British Civilization Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering British civilization, foreign policy, the Napoleonic wars, the Eastern Question, imperialism, and the foundations of the British Empire.

Napoleonic Wars

A series of major conflicts pitting the French Empire and its allies against a fluctuating array of European powers formed in various coalitions, lasting from 1792 to 1815.

British Foreign Policy in the 19th Century

Focused on competing with European nations for world power, establishing a second empire sustained by maritime dominance, and engaging in wars for self-interest while forming temporary alliances.

Britain's Strategy

Never to fight alone and never to fight near its borders.

Factors Leading to the Napoleonic Wars

Struggle for political hegemony, decades of antagonism between Britain and France, Napoleon's desire to expand French influence, Napoleon's attempts to destabilize the balance of power, and military conflicts to control strategic and economic regions.

Continental System

Napoleon's policy of economic blockade against Britain, prohibiting the importation and exportation of goods to and from Britain in territories controlled by France or its allies.

Impact of the Continental System on Britain

Intended to paralyze the British economy and strengthen French continental hegemony, but led to negative effects, including a decline in bullion, economic depression, increased unemployment and inflation, and widespread protests.

Britain's Response to the Continental System

Opened new markets in Asia, Africa, and South America, and engaged in widespread smuggling.

First Coalition

Formed in 1793 consisting of Britain, Austria, Prussia, the Netherlands, and Spain to challenge France.

Second Coalition

Formed between 1798-1801 consisting of Britain, Russia, Austria, Sweden, and the Ottoman Empire.

Treaty of Amiens

A peace treaty concluded in 1802 between Britain and France, Spain and the Batavian Republic resulting in a strategic stalemate.

Congress of Vienna

A meeting of great powers after the Napoleonic Wars to maintain peace by creating a conservative monarchy, rewarding themselves with territories, and suppressing future revolutionary movements.

The Eastern Question

A long-term problem in European diplomatic affairs revolving around the European powers’ attitudes and ambitions towards the declining Ottoman Empire and the fate of its possessions in the Balkans.

Factors of the Decline of the Ottoman Empire

The Balkan wars, Ottoman-Russian conflicts, WWI, weak economy, diverse geography and language leading to rebellions, corrupted authorities, and the desires of European powers.

Treaty of Kuchuk Kacnardji (1768-1774)

Ended the dominance of the Ottoman Empire and allowed Russia to seek the protection of Christians under Ottoman rule, giving Russia the ability to intervene in Ottoman affairs.

Britain’s Role in the Eastern Question

Interested in keeping a politically stable Turkey in the Balkans as a barrier between Russia and its Asian colonies, protecting trading routes to India, and encouraging Turkish Administrative reforms.

Nationalist Movements in the Balkans

Led to rebellions and wars of independence with support from Russia and other great powers, resulting in the independence of Greece (1832) and other Balkan states.

San Stefano Treaty (1878)

Following the Russian Turkish War it dictated Turkey losing most of their European territories. Additionally, guaranteeing independence of the Bulgarian Principality.

Berlin Treaty

Concluded in 1878, it redraw the map of the Balkans. Bulgaria granted self-government but remained a part of the Turkish Empire while Boston was handed to Austria to administer.

Imperialism

The domination of one nation by another, involving exploitation and cultural colonization.

Economic Theories of Imperialism

Emphasize capitalist greed for raw materials, markets, and new fields of investment as the primary impulse behind overseas expansionism.

Surplus Capital Theory of Imperialism

Capitalists export surplus capital overseas and prevail upon the government to secure their investments.

Ideological Justification of Imperialism

Based on humanitarian, religious, and cultural objectives, with the belief that it would benefit native peoples by bringing them the benefits of a higher western civilization.

White Man’s Burden

The idea that empire was a philanthropic duty of civilized nations to dominate inferior non-white European peoples.

Mission Civilisatrice

A French slogan indicating France's mission to civilize the world and enlighten non-European people to the superiority of French culture.

Social Darwinism

An ideology reflecting the animal world with the world of nations used to justify competition between European powers.

Berlin Conference (1884-1885)

A congress to create rules to keep colonizing Africa between the European powers + Ottoman Empire + US.

The First British Empire

From the late 16th century until the loss of the 13 American colonies which was centred on the Atlantic Ocean.

Private Colonization

The British American Empire was not built by a planned government action instead, it was a private enterprise, carried out by Joined-stock companies.

Atlantic Slave Trade

An important element in the economy of the first British Empire which involved the transportation by slave traders of enslaved African people to the Americas, following a triangle route.

Mercantilist Regulations

A system of trade profit, monopoly, and regulation of colonial economy that pre-vade the British mercantilist system in the early 17th and 18th c.

Navigation Acts (1650’s)

They controlled colonial trade, by excluding foreign ships and send them to colonial ports.

The Second British Empire

Dating from the late Victorian era, the late 18th century, up to the out grade of WWI usually associated with the scramble of Africa.

Royal Titles Act in 1876

Proclaimed Queen Victoria impress of India.