1. The Development Of Imperialism c1857-c1890 - Attitudes Towards Imperialism In Britain Flashcards
Until the 1840s how did Britain associate the term ‘imperialism’?
They associated it with napoleonic France rather than their own colonial possessions and despite all of the regions/countries they had colonised, Britain viewed themselves as not imperialistic
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
When did Benjamin Disraeli become prime minster?
1868 and then served again in 1874 and 1880
When was Gladstone elected as prime minister?
In 1832, Gladstone was elected to parliament and in 1868 led a newly formed liberal party
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
What conflict came between the British government?
Disraeli and the conservatives, Gladstone and the liberals
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
Why did attitudes towards Empire produce great party rivalry in the 1870s?
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 Disraeli’s government face?
- due to Russian aspirations of Afghanistan and fears of incursion of Afghan Tribes, Lord Lytton, who served as viceroy of India from 1876-89 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
What was the impact of the setbacks Disraeli faced?
It contributed to their defeat in April 1880s General election
Why was Gladstone forced to adopt conservative policies of adventurism?
The Transvaal Boers mobilised to throw off British control and declared their independence in December 1880. The Boers’ civilian militia besieged British garrisons across the Transvaal which started the Anglo-Boer war of 1880
