11-Attitudes Towards Imperialism In Britain Flashcards
What did many people in Britain believe empire was doing
They liked empire and believed they were civilising and freeing the colonies of local oppression.Many believed it was a burden placed on them by God
What was the ‘Khaki Election’
This was the 1900 election called by the government in order to exploit public approval.It was called the ‘khaki’ election after the uniforms worn in the Boer war
What did the liberals aim for in empire
They aimed for education and improvement of the colonies and their people with the objective of eventual self-rule
What did the conservatives aim for in empire
Good government and ‘white rule’ for its own sake
Where did most of the real ‘imperialists’ who were enthusiasts for empire come from
The Conservative Party/right wing.These included people such as the supporters of Lord Salisbury who argued in favour of the creation of a stronger and more closely united empire.This included territorial expansion and support for schemes that would bind empire in trade and government
What did Joseph chamberlain believe about empire
He was a high imperialist and believed there was a ‘national crisis’ that only the empire could save.A well organised empire could enable industrial recovery and provide employment.
What was the pooling of sovereignty that chamberlain wanted
Shared authority,so that Britain no longer had supreme power over empire
What was the royal colonial institute
A meeting place for imperial activists to meet and discuss colonial and Indian affairs
What is the Victoria league and when was it founded
Founded in 1901,Its a non political organisation founded by women to promote a closer union between different parts of the empire through ‘hospitality,fundraising,friendship and education
What was the ‘Round Table Movement’
A movement founded in 1909 on an idea of Lord Milner to promote a closer union between Britain and its self governing bodies.In 1910 and 1911 round table groups were founded in South Africa,Australia,New Zealand and Canada
What was the Empire Day movement
It was the idea of a day of festivities in order to celebrate empire and reinforce imperial identity
Who was one of the strongest critics of empire
John A Hobson
Who was John A Hobson and what did he do
An economist who wrote ‘Imperialism’ in 1902.His view was that imperial expansion had been driven by a search for new markets and new opportunities for the rich capitalists of Britain.He believed there was a small cabal of Jewish financiers and they shaped imperial policy.He believed imperial expansion was a ‘capitalist plot’
When did more critics of empire emerge
After the Second Anglo-Boer war.The concentration camps and reports from Hobhouse helped tarnish the allure of imperialism and its supposed civilising mission
What are some lesser known figures to challenge the imperialist ideal
Wilfred Scawen Blunt
Herbert Spencer
Frederic Harrison
William Digby
Walter Crane
Was the critics of empire heard over the support
Not usually.Despite liberals being in office from 1906-1914.Imperialism declined as a political topic.Liberals preferred to dissociate from colonial conflict and the excessive imperialism of the right wing
What else was exposed in the second Boer war other than the horrors of the concentration camps
A concern for National Efficiency
What are some examples of the poor national efficiency in the UK
Up to 40% of Millitary recruits had been tested and found ‘unfit’ for service
In Manchester 8000 out of 11,000 would be volunteers were turned away
What were some measures taken to improve national efficiency
1902 education act-Opened 1000 secondary schools over next decade
Modernisation of the Royal Navy-Committed to new ship,Dreadnought
Imperial college-New centre of technological,medical and scientific excellence
Liberal Reforms-Free school meals,School Medical inspections,Children’s welfare charter,old age pensions,trade boards act,health insurance
Why did popular press help support for empire
There was a new form of cheap populist newspaper with the Daily Mail.It was sold at low prices so as to be aimed at the lower middle classes.During the Second Anglo-Boer war it sold over a million copies a day.Ridiculing Kruger and the Boers whilst praising the British
How did Rudyard Kipling shape attitudes towards empire through literature
He had an almost religious belief in empire and filled his work with references to Britain’s ‘higher goals’
Where did more subtle encouragement for empire in literature come from
Women’s writing.Especially in romantic novels.Gertrude Page emigrated to Rhodesia in 1900 and produced over 20 novels based in the lives and loves of fellow settlers.Other writers made stories such as novels focused on committed colonials such as missionaries,civil servants and scientists
Where were colonial themes found
Press
Literature
Music
Youth
How did music convey colonial themes
Many music peices of the time conveyed jingoistic and imperial messages in a humerous way.The best known of these was Edward Elgar.
What did Edward Elgar do
He composed many colonial peices such as the ‘Imperial March’ for Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee and ‘Caracactus’ a cantata containing imperial March music
How were the youth indoctrinated into imperial attitudes
It was spread through books,organisations and schools
How were the young fed with imperial attitudes
-There were a number of adventure stories with imperial themes such as ‘Tales of the Exotic’ and ‘Brett Boys of the empire’
-Boys’ empire league
-Boy Scouts movement (1908) followed by Girl Guides in 1912
-Other youth organisations with religious themes such as ‘Nonconformist boys’ life brigade’
-History and geography books tended to emphasise the glories of empire
-Simple reading books contained imperialist themes
How was empire represented in the media
Images and motifs,exhibitions and advertisements all helped spread a highly romanticised view of empire
-Advertisements frequently used imperial connetations in order to sell goods
-Empire represented in architecture and imperial creations,Promoting empire in both national and international exhibitions such as the one in Rome (1911)
-The extravagance of the Diamond Jubilee (1897)
-King George V’s coronation celebrated with festival of empire
