history source question

Extract 1 is highly convincing in relation to driving forces shaping British imperial policy because it gives a well-roundedapproach on all the factors of British imperial policy. The source states that ‘’international rivalries and anxieties about prestige were central.” This shows the importance that expansion of other European colonies had on British imperial policy. For example, the British annexed Bechuanaland due to the new growing German empire in 1885. Germany was a new empire and had arrived in south Africa. Their presence was seen as a threat because British did not want them to form an alliance with the Boers. The Boers resisted the British because they wanted total independence and British wanted to control them. This prevented Boers and Germany from becoming allies as Bechuanaland was in between their territories. This British strategic policy allowed them to have complete control over Boers and limited expansion for both Boers and Germans. Also,the source talks about “economic considerations” and the impact they had. This can be seen through individual economic successes from individuals like Cecil Rhodes. Cecil Rhodes first made his individual wealth through diamond fields in Kimberly.This was unethical as he exploited workers by using forced labor. He then set up the British South Africa company where Britain owned 90% of the world’s diamond production. Britain used successful traders to grow the economy of their empire. Britain used up the resources of their colonies for economic gainand did not grow the economy of natives. This shows that key individuals played a significant role in the economic growth for Britain. The source states that political calculations were dominant. Due to Cecil Rhodes economic successes, he was able to become prime minister of cape colony. This shows that traders had political roles as they had the knowledge and expertise from trading. Cecil Rhodes was best suited to be prime minister as he had grown British economy by trading in South Africa. This received a royal charter which highlights that Rhodes role was supported by the monarchy. British imperial policy was run by traders as their economic expertise could be traded for political knowledge. Therefore, British imperial policy was based more on strategic and political reasons, but economic factors did play a part.

Extract 2 is slightly convincing in the driving forces that shape British imperial policy because it does not talk about British colonies outside of Africa or non-colonies. The source states that “Europe’s search for minerals and markets had become insatiable.” This caused the Berlin conference where colonies had to establish claim through effective occupation. This way colonies would claim territories peacefully and other colonieswould know. This prevented conflict between colonies but created competion between them. After the Berlin Conference 90% of Africa was in European hands. This shows that British imperial policy was based on completion between rivals. Also, the source states that colonies wanted “exploitation.” This is clear through the Brussels conference in 1876. King Leopoldestablished his own Congo empire and treated natives horribly. His focus was to protect Belgian interest which caused suspicions. This led to the British finding out that king Leopoldhad established his own Congo empire and treated the natives horribly. This shows that British imperial policy was because of lack of trust with other empires. The source says that the Britishestablished a system of indirect rule. This can be seen in Egypt after revolts caused by political tension. Arabi Pasha put supporters of a nationalist rebellion in positions of power. This fueled anger against the British government. To solve this, Egypt was a British protectorate, officials were monitored by British administrators. Before Egypt was a veiled protectorate, the Egyptian government had lots of power that was exploited by nationalists. This shows that British imperial policy was stricter in regions that had rebelled against British rule.Therefore, British imperial policy was affected by what rival colonies did and what happened in their colonies.

Extract 3 is the least convincing to the driving force shaped by British imperial policy because it talks about the benefits and drawbacks of empire instead. The source states that “men who made decisions were holders of state powers.” It gives a negative view on colonial administrator and prime ministers. Disraeli is an example of this as he was responsible for the war with the Zulus and Pedis. It took 6 months for the British to win. The war was because British wanted a confederation over south Africa, but the natives didn’t. Moreover, Disraeli did notcarefully plan for the war which caused Britain to lose, and Disraeli to be voted out. This shows that British imperialismpolicy caused unnecessary wars that could have been prevented. The source says that the empire focused on “profits and momentary inputs and outputs.” This is evident through the opium war. The British forced opium into China to provide for Chinese goods like tea, cotton and silk. This was the only resource that Britain could import. Even though it was banned, Britain needed to find a way of paying for Chinese goods. Britain caused mass addiction to get the Chinese people to buy increased opium. This shows that the British ignored policies of China for its own interest. This also shows how strong Britishimperial policy is as it diminished China’s policies against opium. Therefore, British imperial policy had huge influence on colonies based on trade and decisions by politicians.

Overall, British imperial policy was driven by political aims like wanting a confederation with south Africa. Prime ministers like Disraeli and Cecil Rhodes played a huge role in policy of British colonies. Economic aims like trading in China and South Africa lead to trading and British rule in colonies. There were strategicaims like annexing Bechuanaland and Belgium and Brussels conference. British imperial policy was mostly driven by political and strategic.