Chapter IXChapter IX

Colonial Expansion Colonial Expansion and Parliamentary and Parliamentary

ReformsReforms

I. Colonial Expansion

1. Reason for colonial expansion1. Reason for colonial expansion

By the middle of the 19th century Britain

had completed its Industrial Revolution and

began to enjoy its position as the workshop of

the world. Manufactured goods were produced

in great quantities, so large markets were

needed. For this purpose Britain frenziedly

expanded its colonies.

2. Expansion in Asia

A. The Crimean War

a. Timea. Time::

from 1845 to 1856from 1845 to 1856

b. The countries involved:b. The countries involved:

Britain, Turkey, France, RussiaBritain, Turkey, France, Russia

c. Reason: c. Reason:

for the balance of power in Europe and the for the balance of power in Europe and the desire of the western powers to keep Turkey as a desire of the western powers to keep Turkey as a barrier against Russian expansion into the Balkans.barrier against Russian expansion into the Balkans.

d. Consequence:d. Consequence: In 1856 peace was signed at Paris. Russia In 1856 peace was signed at Paris. Russia agreed not to fortify Sebastopol, and the Danube agreed not to fortify Sebastopol, and the Danube River was opened to free navigation.River was opened to free navigation.

B. Colonial expansion in IndiaB. Colonial expansion in India In 1587 India soldiers in the British army

rebelled, however, the British element in the Indian army was strengthened.

C. Colonial expansion in ChinaC. Colonial expansion in Chinaa. In 1840, Britain launched an aggressive war against

China. This was the Opium War. The corrupted Qing government surrendered to the British invaders and was force to sign the first unequal Treaty of Nanjing in 1842.

b. From 1856 to 1860, Britain and French forces occb. From 1856 to 1860, Britain and French forces occupied many cities in China. They plundered and upied many cities in China. They plundered and burned down the Yuan Ming Yuan burned down the Yuan Ming Yuan palacepalace..

c. In 1900, Britain , allied with other seven countries c. In 1900, Britain , allied with other seven countries invaded China and got the lower and middle Yainvaded China and got the lower and middle Yangtse valley as well as a large amount of money ngtse valley as well as a large amount of money according to the Treaty of Beijing.according to the Treaty of Beijing.

D. Colonial expansion in other Asian countries

In 1842, Britain occupied Singapore and MalayIn 1842, Britain occupied Singapore and Malaya.a.

In 1886, BurmaIn 1886, Burma

3. Expansion in Africa

A. Got the Cape colony from Holland

B. In 1901, defeated the Boers and annexed the two semi-independent Boer republics.

Britain occupied one-third of the whole of Africa.

4. From the mid-19th century a number of British colonies were organized into dominions.

A. the dominion of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

B. By the end of the 19th Century Britain had occupied about a quarter of the earth’s inhabitable area. So Britain boasted that she ran an “empire on which the sun never sets”

II. The Industrial Monopoly1. Reasons of the monopoly

A. Upon the completion of the Industrial Revolution A. Upon the completion of the Industrial Revolution

by 1850 England became the workshop of the by 1850 England became the workshop of the

world.world.

B. On the road to free trade, foreign markets were B. On the road to free trade, foreign markets were

extended and demands for British goods increased.extended and demands for British goods increased.

C. In the middle of the 19th century England already C. In the middle of the 19th century England already

revealed at least two outstanding characteristics of revealed at least two outstanding characteristics of

imperialism: vast colonies and monopoly profit.imperialism: vast colonies and monopoly profit.

2. Reasons for the decline

The interests of different sections of the The interests of different sections of the community diverged.community diverged.

Arable and meat-producing farmers felt the full Arable and meat-producing farmers felt the full weight of foreign competition.weight of foreign competition.

Many industrialists felt the growing pressure of Many industrialists felt the growing pressure of foreign competition both in old and new foreign competition both in old and new industries.industries.

British textile industry was declining rapidly. British textile industry was declining rapidly. The world markets were lost.The world markets were lost. Exports fell.Exports fell.

III. Party Politics and Reforms

1. The two British political parties: The Conserv

atives and the Liberals were in power alternativ

ely during 19th C.

2. Viscount Palmerston

A. Position: The Prime Minister during 1859 to 18

65 with the image of the successful bourgeois

B. His chief preoccupation was with foreign affairs.

C. In domestic policy he resisted any reform that c

ould be resisted and delayed overdue reform.

D. After his death, the question of parliamentary r

eform was re-opened.

3.The parliamentary reform3.The parliamentary reformA. Background

a. a. The industrial bourgeoisie, who had reaped the

fruits of the Reform Act of 1832, struggled for

further reform in their own interests.

b. The trade unions, which developed rapidly after the

Chartist Movement, supported further reform.

c. Realizing that parliamentary reform was irresistible,

the leaders of the Liberals and Conservatives fell

over each other to get the credit for it.

B. Gladstone

He introduced a modest and colourless bill that was severely attached.

C. Disraeli

He lowered property qualifications and extended the franchise to all householders. He added new names to the register and gave the vote to many workingmen in the towns and cities.

The industrial bourgeoisie was politically strengthened. But agricultural labourers and the urban workers who were not house holders remained voteless.

D. Gladstone’s reform

1870 the Irish Land Act; Education Act

1871 the Trade Union Act

1872 the Ballot Act—the beginning of secret

voting

Though these reforms were far-reaching and

fundamental, many of them did not satisfy affected

interests. Therefore, Gladstone was defeated by

Disraeli at the general election of 1874.

E. Disraeli’s reform

1875 the Employers and Workmen Act1875 the Employers and Workmen Act

the Trade Union Actthe Trade Union Act

the Public Health Actthe Public Health Act

the Artisans and Laborer’s Dwelling the Artisans and Laborer’s Dwelling Improvement ActImprovement Act

1878 Factory Act1878 Factory Act

F. The Liberals were returned to power in 1880F. The Liberals were returned to power in 1880

1884 The Third Reform Bill1884 The Third Reform Bill

1885 Redistribution Act1885 Redistribution Act

IV. Emergence of the Labor Party1. Working-class organizations increased in

size and importance. But the Trade Unions’

activities tended to be opportunist in

character.

2. In 1868 the first Trade Union met in

Manchester. Union aimed at sending

workingmen or spokesmen to Parliament,

though not at forming a distinct Labor Party

at first. They used strikes as a means of

struggle.

3. In the 1880’s and early 1890’s a variety

of labor organizations was formed—all c

onscious, at least intermittently, that, wh

atever their differences, they were part o

f a labor movement.

4. The Fabian Society: founded in 1883—1

884, included intellectuals, such as G. B.

Shaw and H. G. Wells, who were to play

an important part in the 20th C politics.

5. In February 1900 a labor representation

conference was held in London at which trade unions, co-operatives and labor organizations agreed to found a committee, the Labor Representation Committee, with Ramsay MacDonald as first secretary.

A. It’s aim was to promote the return of LA. It’s aim was to promote the return of Labor members to Parliament. This conference abor members to Parliament. This conference marked the beginning of the 20th century Labmarked the beginning of the 20th century Labor Party, which, with Liberal support, won 29 or Party, which, with Liberal support, won 29 seats at the general election of 1906 and was rseats at the general election of 1906 and was renamed the Labor Party in the same year.enamed the Labor Party in the same year.

B. The leaders of the Labour Party were opportunists in character, for they renounced violence and advocated peaceful reform. So it was not an independent political party of the proletariat.

6. Although until 1914 the Labor Party at 6. Although until 1914 the Labor Party at

Westminster for the most part supported the Westminster for the most part supported the

Liberals, in 1909 it secured the allegiance of Liberals, in 1909 it secured the allegiance of

the mines’ members. Financially backed by the mines’ members. Financially backed by

the trade unions, it was eventually to take the trade unions, it was eventually to take

the place of the Liberal Party as the second the place of the Liberal Party as the second

major party in the state.major party in the state.

The EndThe End

The Crimean War

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Opium War

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the Yuan Ming Yuan palacethe Yuan Ming Yuan palace

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seven countries invaded Chinaseven countries invaded China

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