Almost all imperial history has been written on the assumption that the empire of formal dominion is historically comprehensible in itself and can be cut out of its context in British expansion and world politics. Great Britain during the nineteenth century expanded overseas by means of informal empire as much as it did by formal control, however, and the hypothesis that is needed to reconcile the contradictions inherent in viewing empire through the lens of force is one that recognizes the fact that British industrialization cause an ever-extending and intensifying development of overseas regions. These regions, rather than being governed by representatives of the British government, were allowed the illusion of self-determination so long as their policies and interests aligned with those of Britain. It was the willingness of the British to limit the use of power to the establishment of free trade that most contrasted the nineteenth century British imperialism with their previous mercantilist policies. Under the auspices of free trade political possession of lands abroad was not needed, and a large part of Britain’s success during this time was recognizing this fact and adjusting their international politics accordingly.
