User:Eljohnn/Building British Identity Through Trade

Building British Identity Through Trade-The East India Company
At the core of every great nation or empire are the institutional engines that drive the nation to positions of significance and formidable power. The British East India Company of the seventeenth century and beyond is significant in its contribution to shaping the identity of the British Empire. The primary thrust of this article is to highlight some of the ways in which the company helped to shape British distinctiveness.

Its Origin and Constitutionality
The British East India Company grew out of a desire for trade and wealth. A group of traders from their headquarters in London came together to conduct trade to the East Indies and the Asian continent. Between 1591 and 1598 there were several disastrous expeditions to the East in which many lives, ships and resources were lost at sea. The lost did not deter traders who were determined to make a fortune in the east and as they returned to their headquarters, they became more resolute in their endeavors. Through their efforts and determination, substantial amounts of monies and resources were raised and the merchants soon set eyes towards the East once more. The British East India Company was regulated on December 31, 1600 by Royal Charter under Queen Elisabeth. The charter granted monopolistic rights to the company of Merchants of London trading with the East Indies. By granting the company monopoly designation, this gave the company a strong sense of endorsement from the monarch. Thus, the beginning of trade to the East started an era in British history that carved an identity for Britain as one of the most significant trading nations in the world.

Establishing a Foothold in Trade
Trading consisted of domestic and foreign trade. Papillon made the assertion that,"Trade may be distinguished into foreign and Domestic; the latter would be very inconsiderable, but in subservience to the former.Trade confined among ourselves, procures very little to advantage to the Kingdom...It is foreign trade that is the great concern of the Kingdom; without Foreign trade all of the most part of those studies that render persons so renowned would be of little significance to the Public" In essence, domestic trade was viewed as important, but of far greater importance was foreign trade which was seen as important to "rendered the Kingdom renowned" or give the kingdom among the and name and reputation. Undoubtedly, the company helped to shape British identity as Britain was renown for its trading powers among Dutch, French, Portuguese and all over the globe. At first, merchants traded in spices as their primary commodity, but later added other profitable goods such as; dye, cotton, indigo, tea and silk. As they move from port to port, British merchants began to set up trading posts along the coast lines. In reference to the establishment of these posts, Pollexfen asserts that, "Wherever a place is convenient for trade with good harbours, these free ports or freedom of trade without limitations offered a place where goods were exchanged in abundance for large sums of money" (Pollexfen, 7). In spite of the exceptional organization of the British traders, the Dutch traders however, had already established a foothold in trade. As trade expands, the company of British merchants and aristocrats consolidated their position in trade and establish an expansive trade that spans several continents. The strong establishments and the web of trade that ensued between cities and merchants helped to establish the British Empire as the world's leading trader in many commodities. From Calcutta, to Bengali to Bangladesh, trade flourished. Pollexfen also indicated that goods that were not traded at the port where trading was conducted were left by merchants to the natives, who themselves were becoming traders.In doing so, the company did not worry about spoilage, until the age of industrialization began to dawn and factories were emerging in the various settlements.

Economic impact
Trade profoundly changed the economic status of Britain in the nineteenth century and beyond. The company's liaison with domestic merchants and manufacturers ensured its link to t he wider British economy. Hence, the financial rewards from trade filters through to the many areas of British industry. Bowen suggests that the "enormous expansion of the company abroad meant considerable increase in wealthy investors and employees who gained income from the company's commercial expansion in Asia" (Bowen, 261). He further highlighted that the "merchants, ship owners and contractors who supplied the company in Britain derived considerable benefits" and "The benefits from trade and the empire were evident in the economic prosperity felt by manufacturers, ship builders, shopkeepers, farmers and labourers in different parts of the country"(Bowen, 261). Perhaps one of the greatest phenomena to develop in part by trade is industrialism. The Industrial Revolution, a period of great industry and technological advancement; created a great economic shift where industrial-skilled and unskilled workers were migrating to industrial towns and urban cities to find jobs. Soon some of these cities and towns became urban slums from overpopulation and poor conditions. The Victorian Era of 1837 to 1901 experienced a significant shift in this movement. The prosperity that grew out of Colonization and trade from previous eras, to which the East India Company contributed significantly, flourished in the Victorian era.

In a British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC)article,entitled:British History In depth by Paul Atterbury, reported that, "Between 1809 and 1839 exports grew from £25.4 to £76 million. Ten years later the figure was £124.5 million, with the major export markets being Europe, India and Asia and, increasingly, the United States. At the start of Queen Victoria's reign, Britain's standing as a global industrial and trading power was already unrivalled." Atterbury went on to say that, "In many ways, the Victorians owe their unique place in history to their imaginative and successful exploitation of three new communication technologies, the steamship, the railway and the electric telegraph."

The foot prints of British trade were implanted everywhere. It is evident from the foregoing discussions trade was prominent in developing Britain's economic dominance. Even more significantly, the East India Company's trade had global impact on foreign markets and economies as well as domestic.The resulting benefits were that people began to move from lower class structure into middle class status, as a result of trade, industrial and technological development.

Social impact
The industrial movement sent waves of social changes that shaped the British social landscape of the early eighteen century and beyond. The migration of people from the great industrial boom lead to overcrowding in cities which lead to squalor-like conditions. Working conditions were deplorable and the workers voices were beginning to take center stage as they were able to voice their opinion of working conditions through labour unions who were organize to take on the plight of the lower class. Other social changes in this period are notable, such as the role of women and challenges to religion. The lower class women were being heard through writing from poets and novelists as these forms of communications became more open to providing platforms. Darwin's theory of evolution stirred debates about ways of thinking which lead to religious challenges. The Victorian period emphasized the aesthetics and focused on visual sense as the esteem sense that reveals truth. Hence, many poets novelist and painters emphasized the arts through illustration and extravagant paintings.

The Edwardian period of 1901 to 1910 benefited greatly from The East India Company Trade. This period of nostalgia, fashion and leisure was a time of "solidifying the power of the ruling elite." The renowned materialistic Edwardian era in which the aristocrats flourished can be traced to the financial gains from trade.

Military impact
The company that started as a body commercial traders morphs into military financiers and agents of Colonialism and Imperialism. According to Roberts, "Contemporary Britons frequently used the term "revolutions" in describing the East India Company's rise to militarily and political pre-eminence in eastern India"(Roberts, 31) The company's wealth were used to acquire and rule over other territories which in a way was revolutionary. In 1819, Singapore was purchased by Sir Stanford Raffles from the Sultan of Johar and the country became a strategic port of trade for the company (Gartner, 67). Bombay and Bengal were also under the company's rule. By acquiring and ruling over the territories it conquered, the company became agents of the British Crown. According to Roberts, "Academic histories of this period of revolutions have been mainly structured around explanations of British "expansion" and "imperialism." (Roberts, 31). The company also maintained its own trained soldiers in the areas of its conquest. The army in these areas help to guard against trade, as well as cementing strong hold on Britain interest in the territories. Its territorial dominance and control instigated many wars and lead to revolts in places like India and the United States, against the company. From the militarily actions of the company in territories that were subjugated, it is clear that the company played a significant role in shaping British military identity.

The Company's legacy
The legacies of the The East India Company are many. From its early inception at the turn beginning of the seventeen it has carved out established a trading system envied by many. The benefits and effects of this mercantile system are still felt throughout the world. From its sophisticated trade system,Britain became a stronger nation both militarily and economically. The tremendous wealth that flowed from trade improved Britain's image at home and abroad. At home, the Industrial Revolution emerged creating an infusion of wealth, industry and technological advancements. Through trade, the company helped to secure territories and build strong fighting forces to protect its interest and create a name for Britain. Britain became a great and wealthy nation with the profound contributions of the East India Company, which has changed the British landscape forever.