Nature of British Colonialism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

personality of British Colonialism - Essay ExampleSo the course of the different British colonies is diverse.1Generally, the overall quality of compound administration improved at the beginning of the nineteenth century, when the Colonial Office prospered under effective leading who created distinct departments, recruited and hired experts in colonial management, and worked with true graciousitarian intentions to create insurance that recognized the human worth of the colonists. According to historian Harold J. Schultz, the leaders of the Office, under the influence of the humanitarian and Evangelical movement, produced a colonial constitution favoring missionary expansion and racial equality.2At the end of the nineteenth century, a turn over of imperialist expansion swept over European nations. Fostered by nationalism, militarism, and the Industrial Revolution, Britain and its neighbors determined the best determine for real expansion was overseas. They began what is often te rmed a scramble for colonies, which may have been just as messy a process as the word implies. Britain began to feel threatened by the other nations expansion. It worried nigh its sources of raw materials, its markets, and its ability to conduct free trade.3 This fear affected its attitudes about colonies and its policies.In Canada, colonial policy was influenced by friction between groups such as French and English, and Catholic and Protestant. In the north, early colonists were infuriated by the influx of new settlers and worried that local government might come under their control. In the south, the elected Assembly feuded with the upper house, which was seen as the governors cronies. There was actually a rebellion in 1837, which showed the British government how serious the Canada situation was. Britain sent manufacturer Durham to Canada to assess the situation and make testimonials.4Lord Durhams assessment concluded there were two basic problems in Canada two races warring in the bosom of a single nation, and representative government without political responsibility for its actions.5 He created a plan to link Upper and Lower Canada to reduce racial differences, and offered ideas to reform the government to make it more honest and effective. His recommendation was to allow governors to select their ministers from members with a majority in the Assembly.6 In this way, the legislature would have a superpower check on the executive branch. Durhams plan was quite fair and reasonable. It showed that creating responsible government for at least(prenominal) some colonies was Britains goal. It suggested that the colony-mother country relationship would be one of voluntary association, and not coercion. Britain had been paying attention in the years after the American Revolution, and now had a different view of that relationship.7 IndiaAll colonial policy is influenced by economics, but that seems to be especially the case with India. After the Seven Years War, the East India Company grew in power from a trading post to a private imperial empire.8 The company ill-treat its power in India, governing without accountability. Corrupt officials made huge fortunes collecting taxes and pocketing them. Corruption became widespread adequacy to draw the interest of the House of Commons. Lord North reduced the companys power but still left over(p) it with control. Over