Considered in the setting of global - or simply international - history, British gentlemanly imperialism was only one among many, not always 'gentlemanly' forms of imperialism.1

Taking as an example informal imperialism in China before the First World War, this chapter will focus on the interaction of various 'imperialisms', aligned at times nationally, at other times sectorally, and on the concepts that underlie these vari­ous forms of imperial expansion.² Gentlemanly capitalism could have a perceptible and distinctive effect at the 'point of imperial impact' only if specific factors in the international and peripheral environment were aligned in a certain way. The circumstances under which gentlemanly capitalism could 'filter through' to overseas territories that were not under British rule were very specific and, as will be seen, short-lived.³