19th Century: Expansion and Empire

This section looks at the expansion of trading colonies in the British Empire during the 19^th Century.  The 19th century marked a period of unprecedented growth in Britain’s industry and trade, which saw the country expand its influence both domestically and overseas. As industrialisation progressed, the demand for raw materials and new markets for finished goods drove British businesses and the government to establish closer ties with overseas territories. This expansion was integral to Britain’s growing empire, which became a central feature of its global power.

Farming in Settler Colonies: Canada and New Zealand

In territories where white British settlers had migrated, such as Canada and New Zealand, farming became an essential source of exports to Britain. These colonies played a vital role in supplying goods to feed the rapidly growing population in Britain, particularly as fewer people worked in agriculture at home.

• Canada: The vast Canadian prairies became a key source of grain, with wheat and other crops being exported to Britain. This agricultural output helped meet the growing food demands of Britain’s expanding urban population.
• New Zealand: New Zealand, with its fertile land and favourable climate, began to develop a successful export economy. Initially, wool was the dominant export, but after 1881, the introduction of refrigerated ships enabled the transport of lamb and beef, which became an important part of New Zealand's trade with Britain.

The Suez Canal and Trade with Asia

One of the most significant developments in global trade during the 19th century was the construction of the Suez Canal in Egypt. Opening in 1869, the canal provided a direct maritime route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, significantly shortening the journey between Britain and Asia. This drastically accelerated the movement of goods such as tea, cotton, and spices from India, as well as British manufactured goods being exported to Asia.

The strategic importance of the Suez Canal was quickly recognised by the British government, which purchased the Khedive of Egypt’s shares in the canal in 1875. This acquisition effectively gave Britain significant control over the canal and led to increased British involvement in Egypt’s governance. Britain maintained indirect control over Egypt until the 1950s, further strengthening its imperial interests in the region.

West African Trade in Palm Oil

As the transatlantic slave trade came to an end in the early 19th century, British merchants sought new avenues for profit. One of the most significant trades they turned to was the export of palm oil from West Africa. Palm oil was a valuable commodity, used in the manufacturing of soap and as a lubricant for machinery, making it highly sought after during the industrial revolution.

By the mid-19th century, British merchants began importing palm oil from West Africa, particularly from regions such as southeastern Nigeria, where towns like Old Calabar had once been major slave trading ports. However, African traders controlled the production and supply of palm oil, and they ensured that British merchants could not engage directly with the suppliers, instead trading through intermediaries.

In the late 19th century, as the price of palm oil began to decline, Britain sought to maximise its profits by controlling the trade. This led to conflict with local rulers such as JaJa of Opobo, who resisted British attempts to dominate the palm oil trade. In 1887, the British tricked JaJa onto a boat, transporting him to the Gold Coast for trial on charges of obstructing trade. Following JaJa’s removal, Britain absorbed the Opobo territory into its empire and incorporated it into the newly formed Nigerian colony.

Cecil Rhodes and the Scramble for Africa

In southern Africa, the discovery of diamonds in Kimberley in the 1860s, followed by the discovery of gold in the Witwatersrand in the 1880s, sparked an economic and imperial rush. British businessmen and prospectors flocked to the region to stake their claims, and one of the most prominent figures to emerge from this era was Cecil John Rhodes.

Rhodes became one of the most influential figures in southern and central Africa. He amassed significant wealth by taking over diamond mining operations and founding the De Beers diamond company in 1888. He also expanded British control in the region, particularly through his acquisition of Matabeleland in 1891. This was achieved through the use of deceptive tactics against King Lobengula of the Matabele, who was tricked into ceding control of his land to British interests.

Rhodes dreamed of a British-controlled territory stretching from the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa to Cairo in Egypt—what he referred to as a “Cape to Cairo” railway. While this ambitious railway never came to fruition, by the turn of the 20th century, British colonies and territories spanned from the Mediterranean to the Cape, creating a continuous stretch of British control across much of Africa.

Conclusion

The 19th century was a period of significant expansion for Britain’s industry and empire, with the growth of trade networks and the pursuit of new colonies. The British government and businesses alike sought new markets, raw materials, and strategic routes to maintain Britain’s position as a global power. The exploitation of territories such as Canada, New Zealand, and large parts of Africa, alongside the construction of the Suez Canal, allowed Britain to further cement its dominance in global trade. However, this expansion was not without conflict and resistance, both locally and internationally, as indigenous peoples and rival powers fought to retain control over their land and resources. Despite these challenges, the British Empire continued to expand and thrive throughout the 19th century, reshaping the global economy and influencing the course of world history.