Empire

• What event is referred to when we say Britain lost its empire in the eighteenth century?

  Lost the 13 colonies
• What does 'gaining an empire' refer to in the context of British history?


  It refers to Australia as a prison colony
• What was the population of the British Empire in 1914?

  Over 400 million people
• How was the British Empire reformed after the loss of the American colonies?

  Restrictive trade policies were abandoned in favour of free trade
• What power was given to white settler colonies after the loss of the American colonies?

  They were given power over their own affairs
• What was the impact of heavy investment in the navy for Britain?

  Britain became master of the seas
• What role did the Industrial Revolution play in the expansion of the British Empire?


  It drove the expansion of the empire
• Which regions were not granted responsible self-government in the British Empire?

  India, Egypt, Sudan, and the rest of Africa
• What is the title of Rudyard Kipling's work that reflects imperial attitudes?

  'The White man’s burden'
• What was the population of the British Empire in 1922?

  458 million
• What was the Elizabethan idea regarding American plantations?

  It was driven by the desire of the Crown to emulate Spain and fear of France
• Who secured a patent from the Queen to colonise lands north of Spanish Florida?

  Humphrey Gilbert
• What happened to the first British settlement in North America on Roanoke Island?

  It survived only a year before being abandoned
• How was colonisation in America structured?

  It was a form of public-private partnership
• When was the Virginia Company established?

  In April 1606
• What was the first colony established by the Virginia Company?

  Virginia
• What crop was easily grown in Virginia?

  Tobacco
• How did the Virginia Company entice prospective settlers?

  By offering fifty-acre plots of land at negligible rents in perpetuity
• What significant event occurred in 1620 in Massachusetts?


  The Mayflower sailed and established the second settlement
• When was Georgia founded?

  In 1732
• What was the socio-economic nature of colonial society in America?

  Agricultural economies, e.g., southern colonies focused on tobacco
• How much tobacco was exported from Virginia by 1621?

  350,000 lbs a year
• What was the predominant religion among most settlers in America?

  Protestantism, with a significant percentage being Puritans
• What was the demographic characteristic of most white men in colonial America?

  They worked and owned their own land
• How many towns of considerable size existed in America by 1770?

  Five towns
• What was the population of Boston in 1770?

  20,000 inhabitants
• Why did skilled workers and tradesmen in towns command higher wages than in Europe?

  Due to the scarcity of labour
• Where did colonists' loyalties lie during this period?

  To their local communities and churches, rather than Britain
• Was there a real sense of American identity among colonists at this stage?

  No, there was no real sense of American identity
• How was each colony governed?

  By a governor appointed by the British Crown and a legislative assembly
• What was the responsibility of the legislative assembly in the colonies?

  To control money bills and expenditure
• What percentage of the adult male population elected the lower houses in the colonies?

  Between 50 and 80%
• Who was not represented in the colonial assemblies?

  Women and slaves
• What was the main role of colonial assemblies?

  To raise revenue for local services, pay local officials, and pass local legislation
• How did colonial assemblies exceed their responsibilities?

  By opposing the Sugar Tax and sending petitions to London
• What were the consequences of the small population size and extensive franchise in the colonies?

  There was a large, politicized voting population that did not want their rights infringed
• What does "salutary neglect" refer to in the context of British colonial policy?

  A policy of lax enforcement of trade regulations and loose supervision of colonial affairs
• What was the British government's stance during the period of salutary neglect?


  As long as the colonies remained loyal and profitable, they could manage their own affairs
• How did the relationship between the American colonies and Britain differ from other parts of the British Empire?

  The American colonies had greater autonomy
• What cultural factors united the American colonies?

  Common institutions, the English language, and British heritage