1.4.3
Traders & Colonial Administrators
The Role of Traders
The Role of Traders
Traders were able to exert considerable influence when they were "on the spot". Key figures included:
Cecil Rhodes
Cecil Rhodes
- Cecil Rhodes was 'the worst type of monopolizing imperialists' according to Kitchen (1996).
- Rhodes owned all the diamond mines in South Africa and owned the predecessor of the De Beers diamond cartel.
- In 1889, Rhodes founded the British South Africa Company. He established the colony of Rhodesia (named after himself) and supported the British South Africa Company's expansion against German and Boer interests, securing gold discovered in the Witwatersrand Reef in South Africa, and a strategic position against rivals.
William Mackinnon
William Mackinnon
- Mackinnon worked in the trading bays in Bengal. In 1856, he founded the Calcutta and Burma Steam Navigation Company.
- Mackinnon founded the British East Africa Company, which controlled areas of Uganda and Kenya, taxed the local population, and governed the area, whilst British people were immune from any prosecution.
- In 1892, a civil war broke out between local people and the East African Company.
- In 1893, the territory run by the British East African Company was transferred to the British government. Uganda became a protectorate.
- Mackinnon was motivated by financial and missionary ideals. He founded the Free Church of Scotland East African Scottish Mission in Kenya (1891).
George Goldie
George Goldie
- Goldie traded palm oil in the Niger (palm oil replaced slaves as the main export in the region).
- In 1879, he persuaded all British trading firms working on the Niger River to join to form the United African Company. This created a monopoly. After 5 years of resistance, and after buying French trading companies in the Niger, Goldie was granted a charter by Parliament. The Company was renamed the Royal Niger Company.
- Local chiefs, like Jaja of Opobo, were banned by the Company from exporting palm oil. King Koko of the Nembe resisted the Company's control of Nigeria and was forced into exile.
- In 1900, the British Government took direct control of the 2 protectorates included in Goldie's company, Northern Nigeria and Southern Nigeria in exchange for £895,000. The local population seems like an afterthought of the transaction.
The Role of Colonial Administrators
The Role of Colonial Administrators
Colonial administrators had the ability to wield considerable influence in the British Empire. Key figures included:
Evelyn Baring
Evelyn Baring
- Baring's first posting was in India, appointed as a private secretary to the Viceroy.
- Baring, later known as Lord Cromer, was competent, but arrogant, leading to the nickname of ‘Over-Baring’.
- Baring believed in British superiority to all of the Indians and Egyptians over whom he ruled.
- Baring's second posting was as the Consul General in Egypt (1882-1907).
- Baring approved the Dufferin Report (1883), which established a puppet parliament.
Bartle Frere
Bartle Frere
- Frere initially worked in the Indian Civil Service.
- He was appointed as High Commissioner of Cape Colony in 1877.
- Frere was an imperialist and was arrogant.
- In 1878, Frere attempted to increase British control in South Africa. This led to a war with the local Zulu tribe, led by King Cetshwayo.
- Frere was removed from power for his actions.
1High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914
1.1Development of Imperialism, 1857-1890
1.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1857-1890
1.3Trade & Commerce, 1857-1890
1.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1857-1890
1.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1857-1890
2Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914
2.1Consolidation & Expansion in Africa, 1890-1914
2.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1890-1914
2.3Trade & Commerce, 1890-1914
2.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
2.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1890-1914
3Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967
3.1Expansion & Contraction of Empire, 1914-1947
3.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1914-1947
3.3Trade, Commerce & Economic Impact of War
3.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
3.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1914-1947
4The Wind of Change, 1947-1967
4.1Decolonisation in Africa & Asia, 1947-1967
4.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1947-1967
4.3Trade & Commerce, 1947-1967
4.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1947-1967
4.5Post-Colonial Ties, 1947-1967
4.6Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1947-1967
Jump to other topics
1High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914
1.1Development of Imperialism, 1857-1890
1.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1857-1890
1.3Trade & Commerce, 1857-1890
1.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1857-1890
1.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1857-1890
2Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914
2.1Consolidation & Expansion in Africa, 1890-1914
2.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1890-1914
2.3Trade & Commerce, 1890-1914
2.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
2.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1890-1914
3Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967
3.1Expansion & Contraction of Empire, 1914-1947
3.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1914-1947
3.3Trade, Commerce & Economic Impact of War
3.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
3.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1914-1947
4The Wind of Change, 1947-1967
4.1Decolonisation in Africa & Asia, 1947-1967
4.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1947-1967
4.3Trade & Commerce, 1947-1967
4.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1947-1967
4.5Post-Colonial Ties, 1947-1967
4.6Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1947-1967
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