Introduction

This course, Dundee, jute and empire, focuses on the economics of empire, and, in particular, of the British empire in the second half of the nineteenth century. It starts by introducing some of the debates surrounding the economics of British imperialism. It then goes on to explore how empire and imperial trade shaped economic structures and urban society in late nineteenth-century Britain.

To complete this course fully, you will need to buy Rachel C. Gibbons (ed.) (2006) Exploring History 1400–1900. An Anthology of Primary Sources, Manchester, Manchester University Press. However, the activities relating to this book are optional. This course provides a sample of level 2 study in History.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

• Understand some of the debates surrounding the economics of British imperialism
• Describe how empire and trade shaped economic structures and urban society in late nineteenth-century Britain
• Give examples of how Dundee’s jute trade was influenced by British imperialism.