The British Empire

1. The British Empire STUDY QUESTIONS MILLENNIUM 2 P. 7

2. What do we mean by the Irish Question? • With the expression ‘Irish question’ we refer to the Irish struggle for freedom from England. After the potato failure of 1845, a movement for Irish independence arose under the leadership of Charles Parnell, who requested Home Rule (self-government) for Ireland. 2. What was the British policy in Europe and who shaped it? • The British policy in Europe was shaped by the Liberal Foreign Minister, Lord Palmerston, who opposed the absolutist European monarchies (like Austria and Russia) so that England headed the liberal forces in Europe. This policy made Britain side with France and Turkey against Russia during the Crimean War. • What factors contributed to the expansion of the British Empire during Victoria’s reign? • The impulse to consolidate overseas markets and the surplus of population at home highly contributed to the expansion of the British Empire.

3. Consider the colonial policy in relation to: • Australia, New Zealand and Canada • India • Africa • Australia and New Zealand became flourishing centres for raising cattle and sheep; • Canada became a favourable emigrating land; • India, for the first time united under one single power, was taken over by British government from the East India Company becoming a British colony. In 1876 Queen Victoria became Empress of India, which also included Bangladesh and Pakistan. • In Africa the British occupied Uganda, Kenya, Rhodesia and the Niger territories; they also obtained the majority of shares of the Suez Canal and gained control over the provinces of Orange and Transvaal after defeating the Dutch in the Boer War. (1899-1902).

4. What did Queen Victoria’s Jubilees mean for Britain? • Victoria’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees celebrated not only the 50th and the 60th anniversaries of Victoria’s reign, but also Britain’s commercial and financial prosperity.