In order to protect the balance of power, Britain knew it had to protect trade routes to India. A lot of money was made through exports to India. The Indian Mutiny, 1857-1858, was when there was an uprising of dissatisfied soldiers in India, and the British troop’s recon quested. The British took savage reprisals for the massacres perpetrated by the rebels. This benefitted Britain by making it more powerful, and also maintaining India as a vital trade companion.
Another of Britain’s main aims was protecting overseas trade and the economy. Between 1851 and 1873, Britain’s economy increased dramatically. Between 1845 & 1860 economic growth averaged 1.7% & this rose to 3.6% between 1861 and 1865 and 2.1% between 1866 & 1874. Exports rose and wages rose. Higher wages meant people could now spend their extra money on luxury items, resulting in a demand for consumer goods. There was now a need for more imports into Britain. Free trade was becoming necessary for Britain. It meant no tariffs, which in turn would lead to an increase in Britain’s economy. To other countries, the more Britain was exporting, the more powerful it was becoming – meaning any Wars or uprisings were unlikely. Free trade also meant good relations with a lot of countries, meaning peace in Europe.
Another aim of British foreign & imperial policy was based upon Russophobia. Britain saw Russia as a huge threat to its own interests. They were worried about Russia’s desire to expand westwards into Europe. Britain knew this could only be achieved through the Weaknesses of the Ottoman Empire, something which Britain was desperate to protect as it knew that if the Ottoman Empire was to collapse, then other great European powers would claim parts of the Empire and thus become more powerful. Russia was also growing more powerful within Europe, and posed a threat in the Mediterranean – which was vital for trade. It was also worried because Russia was seen as being willing to use aggressive diplomacy and military force in order to expand Westward.
The Crimean War was an example of Britain preventing the growth of Russia, and it was fought in order to prevent disruption in the balance of power, protect trade routes to India, and to prevent the breakup of the Turkish Empire. Britain won the War, however still felt very threatened by Russia.
Towards the end of the nineteenth century, Britain’s policies changed, and this resulted in new imperialism.
Economic imperialism is one commonly held explanation for imperial growth. Britain needed to develop new markets for its manufactured goods. The European markets were becoming saturated, and demand for British goods was in decline. Europe was experiencing its own self-industrialisation and thus becoming less dependent on British imports. Britain needed a new, expanded Empire, as it offered more opportunities for investment.
Strategic imperialism is another explanation for the new imperialism. Britain wanted to protect its existing trade routes, and create new ones. Britain was being threatened by the other great powers – Prussia had defeated France and created a new, united Germany in Europe. The British North America Act gave Canada internal self-government, there was a worry that other white dominions would want similar status. Britain wanted to expand it’s territory’s in order to increase its global influence. Britain wanted to be the most powerful country with the largest empire, and since Britain had started trading with only the countries within its colonies, it needed to expand its Empire. If other states began to increase their territorial power then so must Britain. Empire was becoming a measure of international power.
Britain also wanted to bring ‘civilisation’ to those parts of the world ‘uncivilised’. For the British, civilisation meant British culture and this meant bringing the notion of British superiority to the indigenous peoples. By westernising its colonies, Britain sought to secure its more control more effectively and so face less threat of revolts.
And success in expanding Britain’s power base had vote winning potential at home. Both Disraeli and Lord Salisbury exploited this as British influence in Africa grew. Patriotism was becoming a popular concept and successive governments were able to use imperial expansionism to generate patriotism and increase their own popularity amongst the voters.
Overall however, there was a consistency in Britain foreign and imperial policy from 1856-1902. Russia was always perceived as a threat, imperial trade had to be protected, and peace in Europe, maintained through a balance of power was kept throughout the period of time. In fact, the purpose and principles of British foreign and imperial policy remained, in most parts, the same. It was, however, the methods used to fulfil the principles that proved to be so variable in consistency.