Having studied the sources in case study…., I am now ready to present my findings on why the British became empire builders in this region.
In this case study, it seems to me that the main motives of the British were diverse vis-à-vis to each region.
North America
1. At the outset, with reference to the region of North America, the main motives were Politics by means of the conditions that the French were settled in Louisiana, the Mississippi River, The Great Lakes and Quebec in Canada, as they were trading ‘fury’ with the Indians. In the intervening time, the British settled in thirteen colonies in the east coast of America created in 1685 by a decree from King James II: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and also all of the territory in Canada except Quebec. Inasmuch as the British controlled an excellent geographical position in America from a strategically point of view, they could as a result destroy the commerce of the French. This is due to that trading with the Indians required exceeding difficulties, great expenses and danger from the French. To extend my explanation, the French had to cross the cataracts by land, to avoid the waterfalls and when they launched their canoes to the other side, the British could annihilate them.
Succeeding, Trade was a fundamental motive via that in America there where natural resources such as: sugar, silk, mulberry trees, etc. Furthermore, there was a constructive development within the manufacturing techniques as well as equipment, for instance: many women learnt the art of reeling. This allowed the British to obtain excellent and exclusive goods to export; thus they achieved a production that gave them strong economical power due to that they sold them to other European countries which didn’t have the access to those goods and territory. Accordingly, they gained massive amounts of pounds.
Africa
1. The main motives that arose the interest of the British to become Empire builders in Africa specify Trade and Land. Africa possessed immense quantities of gold as well as diamonds, thus the British came across a remarkable opportunity to open mines and at the same time encountered a lucrative source of cheap native laborers. ’De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited’ was one of the outstanding companies that dedicated to the exploration, industrial manufacturing and commerce of diamonds. In addition, the British benefited from slave trading.
British colonies in Africa acquired half of the continent, including the entire oriental region and a portion of the west which meant a key strategic territory for the Empire. Its colonization expanded through South Africa, South West Africa, Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia, Bechuanaland, Nyasaland, Tanganyika, Kenya, Cameroon, Nigeria, British Togo Land, Gold Coast, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Uganda, Somali Land, Sudan and Egypt. The Suez Canal in Egypt was of vital importance for the strategic communications to the British Empire. It shortened the navigations from the Mediterranean Sea to India Ocean and Asian colonies.
India
1. The main motives in regards to the British becoming empire builders in India indicate Trade and Politics. Initially, the first presence of the British in India was in the course of the ‘East India Company’ which was dedicated to merchandise British goods to India. Moreover, this company possessed a high volume of trading from India to Britain which was shipping: pepper, saltpeter, cotton, silk, indigo dye, tea, and opium. To represent the importance of exchange among these two countries there is evidential prove that in the year 1692 eight ships were dispatched containing a total amount of 4110 tons and employing 823 men.
Despite this fact, the ‘East India Company’ also came to rule large swathes of India, exercising military power and assuming governmental functions, to the exclusion of its commercial objectives. Overall, I can see that there was a great deal of corruption.
Australia
1. The main motives concerning the British to become Empire builders in Australia affirm Land and Adventure. Even though, a Hollander was the first person to discover the island of Australia and named it after New Holland, Holland didn’t claim the possession of the land. In 1770 James Cook sailed along and mapped the east coast of Australia, which he named New South Wales and claimed it for Great Britain. Cook's discoveries prepared the way for establishment of a new penal colony sending British prisoners along with their families. To extend my explanation, Australia is a huge country, known to be the sixth continent in the world, as it possesses a large potential of various minerals and renewable resources.
Many persons were exceedingly enthusiastic to travel to Australia in order to explore the many astonishing excitements of the island, including the ‘aborigines’. Travelers commented among the fact that the aborigines had a miserable physical appearance; but on the other hand, it was profoundly fascinating that they happened to be happier than the Europeans themselves. This is due to that they lived in tranquility with nature which provided them with the all the essential as well as necessary resources to live. In addition, they didn’t care about the superficial interest of Europeans.
North America
2. I assume that the most important motive regarding North America is Trade.
Africa
2. I believe that the most important motive in propos to Africa is Land.
India
2. I think that the most important motive as to India is Trade.
Australia
2. I consider the fact that the most important motive towards Australia is Land.
North America
3. The evidence that led me to this decision is via that North America is an incredibly vast territory. Hence, it had great potential within the immigration to work in the production of goods, which allowed a successful development in the area of trading. To extend my explanation, in North America it was of much importance to the British Empire that there were plantations and refiners of sugar to sell this good to other European countries which required a fundamental resource: the manpower. As a result, this implicated making a big amount of money to the British Empire.
Africa
3. The evidence that led me to this decision is due to that African Land was immensely rich in precious minerals such as: gold and diamonds. From a strategic perspective, the Suez Canal played a key role as it permitted a far more efficient flow of ships from the Mediterranean to Asia and the far east, and vice versa. Furthermore, it was in control of the British authority.
India
3. The evidence that led me to this decision is by means that there was important exchange of goods between Britain and India involving exotic spices and herbs that were not cultivated in Europe. Some examples of spices are: pepper, tea, etc. It is very interesting to recognize the value of trade in this country as it used to be said: the Jewell of India.
Australia
3. The evidence that led me to this decision is the particular reason that this island was colonized by housing prisoners and their families at the very beginning. This was identified the Penal Colony. As it was a practically unpopulated territory, it later on permitted selective immigrating opportunities to commence a new life in the years to come.
North America
4. However, there were other motives too. For example, Politics was a key factor. There is evidence to support this view. The evidence is that there were other potential European Empires, these were: the French and the Spaniards and to a lesser extent, the Dutch. Having taken possession of the thirteen colonies in the eastern shores of America and Canada the British had control of the British territories in the Caribbean Islands. The above mentioned countries had possessions in the Caribbean Sea and some in North America also (France and Spain).
Africa
4. However, there were other motives too. For example, Trade was a key factor. There is evidence to support this view. The evidence is that besides from containing exclusive minerals like gold and diamonds. Africa was exporting coffee and cotton among others.
India
4. However, there were other motives too. For example, Politics was a key factor. There is evidence to support this view. The evidence is that India was a stronghold (physical possession) for the British. Therefore, it aloud they supervise as well as control the maritime transportation to the Far East.
Australia
4. However, there were other motives too. For example, Adventure was a key factor. There is evidence to support this view. The evidence is that for Australia being extremely vast having variety of geographical landscapes. Without a shadow of a doubt it became the ideal place to explore and observe the wonders of mother-nature.
North America
5. There is some evidence to show that Land was also a factor. For example, great extensions of land to cultivate goods and herbs such as: tobacco, cotton and sugar. Moreover, there were many forests to collect timber.
Africa
5. There is some evidence to show that Adventure was also a factor. For example, due to that there is a great expansion of terrestrial land containing all kinds of big and small wild animals. Thus, an attraction for natural observers and hunters, for instance: the famous safaris in Kenya.
India
5. There is some evidence to show that Ambition was also a factor. For example, being India the ‘crown jewel’ of the British Empire it is without any doubt a source of satisfaction.
Australia
5. There is some evidence to show that Politics was also a factor. For example, the geographical location of the Australia permitted the British to have a strong base in the Far East to protect the Empire’s interest within this area.
In conclusion, the British became overwhelmingly powerful as an Empire as it persisted with strategic objectives which resulted in the control of one quarter of the terrestrial mass and an outstanding number of 25% of the world’s population. They spread the English language around the world; if you take notice, Australia, New Zealand, North America and the British territories in the Caribbean speak this language. Moreover, from the case studies I can affirm that the most relevant value in order to become an Empire is the potential of the trade with the colonies. However, Trade and Politics go hand by hand, therefore, to my believe, both posses the same relevance. In addition, their dominance over the territory; their communications and military power allowed the British Empire to protect their economical activities.
“The British Empire spread from the West to the East side of the world,
So that it was said:
‘The sun never set on the British Empire’.”
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