivalries.
-
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.
-
Extended the franchise and created a larger electorate. Conservatives used support for empire to win votes in 1874, but were accused of dangerous 'jingoism'.
-
Vaal River, West Griqualand near Kimberley. Triggered a diamond rush and increased British interest in annexation.
-
Introduced by Disraeli, who won the 1874 election through this and his emphasis on empire. Appealed to the masses with national superiority arguments. Gladstone accused him of stirring up extreme patriotism ('jingoism'). 2.5 million voters
-
Claimed that they had requested protection from the Boers.
-
Official opening e.g. Verdi commissioned to write an opera.
-
Increasing threat to Britain. Very industrialised, began to overtake Britain economically.
-
2000 Griqua people left to establish Griqualand East in 1873, but this too was annexed the following year.
-
World-wide economic slump. Revived chartered company rule as cost the government nothing.
-
-
Methodist missionaries in Australia contributed significantly.
-
Buys 44% shares from Khedive Isma'il for £4 million, without the approval of Parliament.
-
Wants to create a federation of British, Boer and Zulu territory but the Boers refuse.
-
King Leopold II of Belgium invited explorers and geographers to discuss his personal holdings in the Congo, how to extend control.
-
Set up a palm oil business in the Niger basin. In 1879, joined 30 trading posts together to form the United African Company (refused a royal charter because of French influence in the region). Signed over 450 treaties with local leaders, helped assert right to protectorate in Nigeria at the Berlin Conference
-
To protect British influence in South Africa. Followed discovery of gold and diamonds.
-
At Alexandra Palace, animals and people from Sudan were exhibited. 124,000 visitors attended.
-
After request of Victoria and insistence of Disraeli, Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India in the RTA, passed 1 May 1876. This aimed to strengthen the symbolic link between India and the monarchy after assuming direct control. Viceroy Lytton organised a grand Durbar in Delhi in celebration with over 400 Indian princes, chiefs and officials.
-
British subdue neighbouring territories, merge them with Cape Colony, but the Boers struggle against the Pedi tribe, who maintain their independence. Boers reluctantly accept British help to fight the Pedi and Zulu tribes in 1877.
-
Driven by Viceroy Lytton: fears of Russian influence expanding into central Asia and the need to protect India. Huge losses of 10,000 British soldiers but eventually controlled/created the North-West frontier province.
-
Due to poor economy, after attempted modernisation schemes. Replaced by his son Tewfiq. British and French ministers are brought in to handle the Egyptian economy, with British Commissioner Lord Dufferin placed in charge of government revenues.
-
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.
-
Under Arabi Pasha. Aimed to depose Tewfik and remove foreign influence in Egypt. Followed increasing unrest about the amount of taxes British ministers had imposed on Egypt, and the cutting of the army by 2/3, creating unemployment. Britain sent gunboats to Alexandria after 50 Europeans were killed in riots. Garnet Wolseley won the Battle of Tel El Kebir on Sep 13 and Arabi was captured. British troops occupied Egypt.
-
Provoked by Bartle Frere to attempt to control South Africa and create a British federation. Eventual victory, but suffered embarrassing defeats at Isandlwana in late Jan. After reinforcements are sent, they are able to defeat the Zulu at their capital Ulundi, which they burn to the ground. Zululand is incorporated into Natal. Gladstone recalled and denounced Frere in 1880.
-
Boers announce independence from Britain and attack Army garrisons across the Transvaal. British suffer a humiliating defeat at Majuba Hill in Feb 1881 where 150 Britons are killed. Forced to sign the Convention of Pretoria, recognizing Boer's right to self-government, but retaining control of external affairs.
-
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.
-
Cleric Muhammad Ahmad proclaimed himself the Mahdi in June, created a jihadist army. After they defeated Anglo-Egyptian forces at the Battle of Shaykan, Gladstone sent Gordon to oversee withdrawal. Gordon chose to stay, called for reinforcements. Public pressure for Gladstone to provide relief: sent soldiers, but they arrived too late. Khartoum under siege March 84- Jan 85. Beheaded, became a national martyr, e.g. painting 'General Gordon's Last Stand' (George William Joy).
-
Egypt was a defacto British colony under nominal Ottoman rule, with the Khedive directed by a Consul-General. In 1914, Egypt was declared a formal Protectorate after the Ottomans sided with the Central Powers at the outbreak of WW1.
-
First machine gun.
-
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.
-
Gladstone unwilling to intervene, but Premier of Queensland Thomas MacIlwraith occupied the south-west after the Germans tried to claim it.
-
Under Gladstone. Additional 5.5 million voters.
-
Extended the electorate to 5.5 million voters
-
Gladstone ordered troops to evacuate Sudan in 1884 but Governor-General Charles Gordon was beheaded after mahdists overran defences. Gladstone did not react.
-
Secured international loans for Egypt, solidified British economic influence. Military personnel and political/economic advisers put in place.
-
-
Result of increased demands for Indians in government. Discussed public affairs etc.
-
Triggered by the creation of German South West Africa in 1884. Fears that the Boers and Germans might ally and combine their colonies. 4,000 British and local troops asserted control in Bechuanaland (between Boer and German colonies) with the north becoming a protectorate and the south a crown colony.
-
In Transvaal. European imperialists and investors arrived, created further instability
-
Discussed if there should be special trading relationships between colonies, rather than only between individual colonies and Britain. Rejected by Britain.
-
Useful for its strategic location near eastern colonies and to limit French and Italian ambitions in the area. Administrative and military personnel were sent in 1898.
-
After discovery of diamonds in 1866, Rhodes established a monopoly in Kimberly, South Africa. Controlled 90% of the world's diamond supply. He merged multiple companies to form the Diamond Syndicate in 1890.
-
After gold discovery at Witwatesrand (near Transvaal capital of Pretoria), there was an influx of European traders. Cecil Rhodes set up the British South Africa Company. His aim was to establish a land route from Cape Town to Egypt and created a fort at Salisbury in Mashonaland in sep 1890
-
Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini accepted British rule to prevent German take over. Germany and Britain signed a treaty to respect each others influence in East Africa- Zanzibar for Tanzania (Tanganyika).
-
Rhodes controlled mining companies in South Africa. British South Africa company given a royal charter in 1889.
-
-
One of the many Russian railway projects, aiming to exert influence in central Asia and eastern Europe.
-
First Anglican African bishop, but accused of being too lax on 'heathen' practices.
-
Ndebele (formerly Matabele) was ruled from Bulawayo by King Lobengula. Rhodes' BSAC established mining concessions, followed by white settlers with permission to create a protectorate. The Ndebele resisted, but their 80,000 warriors were helpless against Maxim guns. Rhodes named the area Southern Rhodesia.
-
After King Mwanga of Buganda provoked a civil war in 1886, he was forced to hand over some of his sovereignty to the IBEAC in return for restoring him to the throne in 1889. He signed a treaty with Lugard in 1890 handing over certain powers e.g. revenue, trade, justice, which were transferred to the crown in 1894 when Buganda became part of the Uganda Protectorate.
-
China had to pay £30m to Japan after defeat. Russia, France, Germany and Britain loaned money in return for ports, railways, mining rights, custom revenue etc. Britain controlled the commercial heartland of the Yangtze valley, as well as 2800 miles of railway, the port of Wei-Hai-Wei. China had huge commercial potential, with 1/4 of the world population.
-
British South Africa Company took over land in the interior of Africa. Matabeleland (taken over in 1893) was incorporated. Southern Rhodesia became a Protectorate in 1901, Northern Rhodesia in 1911.
-
Partitioned into Britain's sphere of infl at the Berlin Conference, useful as a route from Uganda to the coast. Tried to force control during a succession dispute between indigenous Mazrui and Muslim majority. Sheikh Mbaruk bin Rashid was supplied by the Germans and resisted for 9 months, but eventually the territory became part of Britain's East Africa Protectorate.
-
Dr Leander Starr Jameson launched a raid on Transvaal from Rhodesia, attempting to incite a rising among the Uitlanders. It was a disaster and increased the Boers' determination to resist British incursions. Boers in Cape Colony formed the 'Afrikaner Bond' with Transvaal Boers. Rhodes was forced to resign from the Cape premiership and Jameson and his 12 companions were sentenced to prison by a British court.
-
Conservative government under Salisbury won elections in 1895 and 1900 and presided over huge expansion of the Empire throughout this period. By 1895, only 10% of Africa was outside of European control. Salisbury retired in 1902 and was replaced by Balfour, who was not as respected and lost the 1906 general election.
-
Ndebele people had resisted British imperialism and gold mining. Spiritual leader known as the Mlimo lead an unsuccessful rising against colonial rule, beginning with guerrilla raids against white settlers. Mlimo was assassinated and the resistance fell apart.
-
Made a British Protectorate in 1896. Population was a mix of indigenous tribes and freed African American former slaves that had set up Freetown after the US War of Independence. Resistance began in 1898 after a House Tax was implemented.
-
Known as the 'lunatic line', built to link East African colonies with each other and the coast. Cost £5 million, 2500 indentured labourers died, took 5 years, ended up 660 miles. Completed in 1901. Supported by Chamberlain and the conservative govt: enabled access to markets, encouraged settlement, facilitated tea/coffee exports, protected the source of the Nile.
-
After Kitchener won the Battle of Omdurman and conquered Sudan in 1898, an Anglo-Egyptian condominium was declared in Sudan.
-
After negotiations broke down, Boers invaded and besieged Ladysmith, Natal. Initial successes (battle of Spion Kop: failed to end siege). British sent 400K imperial troops at cost of £250m, Kitchener and Roberts took charge. Scorched earth concentration camps: 1/6 of Boers died in these camps, 2/3 of which were under 10. Ended with the Peace of Vereeniging May 1902: Boers acknowledged themselves as Br subjects, were promised self-govt, which was granted 1905.
-
Solomon Islands 1899, Tonga 1900. Largely to counter the growth of US and German influence in the Pacific. Australia and New Zealand were very keen to see this happen, though it was not a significant British priority.
-
Protectorates were established over former Royal Niger Company territory, creating the Northern and Southern Nigeria Protectorates and the Lagos Colony.
-
Curzon merged north-west Pashtun Afghan lands with the Punjab to create North-West Frontier Province. Put in place a Chief Commissioner. Aimed to protect the Indian border from feared Russian incursions.
-
5 Anglo-Ashanti wars 1823-1900. Finally victorious in 1901 with Ashanti Order in Council 1901 formally annexed Ashanti territory on 25 Sept and set up a chief commissioner who reported to the governor of the Gold Coast. Prempeh I and other leaders were exiled to Seychelles. Incorporated into Gold Coast in 1902.
-
Bound Britain and Japan to assist on another in
safeguarding their respective interests in China and Korea. It was directed against Russian expansion in
the Far East. It served Japan in the Russo-Japanese War by discouraging France, Russia’s European ally,
from entering the war on the Russian side because then Britain would also be pulled into the war. On the basis of this alliance, Japan participated in ww1 on the side of the Allies -
Germans financed the railway after establishing warm relations with the Ottoman Empire in order to better access Africa, Persia and Indian trade without relying on Suez.
-
Mounted temporarily by Curzon with 3,000 troops to counter Russian ambitions. 1904 treaty barred Tibet from ceding territory or allowing foreign agents without British consent.
-
Ended antagonism between Britain and France, brought both out of isolation. Intended to create security against German continental alliances. France recognised Br dominance of Egypt in return for takeover of Morocco. Caisse de la Dette became only a debt-collection agency, ceased to control Egyptian finances.
-
PMs of Transvaal, Orange Free State, Natal and Cape Colony drew up constitution for the 'Union of South Africa'. Established a single parliament, though the country remained plagued by settler racism and segregation. Became a British Dominion territory in 1910.
-
Reached an agreement on a number of colonial issues, outlining British spheres of influence in Persia, India and Afghanistan. Guaranteed the security of India.
-
Canada: 1867
Cape Colony: 1872
Australia: 1901
Newfoundland New Zealand: 1907
British domination reduced- mainly symbolic power. Responsible for neither administration nor govt costs, complete self-rule. Used to preserve global power. Dominion status only granted to white settler colonies -
Settled by Scottish missionaries but faced Portugese-backed Arab attacks. BSAC established control in 1891, but guerrilla warfare continued until 1897. Made a protectorate in 1907.
-
Reforms to appease Bengalis. Indian Councils Act 1909 enabled 27 Indians to be elected from provincial constituencies to the Viceroy's Council. Held on a narrow franchise, reps often chosen by British but provided greater Indian participation. Further reform in 1910 meant that 135 Indians secured seats in enlarged provincial councils.
-
Hardinge used visit of King-Emperor George V to India used as an opportunity to reunite Bengal. Grand celebratory durbar held covering 20 square miles. Viceroy's camp alone cost the equivalent of £2m in todays terms.
-
Northern and Southern Nigeria Protectorates and Lagos Colony merge to form Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria at request of Governor Lugard. Mixture of indirect rule in the north, and more direct rule in the south e.g. western laws, education, english language, growth of cash crops, Christianity.
Looking for a timeline maker?
Create timelines for projects, roadmaps, history, lessons, legal cases, and stories with Timetoast. Timetoast is a timeline maker for work, school, research, and stories.