- Missionaries helped open up territories to British rule by penetrating beyond colonial frontiers (for example, into the Congo in Africa or inland China in the 1880s) by establishing links with indigenous communities. Shared their geographical and strategic knowledge with the chiefs and British authorities.
- Wanted to open up the world to Christianity, saw populations amongst whom they worked as ‘in need’ of saving from ignorance and moral poverty. Contributed to imperialistic and jingoistic views in Britain, as many believed natives benefitted.
- They criticised imperial politics but weren’t starkly opposed to concept of imperialism. Helped increase economic and material prosperity for people in regions, advanced imperialism by consolidating or staking claims to territory thus extending Britain’s commercial reach.
- Methodist missionaries particularly active.
- By middle of the 18th century, Wesylean missionaries had set up ‘Conferences’ to oversee missions in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
- Those from Australia helped establish ground for British rule in Fiji, 1874.
- South African conference similarly established in 1882.
- In 1883, John Mackenzie put pressure on British government to establish protectorate over Bechuanaland.
- Missions also established in China and India from 1850s and West Indies in 1885.
- Female missionaries also grew.
- Mary Slessor aimed to end practice of killing twins in Calabar, Nigeria.
- Mary Carpenter worked to improve female education in India when she travelled there in 1866.
- By middle of the 18th century, Wesylean missionaries had set up ‘Conferences’ to oversee missions in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Missions also clashed between one another at times, with natives or even colonial rulers. Therefore, it sometimes delayed British rule by prolonging annexation and challenging imperial authority. Some Christian missionaries provided focus for opposition to colonial rule.