British Empire: Trade

1651-73

When were the navigation acts passed?

1763

When did the British beat the French in the seven years war?

British trade policy - enforcement of the Navigation acts

What was a major cause of the American War of Independence?

1775

When did the American War of Independence begin?

1781

When did the British surrender in the American War of Independence?

Government debt due to the seven years war

Cost of the America war of independence

Cost of involvement in the French revolutionary wars (1792-1802) and Napoleonic Wars (1803-15)

Why did the empire become astronomically expensive to run post-1763? (3 reasons)

Restricting trade with colonies to secure a trade surplus for Britain

What does protectionist mean?

Protecting British merchants with low tariffs

What does mercantilist mean?

Low taxes on trade (and used diplomacy or coercion to make other countries to do the same)

What is free trade?

1783

When did the Quakers Petition Parliament for the abolition of the slave trade?

1789

When did Wilberforce launch his parliamentary campaign for the abolition of the slave trade?

1 in 10

During the 18th century what proportion of ships would lose their owners money?

It stopped being profitable

What was the most important reason for the abolition of the slave trade?

1807

When was the salve trade officially abolished in Britain?

Humanitarian reasons

Anti-French sentiment

Role of individuals - Wilberforce

Economic factors

Why was the slave trade abolished?

Wealth of Nations, 1776

What was the name of the book written by Adam Smith which encouraged free trade?

1779

When did the British remove trade restrictions from Ireland?

To avoid conflict similar to that in America

Why did British remove trade restrictions from Ireland?

1815

When were the Corn

Laws passed?

1838

When was the Anti-Corn Law League founded?

1834, Sir Robert Peel

When was the Conservative Party founded and by who?

1841, Sir Robert Peel

When did the Conservatives gain a majority and who became Prime Minister?

'Light touch' with enforcement Navigation Acts

What is salutary neglect?

1763

When did the British create a large standing army in North America to deter France from further conflict there?

1846

When were the Corn Laws repealed?

1849

When were the Navigation Acts repealed?

Not tightly enforcing trade regulations

What is salutary neglect?

Ships of all nationalists could dock without incurring taxes or tariffs

What is an entrepôt?

1819

When was the acquisition of Singapore?

Make inroads to China - the route to China was long and dangerous

Why did Britain set up an entrepôt in Singapore?

1842

When was the acquisition of Hong Kong?

1839

When was the Chinese opium blockade?

Foreign policy that is support by the use or threat of military force

What is 'gunboat diplomacy'?

1841

When did the navy seize Hong Kong and establish it as a entrepôt?

1842

When was the Treaty of Nanking signed?

Chinese government forced to pay compensation for lost opium

Allow the British to take/keep Hong Kong

Open ports to the British, esp Shanghai

Grant British citizens legal protections in China

What did the Chinese government agree to in the Treaty of Nanking?

Open ports to allow trade with low tariffs

Access to chuna

Why was the opening of Shanghai significant?

1859-69

Over what time period was the Suez Canal constructed?

France and Egyt

What two nations were involved in the construction of the Suez Canal?

1875

When was the acquisition of the Suez Canal?

Growing commercial benefit of the canal

Political concerns over the lack of British influence over the canal - effectively relying on the French

Worry regarding potential restrictions in British shipping

What were the motivations for acquiring the canal?

1890

When was the acquisition of Zanzibar?

Imperial strategy - German expansion changed the British position

What was the motive behind the acquisition of Zanzibar?

1890-96?

When was the scramble for Africa?

1898

When was the lease of Weihaiwei?

Just in case it turned out to be useful in countering Russian development

Why did the British lease Weihaiwei?