Britain - Managing an Empire (late 18th - early 20th century): Paper 3: Themes in breadth with aspects in depth: History Edexcel Past Papers A Level

"The East India Company successfully maintained British control of India in the years 1829–58." How far do you agree with this judgement?

Although achieving de facto administrative and armed control of India, the East India Company failed to win over the support of the population due to its culturally, racially, and religiously intolerant policies.

"General Gordon was primarily responsible for the failure of the British mission to Khartoum in the years 1884–85." How far do you agree with this judgement?

Although Gordon decided to go against instructions from his government, his decision was the result of changing circumstances in the field which the British government did not want to recognise, resulting in its unwillingness to provide aid to defenders at Khartoum.

How significant was the development of trade in the Far East in the expansion of British trade in the years 1763–1890?

In this period the British developed trade with the Far East but also India, the Middle East, and the Atlantic region as a result of primarily imperialistic tendencies and the wish to control global trade as a whole. In this sense, achieving control of Far Eastern trade was only part of the greater plan.

"The acquisition of Malta, Ceylon and Cape Town in 1815 was the most significant development in Britain’s key strategic bases in the years 1763–1878." How far do you agree with this statement?

The importance of Malta, Ceylon, and Cape Town for British strategic interests was equally important as the control of Gibraltar, Falkland Islands, Aden, and Cyprus, as well as other overseas coaling bases, trade outposts, and military harbours as all of them advanced the goals of British imperialism fueled by long-distance naval trade.

"The Durham Report successfully dealt with the key problems facing Canada in the years 1837–40." How far do you agree with this judgement?

Although successfully dealing with some of the key issues facing Canada, the controversial Durham Report's ideas were slowly implemented and failed to address the interests of some of Canada's most prominent social groups.

"It was the weaknesses of the Indian rebels that explains the defeat of the Indian Rebellion of 1857." How far do you agree with this judgement?

The lack of unity among Indians and the inherent strengths of the British who approached the Indian Rebellion seriously, ultimately resulted in the defeat of Indian rebels.

How accurate is it to say that trade with the Americas played the most significant part in the expansion of British trade in the years 1776–1914?

Although the American markets certainly held a value for Britain, it foremost benefited from expanded trade in the Far East and continental Europe.

"The retention of Gibraltar in 1783 was most significant in the development of British control of key strategic naval bases in the years 1763–1878." How far do you agree with this statement?

Long-term beneficial consequences of keeping control of Gibraltar have proven its worth as the most important key strategic naval base Great Britain controlled in this period and beyond.

To what extent were religious and cultural issues responsible for the deteriorating relations which led to the outbreak of the Indian Rebellion of 1857?

The religiously, culturally, and racially insensitive policies of the East India Company which violated the traditions of the local population fueled the Indian Uprising of 1857.

"Sir Evelyn Baring made a very positive contribution to the government of Egypt in the years 1883-98." How far do you agree with this judgement?

Although primarily serving British interests and limiting the development of Egypt in some regards, Baring did manage to financially recover Egypt and establish a footing for its future modernisation.

"The French Wars had a very positive impact on the British economy in the years 1793 1815." How far do you agree with this statement?

There were some negative impacts of the French Wars, including their high costs, the exclusion of Britain from continental trade, and rising food prices, but notable positive impacts were produced by these wars as well, including the dissemination of technology, a shift toward economic self-reliance, and the growth of banking and credit.

How far do you agree that the abolition of the slave trade in 1807 had the most significant impact in changing the pattern of trade in the years 1763-1914?

The abolition of the slave trade produced no significant impact on British commercial prowess, meaning changes in patterns of trade were foremost the product of industrialisation, the acquirement of new markets, and the adoption of the principles of free trade.

How far do you agree that the lack of effective British military leadership, in the years 1776–83, was the primary cause of the loss of the American colonies?

Although Britain evidently had poor leadership during the American Revolutionary War, it lost the Thirteen Colonies predominantly due to its political decisions which mobilised the colonists around the cause of independence in whose achievement they received substantial help from France and Spain.

Lachlan Macquarie made a very positive contribution to the development of the state of New South Wales in the years 1809–21. How far do you agree with this statement?

Despite his autocratic tendencies which alienated him from the support of the British government and the colonists in New South Wales, Macquarie cumulatively did most good for this Australian settlement, transforming it from a penal colony into a free settlement.

How far do you agree that the acquisitions of Singapore (1819) and Hong Kong (1842) made the most significant contribution to the development of British commercial interests in the years 1763–1890?

Singapore and Hong Kong were important as they secured the British with a stronger commercial presence in the Far East but developments in the sphere of international trade also happened elsewhere with the acquisition of other strategically important overseas territories.

"The repeal of the Navigation Acts in 1849 was the most important contribution of government policy to the development of the prosperity of the British Empire in the years 1763–1914." How far do you agree with this judgement?

In the 1840s, the popularity of the free trade philosophy enforced the repeal of the Navigation Acts, thereby securing Britain with long-term economic prosperity on the basis of international trade. However, the repeal of these acts was only the pinnacle of an already ongoing process to abandon mercantilism.

To what extent were the rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada in the years 1837-38 motivated by common causes?

The Lower Canada Rebellion and the Upper Canada Rebellion did not differ significantly from one another in regard to their core motivations, allowing the British government to respond to them in a uniform way.

"Lord Dalhousie made a positive contribution to the government of India during his term as Governor General in the years 1848–56." How far do you agree with this statement?

Although significantly improving infrastructure in the Indian peninsula and consolidating the rule of the East India Company, Dalhousie was blamed for alienating the indigenous population with his intolerant policies and for his self-serving ways having a negative impact on the internal stability of British rule in India.

"British public opinion became increasingly hostile as the Boer War developed." How far do you agree with this statement?

Although initial setbacks in the war gave wind to vocal opposition, changes in the leadership of the British Army and the support of pro-government newspapers allowed the Conservatives to use the Khaki Election of 1900 as a referendum on the war and legitimise its continuation.

How far do you agree that the purchase of the Suez Canal shares provided the most significant stimulus to British trade in the years 1763–1914?

The purchase of the Suez Canal only made commerce with India and the Far East easier but vital trade interests in the region have already been achieved beforehand. Likewise, trade with the Far East would've not been made more secure by the mere purchase of Suez as other acquisitions played into this as well.