Imperialism and Free Trade

Imperialism and Free Trade

Like many terms used with the study of empire, the term Imperialism is

considerably loaded, with many negative connotations. Modern

political understanding of the word often suggests an illegitimate

desire to extend one’s power or authority for reasons of

self-advantage, be it national or individual. The British Empire is

often considered to be imperialistic, largely due to its heavy

reliance on mercantilist economic practices to sustain its hold

throughout the world. The protectionist ways of the empire could

arguably be seen as the definition and very nature of the empire

itself with acts like the navigation acts maintaining rigid monopolies

in areas of British Imperial rule. However in 1840’s a shift away

from mercantile policy towards free trade policies and ‘laissez-faire’

can be seen. Gestures such as the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846 and

more significantly the repeal of the Navigation Act in 1849 can be

seen as marking a new phase in the history of the British Empire. It

would seem that the very act which symbolically cemented the British

Empire’s Imperial status was now responsible for marking a phase in

its history whereby Empire and Imperialism were unpleasant terms.

This supposed shift in economic policy was by no means sudden.

Britain affection for the principles of ‘laissez-faire’ and free trade

were being slowly cultivated as early as the 1820’s. Key thinkers

like Adam Smith embraced free trade as being the foundation for which

economic and social success should be based. Empire is “a project

which has cost, which continues to cost, and which, if pursued in the

same way as it h...

... middle of paper ...

...o. 2, Aug., 1968, pp

296-306

4. R. L. Schuyler, The Fall of the Old Colonial System: A Study in

British Free Trade 1770-1870, London, 1945

5. P. D. Curtin, Imperialism, New York 1972

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[1] R. L. Schuyler in, The Fall of the Old Colonial System: A Study in

British Free Trade 1770-1870, quoting Adam Smith, p 54

[2] J. Gallagher & R. Robinson, The Imperialism of Free Trade, The

Economic History Review, Vol. 6, No. 1, 1953, p 1

[3] Ibid., p 3

[4] Ibid., p 3

[5] Ibid., p 4

[6] Gallagher & Robinson, p 4

[7] Ibid., p 4

[8] B Semmel, The Rise of Free Trade Imperialism, London, p 206

[9] P. D. Curtin, Imperialism, New York 1972, p 210

[10] Gallagher & Robinson, p 13

[11] Gallagher and Robinson, 4