debates over trade and commerce within the empire

• who was John A Hobson?

  an economist that wrote novels about the empire. essentially a critic of the empire that believed only capitalists benefitted.

  • believed mine owners tricked the US to fight Boers to preserve own profits.
• what did Joseph Chamberlain discuss to improve the empire?

  pro imperialist that convened the 1902 London colonial conference for leaders from Britain and Dominions (NZ, Australia, Canada) discussed creating closer economic ties through imperial customs union, creating a boost to imperial trade via mutual customs agreements and tarrifs against imports from non imperial powers.
• what was Chamberlains opinion on imperial trade?

  he preferred it. Strategic importance was present in case of emergency, colonies also had a potential for more growth- 'imperial preference'.
• why were Chamberlains ideas resisted?

  manufacturing, shipping and banking industries wanted free trade and argued that British wealth comes from free trade and the old economic meaning of the empire (mercantilism) is gone.

  • important to note Chamberlains ideas in the 1906 general election were rejected overall by the public (they noticed food prices would increase if agreed on)
• how did it start going downhill for Britain trade wise?

  1914, Australia, NZ and south Africa had all imposed import tarrifs to assert national interests over any loyalty to Britain. Canada had made their own trading agreements with Germany. France, Italy and Japan. in India Britain textiles/goods were boycotted and burned in the streets as the swadeshi (self sufficiency) movement wanted to undermine the Raj.