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What was imperial about free trade? Like many terms used with the study of empire, the term Imperialism is considerably loaded, with many negative connotations. Modern political understanding of the word often suggests an illegitimate desire to extend one's power or authority for reasons of self-advantage, be it national or individual. The British Empire is often considered to be imperialistic, largely due to its heavy reliance on mercantilist economic practices to sustain its hold throughout the world. The protectionist ways of the empire could arguably be seen as the definition and very nature of the empire itself with acts like the navigation acts maintaining rigid monopolies in areas of British Imperial rule. However in 1840's a shift away from mercantile policy towards free trade policies and 'laissez-faire' can be seen. Gestures such as the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846 and more significantly the repeal of the Navigation Act in...

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