Paper 3, Option 35.1: Britain: losing and gaining an empire, 1763–1914 - 1 The changing nature and extent of trade — Edexcel A-Level History
Verified courseTeaching note checked against the official specification.
Paper 3, Option 35.1: Britain: losing and gaining an empire, 1763–1914 - 1 The changing nature and extent of trade explained
Paper 3, Option 35.1: Britain: losing and gaining an empire, 1763–1914 - 1 The changing nature and extent of trade covers 2 specification points, including The abolition of the slave trade 1807, the… and The acquisition of Singapore 1819 and Hong….
Read the full explanation
Open a point below for its explanation and revision guidance.
Reasons for, and nature of, the changing patterns of trade, 1763-1914, including the slave trade, trade in coal and textiles, new trading patterns with the Americas, India and the Far East, the impact of industrialisation on trade and the importance of government policy (key developments: the abolition of the slave trade 1807, the adoption of free trade 1842–46, the repeal of the Navigation Acts 1849).
Between 1763 and 1914 Britain's trade shifted from protected Atlantic commerce to global free trade. In 1763 the slave trade and colonial monopolies dominated; by 1914 industrial exports and food imports defined the pattern. The slave trade declined after abolition in 1807, replaced by trade in coal, textiles and other manufactures. Industrialisation increased demand for raw materials and created surplus goods for export, while new markets opened in the Americas, India and the Far East. Government policy changed from protection to free trade through the 1842–46 reforms and the repeal of the Navigation Acts in 1849, which removed restrictions on shipping. These changes altered the reasons for trade, its nature and its direction, making Britain the world's leading trading nation.
The changing importance of ports, entrepôts and trade routes within the UK and throughout the Empire, 1763-1914 (key developments: the acquisition of Singapore 1819 and Hong Kong 1842, the opening up of Shanghai to trade 1842, the purchase of the Suez Canal shares 1875, the acquisition of Zanzibar 1890, the lease of Wei hai-wei 1898).
Between 1763 and 1914, the importance of ports, entrepôts and trade routes shifted as Britain expanded its empire. In the UK, London, Liverpool and Glasgow grew as ports handling imperial trade. Entrepôts such as Singapore (acquired 1819) and Hong Kong (acquired 1842) became vital for re-exporting goods in Asia. The opening of Shanghai to trade in 1842 gave Britain access to Chinese markets. The purchase of Suez Canal shares in 1875 secured a shorter route to India and the Far East. The acquisition of Zanzibar in 1890 and the lease of Wei hai-wei in 1898 extended British strategic influence and control over trade routes. These developments changed the geography of trade, linking the UK to global networks.
Your focus
- Explain the reasons for changing patterns of trade between 1763 and 1914.
- Describe the nature of the slave trade, coal and textile trades, and new trading patterns with the Americas, India and the Far East.
- Evaluate the impact of industrialisation and government policy on trade, including the key developments of 1807, 1842–46 and 1849.
Show all 6 objectives
- Explain the changing importance of ports, entrepôts and trade routes within the UK and throughout the Empire between 1763 and 1914.
- Describe the key developments: acquisition of Singapore (1819), Hong Kong (1842), opening of Shanghai (1842), purchase of Suez Canal shares (1875), acquisition of Zanzibar (1890), lease of Wei hai-wei (1898).
- Assess how these developments altered trade routes and the significance of specific ports and entrepôts.
Paper 3, Option 35.1: Britain: losing and gaining an empire, 1763–1914 - 1 The changing nature and extent of trade exam tips
Marking Points
- Explains reasons for changing trade patterns: industrial demand for raw materials, surplus manufactures for export, and the search for new markets.
- Describes the nature of the slave trade and its decline after abolition in 1807, including its replacement by other commodities.
- Analyses the growth of coal and textile trades as key exports during industrialisation.
- Explains new trading patterns with the Americas, India and the Far East, including the exchange of manufactured goods for raw materials and food.
- Assesses the impact of industrialisation on trade: increased production, transport improvements and urban demand.
- Evaluates the importance of government policy: adoption of free trade 1842–46 and repeal of the Navigation Acts 1849 in removing barriers.
- Explains the changing importance of UK ports such as London, Liverpool and Glasgow in handling imperial trade.
- Describes the role of entrepôts like Singapore (1819) and Hong Kong (1842) in re-exporting goods and facilitating free trade.
- Analyses the significance of the opening of Shanghai to trade in 1842 for British access to Chinese markets.
- Assesses the impact of the purchase of Suez Canal shares in 1875 on trade routes to India and the Far East.
- Evaluates the acquisition of Zanzibar in 1890 and the lease of Wei hai-wei in 1898 in extending British trade influence.
- Explains how these developments changed trade routes within the UK and throughout the Empire.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Use specific key developments (1807, 1842–46, 1849) to anchor your argument about changing government policy.
- 💡Link each trade pattern to a reason, such as industrial demand or government action, to show causation.
- 💡Compare the nature of trade in 1763 with 1914 to highlight change over time.
- 💡Use the key developments as evidence to show how ports and routes changed in importance over time.
- 💡Link each port or entrepôt to its specific role in trade, such as re-exporting or securing routes.
Common Mistakes
- Error: treating the abolition of the slave trade in 1807 as the immediate end of slavery itself. Correction: the 1807 Act abolished the British slave trade, but slavery in British colonies continued until emancipation in 1833.
- Error: assuming free trade was adopted in a single year. Correction: the adoption of free trade occurred through a series of measures between 1842 and 1846, including the 1842 tariff reductions and the 1846 repeal of the Corn Laws.
- Error: claiming the Navigation Acts were repealed before 1849. Correction: the Navigation Acts were repealed in 1849, removing restrictions on foreign shipping and further opening trade.
- Assuming Singapore was acquired by military conquest; correct by noting Stamford Raffles acquired it through a treaty with local rulers in 1819 to establish a trading post.
- Confusing the acquisition of Hong Kong Island in 1842 with the later lease of the New Territories; correct by specifying Hong Kong Island was ceded in 1842 under the Treaty of Nanking.
- Claiming the Suez Canal shares were purchased in 1875 by the British government alone; correct by noting the British government purchased the Khedive's shares, but the canal was jointly owned with French investors.