vonmustache's review
4.0
Why and how was there a massive expansion of British Imperial power in the Eastern hemisphere following the end of the American War? Two primary reasons: the commercialisation and capitalist growth of the old Muslim empires (Mughal, Safavid, Ottoman, and others) put pressure on those imperial states at precisely the time that Europeans were beginning to trade there. Instability encouraged the European trading nations to take greater control to maintain revenues, and to ally with the rising capitalist classes in these states against traditional political leaders.
The other reason was internal to Britain: the emergence of agrarian patriotism, which saw in agriculture a way of Britain improving the world. This doctrine was wrapped up in notions of British supremacy, and was crucial to giving the second empire its paternalistic, oppressive, autocratic character.
Short but incredibly dense. Lots and lots of information, so slightly difficult to follow everything Bayly discusses.
The other reason was internal to Britain: the emergence of agrarian patriotism, which saw in agriculture a way of Britain improving the world. This doctrine was wrapped up in notions of British supremacy, and was crucial to giving the second empire its paternalistic, oppressive, autocratic character.
Short but incredibly dense. Lots and lots of information, so slightly difficult to follow everything Bayly discusses.
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