Joseph Chamberlain and Cecil Rhodes both played very large roles in expanding the control of the British Empire, but outcomes of certain events led to the British Empire being more harmed than benefited.
The factors that portray Joseph Chamberlain did have a positive affect the British Empire are mainly consisting of the reforms he passed, that overall, improved the structure and the economic wealth of the British Empire. Due to his reforms comprising of trade, he produced a high market for British goods, which ultimately boosted the employment and industry in the colonies. Moreover, in relation to healthcare, Chamberlain also made reforms that introduced the school of tropical medicine and ordered the drainage of marshes to reduce the threat of malaria. This consequently improved the living standards of the populations and earned the British Empire more respect. Chamberlain, in addition to his reforms, annexed Transvaal and the Orange Free State, as a result of the Boer War in 1899, which were states that had huge economic resources and was of strategic importance to keep Cape free from Boer threats as it controlled a route to India. Therefore, from analysing the factors above, it is clear to say that Joseph Chamberlain did more good than harm to the British Empire.
However, there are also factors that suggest Chamberlain did more harm than good to the British Empire. The most prominent factor that suggests this is the Jameson Raid. Chamberlain supported the raid completely as he knew it would be a step further in to the expansion of the British Empire from ‘Cape to Cairo’. However, its outcome was far from what Chamberlain had expected. It turned out to be a complete failure and embarrassment for Britain. This ultimately harmed the British Empire as it lost a great amount of prestige from the outcome of the event and halted the process of forming a colony of the whole of South Africa, that inevitably led to the Boer War. Therefore, it is evident that Joseph Chamberlain did more harm than good to the British Empire.
There are also many factors that portray Cecil Rhodes did have a positive affect the British Empire. The most prominent factor suggesting this would be that his company annexed large spans of African land consisting of; Nyasaland, Mashonaland, Bechuanaland and Rhodesia, that he founded. This was beneficial to the British Empire as he donated the annexed states to the British Empire and ultimately increased Britain’s control in South and Central Africa. Moreover, Rhodes also provoked war with the Boers due to the outcomes of the Jameson Raid, which led to Britain occupying Transvaal and the Orange Free State, which ultimately increased the British Empire’s control and trading market in South Africa. Therefore, from analysing the factors above, it is clear to say that Joseph Chamberlain did more good than harm to the British Empire.
However, there are also factors that suggest Rhodes did more harm than good to the British Empire. One factor that illustrates this is the specific methods that were used by Rhodes’ company during the Boer War in 1899. Inhumane strategies such as imprisoning the Boers within concentration camps were used by Rhodes’ company. This consequently had a significant effect on the British Empire as it was seen as an embarrassment and a disgraceful act by the British military. Therefore, it is evident that Cecil Rhodes did more harm than good to the British Empire.
In conclusion, from analysing the factors of both men above, it is clear to say that overall, Joseph Chamberlain and Cecil Rhodes, both as a whole, were more beneficial than harmful to the British Empire. Although the British Empire’s prestige was affected badly due to the embarrassment and lack of military skill in the Jameson Raid and the Boer War, both men contributed significantly to increasing the British Empire territory and control in the Southern and Central parts of Africa. With the key aim of the British Empire being to control several parts of Africa to increase British influence and trade, Chamberlain and Rhodes contributed enormously, and pushed the British Empire a step closer to achieving their aim.
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