10. role and influence of individuals 1890-1914 Flashcards
1
Q
overview of Chamberlain
A
- the most committed Colonial Secretary of the Victorian era
- acknowledged Britain’s relative decline in the industrial and military spheres towards the end of the century
- believed effective use of the empire could sustain British prosperity and prestige
- advocated investment in underdeveloped possessions, especially Africa and the West Indies
2
Q
Chamberlain’s background
A
-opposed Gladstone’s proposal for Irish Home Rule
- initiated the Uganda Railway
- sanctioned the conquest and annexation of Ashantiland into the Gold Coast
- supervised the acquisition of the territories of the Royal Niger Company
3
Q
Chamberlain’s ambitions
A
- wanted to create a ‘United States of Empire’ and spread British rule
- proposed a Imperial defence and customs union system for Empire but this was rejected as it only involved the self-governing colonies
4
Q
Chamberlain and the Boer War
A
- supported British involvement in the war against the Boer Republics in South Africa to secure British dominance
- viewed as a national hero when it began, viewing it as a necessary defence of British power
- as the war dragged on and British forces used concentration camps, criticism grew
- raised concerns about British military strength as early defeats exposed weaknesses in recruitment and training
- public enthusiasm for empire had been weakened and debates about the costs and morality of imperialism grew
5
Q
Chamberlain and the Tariff reform programme
A
- advocated for “Imperial Preference”
- protective tariffs that would economically unite the Empire
- Britain and its empire would trade freely among themselves but impose tariffs on goods from outside
- meant to make the empire more self-sufficient and reduce reliance on foreign competition
- would give the colonies imperial preference and access to a duty free British market
- opposed by many, leading to divisions within the Conservative Party
6
Q
Chamberlain’s beliefs for the Empire
A
- strongly believed in strengthening ties between Britain and its colonies, especially the Dominions
-advocated for an Imperial Federation, where Britain and the dominions would work more closely together politically and economically - viewed the empire as a civilising mission, bringing economic development to less developed regions
7
Q
promotion of imperial pride- Chamberlain
A
- portraying it as a source of national strength and moral duty.
- emphasised Britain’s civilising mission in speeches, arguing the empire improved the lives of colonial subjects through trade, infrastructure and governance
- popularised the idea of a ‘Greater Britain’, where the empire was a powerful unified force in global affairs
- his views contributed to imperial nationalism where many began to see empire as central to their identity
- public support evidenced in events like Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee which celebrated Britain’s global dominance
8
Q
the Tariff Reform League- Chamberlain
A
- organised the distribution of large numbers of leaflets
- played his recorded messages to public meetings
- he was convinced favourable trade between Britain and the colonies would benefit Britain and reduce unemployment
9
Q
Chamberlain’s limitations
A
- in the 1906 election, he failed to convince the public who feared rises in the cost of living
- failed to achieve Imperial Federation as colonies valued their autonomy and rejected the idea of a formal federation with Britain
10
Q
Rhodes’ background
A
- risen from the rank of trader to secure the prime ministership of Cape Colony in 1890
- by 1891, he owned all the diamond mines in South Africa
11
Q
Rhode’s beliefs
A
- driven by a conviction that British civilisation and control were key to the betterment of the world
- hoped to establish British rule from the north to the south of Africa, linking the Cape to Sudan and Egypt
- believed the empire as a source of wealth, through mining and resource extraction and so expansion would provide economic benefits
- His De Beers diamond company (founded in 1888) dominated the global diamond trade, reinforcing British economic power in Africa
12
Q
how Rhodes influenced public attitudes
A
- using his fortune, political power and control of Cape newspapers, he impressed audiences of the right and duty of the British to dominate Africa and beyond
- used his funds to promote the Empire
- the public viewed him as a hero of empire, with newspapers praising his achievements
- his speeches glorified British rule
- Helped justify imperial expansion by linking it to Britain’s supposed superiority and mission to “uplift” other nations
13
Q
Rhodes’ actions
A
- sent settlers to establish Fort Salisbury in 1890, opening up territories that were to be known as the Rhodesias in his honour
14
Q
Rhodes and the Boers
A
- one of his projects to outflank the Boer republic and the Germans in the rush to central Africa was the railway line through Bechuanaland
- intended the railway to continue along the mountain system, hoping it would reach the Nile and ensure British domination of all east-central Africa
- this was blocked by German occupation of East Africa from 1891 and never completed and his vision was unfulfilled
15
Q
limitations of Rhodes
A
-the Jameson raid damaged his reputation, showing that his aggressive imperialism could backfire and led to his resignation
16
Q
Rhodes and the creation of Rhodesia
A
- expanded British control into Rhodesia
- achieved this through treaties with local African rulers often misleading them about British intentions
- military force such as the Matabele Wars, where British forces and settlers violently suppressed African resistance
- Encouraging British settlers to take over land and resources, pushing African communities into controlled reserves
17
Q
Viceroy Curzon’s beliefs about the Empire
A
- believed in British superiority and the moral duty to rule India
- saw British rule as benevolent, bringing order, efficiency and modernisation
- believed in direct governance, dismissing Indian nationalist demands
- took pride in representing Britain and its imperial mission
18
Q
Curzon’s actions in the Empire
A
- reformed Indian administration, improving efficiency in railways, irrigation and policing
- partition of Bengal intended to improve governance but sparked nationalist protests
- strengthened British military presence in India, fearing Russian expansion in Asia
- created the North-West Frontier Province in 1901 and dispatched a military expedition into Tibet
19
Q
impact of Curzon on public attitudes
A
- promoted idea that British rule was essential for India’s progress
- made India seem like a profitable and stable colony, justifying continued imperial control
- the backlash of the partition of Bengal alarmed some, showing the risks of excessive control
20
Q
limitations of Curzon
A
- underestimated Indian nationalism such as the Swadeshi movement which showed growing anti-British sentiment
- wary of giving Indians too much responsibility and had a low opinion of their ability
- his repressive style alienated Indian elites
- forced to resign in 1905 due to tensions with the British government over military funding
21
Q
Curzon’s actions in India
A
- established legislation to improve administration and agriculture
-made provision for famine relief and irrigation projects - oversaw the re-arming of native regiments, expansion of the provincial police, promotion of scientific and medical education
- oversaw the construction of a further 6000 miles of railway track
- founded the Imperial Cadet Corps to give Indian nobles a military role and the prospect of officer commissions
22
Q
Baring’s beliefs about the Empire
A
- believed Egyptians were incapable of self-rule
- was Consul-General of Egypt 1883-1907
- saw British control as necessary for economic stability and modernisation
- advocated for minimal Egyptian political participation, prioritising British economic interests
- viewed himself as a moral reformer
23
Q
Baring and Egypt
A
- established a new guiding principle of the Granville Doctrine
- allowed him to dismiss Egyptian ministers who refused to accept British directives
- placed British officials in key ministries and created the veiled protectorate and so effectively controlled Egypt until 1907
- viewed the Egyptian army as untrustworthy due to previous mutinies against the Khedive and so disbanded it and organised a new army
24
Q
Baring’s actions within Egypt
A
- promoted irrigation projects and helped to bring economic prosperity
- believed Britsh control would have to end at some point but only after the people had learned proper self-governance
- stopped the slave supply into Egypt and discouraged slave ownership
- abolished forced labour
- outlawed punishment by use of the karbush
- halted the import of hashish by establishing a Camel Corps to patrol the borders
25
Q
limitations of Baring
A
- forced to resign after the controversy following the flogging and hanging of locals at Denshawai in 1906
- controlled Egyptian finances but prioritised debt repayment to European lenders over local development
- expanded British administration, reducing the power of local rulers
- opposed education reforms, fearing those educated would demand more rights
26
Q
how Baring influenced public attitudes
A
- published books on ‘Modern Egypt’ in 1908
- strengthened belief in British economic expertise and stability in Egypt
- some, especially liberals criticised his autocratic rule and lack of Egyptian political rights
27
Q
Milner’s background
A
- High Commissioner for South Africa 1897-1905
- served in Egypt and as chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue
28
Q
Milner’s beliefs about the Empire
A
- was an ardent imperialist, believing in dominance over South Africa
- convinced of British superiority over Africans and Boers, as well as the need for British regional supremacy
29
Q
Milner’s actions in the Empire
A
- founded a series of English-speaking ‘Milner schools’ in Pretoria
- took Britain into the Boer War
- demanded full citizenship rights for the Uitlanders after 5 years of residence, using force to achieve this
- took over administration of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal in 1901
- negotiated the Peace of Vereeniging
30
Q
Milner and the Boers
A
- implemented concentration camps during the war
- he and other administrators and lawyers, known as ‘Milner’s Kindergarten’ worked to resettle the Boers and promote economic growth, particularly in the gold-mining industry
- hoped to attract British settlers and introduced a vigorous English language education programme
31
Q
attitudes to Milner
A
- in 1906, there was a move to censure him but this backfired and produced a counter-campaign led by Frere, which expressed high appreciation of the services he undertook in Africa
32
Q
impact of Milner on public attitudes
A
- strengthened pro-imperialist sentiment, portraying Britain as defending its settlers
- eventual British victory made the war seem like an imperial success
- reports of the concentration camps horrified the public, leading to criticism of British policies
33
Q
limitations of Milner
A
- underestimated Boer resistance, leading to a costly and prolonged war
- his harsh policies made it harder to integrate Boers into British South Africa, increasing divisions
