Thread: Essay on the rise of British Imperialism

It's a good question. I guess you should first ask what you mean by imperialism.

Is it the reason for the Brits to have an Empire at all or for this Empire to expand. Or finally do you consider the British foreign policy in general as imperialistic and as such interesting for your subject.

Depending how you determine the question, you may reach different conclusions.

If it is the actual expansion of the Empire, you'll have to look at Africa. There geo-political factors (protecting the route to India) as well as more immediate extractive incentive (role of diamonds in the Zulu War) are paramount.

When it comes to preserving the Empire itself, you have to look at Indian first and foremost. There a ensuring a taxe base and a captive market first for the Company and then the kingdom was certainly the key. Destroying the competition of Indian cotton workers was certainly a major plus.

Finally, when it comes to the imperialistic foreign policy, the case of China comes to mind. Even though it was never part of the empire, the gunboat diplomacy (and some actual land invasions) garantied that the vast Chinese market remained opened to business (Opium Wars).