1. The Development Of Imperialism c1857-c1890 - Attitudes Towards Imperialism In Britain Flashcards
How did William Gladstone and Benjamin Disraeli view British imperialism?
In 1852, Disreli asserted that the colonies will all be independent in a few years and that they were a ‘mill-stone around our necks’ however Gladstone said that Britain were going to abstain from any territorial acquisitions and from contracting new obligations
How did governments in the early 19th century resist calls to secure new territories?
- they withheld charters from commercial colonising companies which they felt weren’t viable
- in 1865, a parliamentary select committee recommended withdrawal from Britains west African settlements because of the cost
Why did government attitudes towards resistance change?
In the 1870s, there was a strategic rivalry with other European powers as well as economic competition, in which European and American tariffs made it difficult to export British goods. This drove national prestige
In the 1870s, what were Disraeli’s views?
He presented the perspective that the conservatives were the ‘party of empire’ and said that the liberals would allow the empire to crumble in his Crystal Palace speech 1872
What was the impact of Disraeli’s new enthusiasm for Empire?
It was a way of winning support from the electorate and playing this ‘imperialist card’ seemed to work when they gained electoral victory in 1874. It also further influenced disreli’s successor Lord Salisbury
What was Gladstone’s view towards Empire?
According to Gladstone, Britain needed to avoid new acquisitions and concentrate on developing existing colonies, helping them towards self-government. He therefore opposed ‘imperialism’ but supported ‘empire’
What did liberals accuse Disraeli’s view as?
Jingoism
How did Benjamin Disraeli live up to his Imperialst stance?
- he bought £4mn in shares of the Suez Canal in 1875
- in the late 19th Century, he steered the royal titles act through the HOC in order to bestow the title ‘empress of India’ on Queen Victoria in 1877
- Disraeli and his Viceroy wanted to expand the Raj by turning Afghanistan into a client state
- similarly to Afghanistan, In South Africa, he annexed the Boer Republic of the Transvaal in 1877 and launched war on the Zulus and Pedis to establish British confederation
What setbacks did empire face under Disraeli’s government?
- due to Russian aspirations of Afghanistan and fears of incursion of Afghan Tribes, Lord Lytton, launched an attack of Afghanistan in November 1878 which led to over 10000 British losses
- the initial invasion of zululand was a failure as British troops were humiliated at Isandlwana in January 1879 in hope of establishing British confederation in S.Africa
What was the impact of the setbacks Disraeli faced?
It contributed to their defeat in April 1880s General election
How did Gladstone oppose imperialism?
- after the defeat at Mujuba hill 1881, Gladstone declined to commit further troops, time or money to uphold Disraeli’s ambition for British hegemony over South Africa
- during the Mahdist rebellion in Sudan 1884, Gladstone urged the withdrawal of Anglo Egyptian troops and said the Sudanese are rightly struggling to be free
- after Tswana rulers were left in charge of British bechuanaland, it was clear he was reluctant to take on further management or the costs associated with empire
- he introduced a home rule bill for Ireland
How did Gladstone veer away from his principles at times?
- he became embroiled in Egypt for the sake of a safe passage to India and also as a result of public pressure - Arabi Pasha’s uprising 1881 threatened the security of the canal, European lives and British investments in Egypt
- the Berlin conference 1884-85 started formal land grabbing across Africa which resulted in the conversion of Somali land and Beauchuanaland into British protectorates
Why were attitudes towards empire from the British public positive?
They was fired public imagination through reporting popular press of stories of heroism such as tales of recapturing Cawnpore and Lucknow in 1857. Comic books for the younger generation were made to show tales of adventures i.e the boy’s own paper in 1879 which showed soldiers bravery
How were the British Pulbic’s attitudes negatively influenced?
the reporting of the Indian rebellion and the stories of massacres and tortures at Cawnpore
What is jingoism?
a political perspective that advocates the use of threats or military force in foreign relations, as opposed to finding a peaceful or diplomatic solution.
How was Benjamin Disraeli jingoistic?
- the Suez Canal purchase as it enhanced imperial control and signalled his commitment to maintaining British dominance in world affairs
- the Anglo-Zulu war in 1879 as although he didn’t initiate the war, his imperialistic approach sparked tensions that led to it. The war’s aftermath was marked by a massacre at Isandlwana and eventual British victory
What was the Irish Home Rule bill?
It promoted the idea of a separate Irish legislature to decide upon domestic affairs however it failed to be passed through parliament in 1886 and 1893
What did Colonel Baden-Powell do?
Participated in the invasion of Ndebele and founded the scout movement which urged people to lead Christian lives
How was it said that empire could help ‘civilise’ people?
By bringing them away from their ‘heathen’, ‘savage’ existence
