The Coming of Free Trade and ‘Free Trade Imperialism’ after 1815

Abstract

ONE very pertinent criticism of Gallagher and Robinson is that they assume too readily the existence of a free trade policy in Britain as early as 1815. In fact, free trade won a very slow victory in Britain and was not generally accepted before the 184os. In 1815, then, there is much to be said for Platt’s picture of a self-sufficient Britain meeting her trading needs mainly through contacts with her existing empire and traditional trading partners in the USA and Europe. Platt, however, does not appreciate the extent to which this traditional system began to break down in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars.