Written by: Emilio Luppino
10/03/2024
The King’s Speech at the Opening of Parliament on the 5th of December 1782 explicitly recognised American independence.
Humiliation was the exact sentiment felt by many British noblemen in the following days, the start of the end of the Empire, won by those who were considered white slaves and prostitutes. The King expressed concern in a letter to Prime Minister Lord North, predicting that once America gained independence, other territories such as the West Indies and Ireland would soon follow suit. He foresaw a bleak future for Britain, remarking that the country “would be a poor island indeed”.
The remaining colonial territories were insufficient to compensate for the blow to national pride inflicted by the loss of America. By 1805, an article published in The Annual Review reflected:
“Canada, the fragment which we have contrived to save from the wreck of our great American Empire; Canada appears respectable in a map of the British territories to those who can forget the past; and it is indeed conspicuous for its lakes, and its number of square miles. But to us, this land of ice, beavers, and rattlesnakes, excites but little national interest.”
The immediate impacts of the new British policy were particularly evident in the press, witnessing a noticeable shift. Initially, there was a sense of pessimism, accompanied by the conviction that nothing would ever be the same again and that the remaining territories under British control held little value. However, this sentiment soon gave way to a wave of optimism.
Articles began to emerge, especially concerning Canada, portraying it as a veritable promised land. Suddenly, the sole remaining British territory in North America became a beacon of hope for the British Empire across the Atlantic. Government ministers were determined to do whatever it took to retain control.
British newspapers predominantly depicted British North America as a land of abundance, teeming with opportunities for prosperity. They highlighted the fertile soil, productive fisheries, flourishing fur trade, abundant ores—notably iron—and ample timber for shipyards. These publications regularly emphasized the economic and agricultural potential of the colonies, as well as their healthy development.
Furthermore, the loyalty of the inhabitants of these territories was consistently underscored. British North America was portrayed as a fertile, promising, and faithful land, where the loyal subjects of the King could enjoy all the rights and privileges of Englishmen. It was represented as a part of the national community, belonging to those who remained loyal to the Crown.
The shift in the press’s perspective did not necessarily translate into a change in colonial policy towards British North American colonies in the aftermath of the Revolution. A significant point of contention during this period revolved around differing visions for the structure of the British Empire. Lord Hawkesbury advocated for a centralised empire governed solely by the Crown of England, while Lord and Foreign Secretary Charles James Fox advocated for the concept of an Empire comprised of largely self-governing communities.
The emergence of American Independence also introduced a new challenge: addressing the treatment of colonial settlers and native peoples, along with their respective demands. European inhabitants of British colonies began to push for concessions similar to those negotiated with the American colonies in 1778.
In Canada and other colonies, the Crown faced the complex task of governing non-British peoples in a more amenable manner, while also addressing the demands of settlers of British descent who sought control and superiority in local affairs. This balancing act required delicate diplomacy and careful consideration of the rights and interests of all parties involved.
After 1783, it appears that the British were determined to avoid repeating the mistakes that led to the American Revolution, having learned valuable lessons from that bitter conflict. As a result, when colonial discontent with the imperial administration arose in the future, the British were quick to respond with concessions. They understood that failing to address grievances promptly could lead to further unrest, potentially escalating to the extreme measures taken by the American colonists.
One significant example of this shift in approach was the Canada Act of 1791. This legislation divided the province of Canada into Upper and Lower Canada, each with its own assembly and council.
This trend culminated in 1867 when Canada was granted dominion status, becoming the first colony to achieve this status within the British Empire. This development underscored the evolving relationship between the colonies and the imperial centre, characterized by greater autonomy and self-governance.
The strategy of fostering more peaceful relationships with the colonies for the purpose of exploitation manifested in various ways, one notable example being the actions of the East India Company. From the 1770s to the 1850s, the company subsidized the study of Indian culture and languages by British scholars, contributing to the development of the approach called Orientalism.
The East India Company established training colleges where sponsored scholars imparted knowledge about Indian languages and cultures to civil servants. This initiative was based on the belief that such knowledge would enhance the effectiveness of British administrators in India. Additionally, the company founded schools where Indian students were provided with similar information, reflecting an attempt to cultivate a class of intermediaries who could facilitate the company’s administrative and commercial interests in the region.
Even though it’s tough to pinpoint the exact impacts of the American Revolution on British imperial and colonial policy, it’s undeniable that it stands as a watershed moment, the moment when the British intelligentsia rolled up their sleeves and realised they could not afford to risk losing any more colonies.
Bibliography
Bolton, G. C. “The Founding of the Second British Empire.” The Economic history review 19, no. 1 (1966): 195–200.
Cone, Carl B. “The American Revolution and British Imperial Policy.” Social studies (Philadelphia, Pa: 1934) 41, no. 4 (1950): 161–166.
Dickinson, H. T. Britain and the American Revolution / Edited by H.T. Dickinson. London; Routledge, 2014.
Mackay, D. L. “Direction and Purpose in British Imperial Policy, 1783–1801.” The Historical journal 17, no. 3 (1974): 487–501.
Thiessen, Jacob Gregg. “Orientalism and the East India Company, 1773-1858.” ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 1992.
Feature Image Credit: The Declaration of Independence ( American History), Stories from History. https://storiesfromhistory.com/the-declaration-of-independence-american-history/
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