Joseph Chamberlain

Colonial Secretary

Salisbury's Colonial Secretary
Defected from the Liberals over Home Rule for Ireland in 1886
Chamberlain's vision = responsible for the fashion of Imperialism
Believed that the way to overcome Britain's economic problems was to build up existing colonies and expand into new territory
Increasing trade opportunities = more jobs and less unemployment
Chamberlain encouraged joint-stock companies to invest in underdeveloped areas of empire
Organised government loans to finance irrigation projects and railways
Organised a Colonial Conference in 1897
Expressed his desire to establish an empire customs union
This was not a success but many of his other policies were
In tune with public opinion of the day
Inspired a sense of British pride and confidence in their empire
Salisbury allowed Chamberlain considerable freedom with Imperial issues
He oversaw the final conquest of the Sudan in 1898, the expansion in China and the involvement of Britain in the Boer War from 1899 to 1902

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