- Concept of ‘Swing to the East’ by Vincent Harlow
- As a result of loss of American colonies, Britain grew with renewed interest to Africa and India.
- Industrial revolution
- Production of steamships and weapons allowed for Britain to easily establish foothold in different continents.
- Scramble for Africa and ‘old diplomacy’
- Historian Dane Kennedy cites ‘growing political power’ of rivals and competitors for reasons in expanding in Africa.
- Companies like the Royal Niger Company, the Imperial British East Africa Company and the British South Africa Company were chartered to protect the Crown’s interest in those areas.
- Done to protect claims against other European companies and powers.
- Trade and economy
- As a result of Industrial Revolution, prices plummeted due to ease of access and Empire was seen with ‘renewed interest’ as Dane Kennedy puts it.
- New trading partners helped during The Great Depression of 1873-1896
- Coal, iron and timber sought to feed demands of British industry.
- As British industry developed, need for trade partners developed. British bought resources from Africa to manufacture into goods such as weapons and textiles and sold them back to Africa.
- Expansion in Africa led to opening of inland routes and discovery of mineral and resources. Investment opportunities followed.
- British Foreign Office Memorandum cites interest in East Africa for reasons such as:
- ‘mineral wealth’
- ‘unlimited capacity for the production of cattle’
- ‘a European climate within easy reach of the coast’
- ‘natives are more naturally industrious than most of the West Coast tribes’
- ‘the establishment of any Government strong enough to enforce good order and prevent the raids of more turbulent tribes’
- Strategic factors
- Cape Colony had warm waters, deep ports – allowing for bigger harbours and giving access to Middle East, India, Australia, New Zealand and China.
- Interests in West Africa protected by building coastal defences in Sierra Leone and Gambia.
- Idea of ‘moral superiority’ and religion
- Christian missionaries saw it as a ‘duty’ to educate ‘heathen’ people
- David Livingstone is a prime example.
- Historian Lawrence James suggests there was ‘general agreement that the Empire was a powerful force for the spread of civilisation’
- Adventurers, explorers and success stories
- Explorers and adventurers told stories of gold and raw materials.
- Christian missionaries saw it as a ‘duty’ to educate ‘heathen’ people
Merchants like George Goldie and Cecil Rhodes vetted success stories of business in Africa. British rule often followed.