What were the major economic dependencies and trade relationships during the British Empire?

What were the major economic dependencies and trade relationships during the British Empire?

During the British Empire, the major economic dependencies and trade relationships were primarily centered around the colonies and territories under British control. The empire relied heavily on the exploitation of natural resources, such as cotton, tea, rubber, and minerals, from its colonies. These resources were then exported back to Britain, where they were processed and manufactured into finished goods.

The empire also established a system of trade relationships known as the "imperial preference," which aimed to promote trade between Britain and its colonies by imposing lower tariffs on goods exchanged within the empire compared to those from outside. This system helped to maintain a steady flow of goods and resources between Britain and its colonies, ensuring economic prosperity for the empire.

Additionally, the British Empire played a significant role in the global slave trade, particularly during the 18th and early 19th centuries. Slavery was a major economic dependency for the empire, with enslaved Africans being forcibly transported to British colonies in the Americas to work on plantations producing cash crops like sugar, tobacco, and indigo.

Overall, the major economic dependencies and trade relationships during the British Empire revolved around the exploitation of resources from colonies, the establishment of the imperial preference system, and the involvement in the slave trade.