1857-1890: Attitudes towards imperialism in Britain

Question 1

What were the two politicians and what party were they

Answer 1

Benjamin Disraeli - Conservative Party Leader
William Ewart Gladstone - Liberal Party from 1868

Question 2

What was Disraeli view on the empire

Answer 2

1872 Crystal Palace speech - In favour of empire

Enthusiasm for empire came as a way to gain support due to 1867 Reform Act.

This produced party rivalry

Question 3

What was Gladstone’s view on the empire

Answer 3

Critical of Disraeli
Br needed to avoid new acquisitions and rather develop existing ones
Help them get self government
Still supported empire just not the methodology as Disraeli

Question 4

What did Disraeli do as Prime Minister

Answer 4

Bought £4 million shares of Suez Canal in 1875
Made Queen Victoria ‘Empress of India’ in 1877
Attempted to make Afghanistan into client state
Annexed Transvaal in 1877
Launched war on Zulu nation
Defeat in April 1880s general election

Question 5

What did Gladstone do as Prime Minister

Answer 5

Declined commitment for hegemony over South Africa
Same for Mahdist Rebellion in Sudan 1884
Gladstone involved in Egypt for Suez Canal + public pressure - Due to
Arabi Pasha’s uprising, 1881, Order restored in 1882
Due to Berlin Conference Somaliland and Bechuanaland became Br
protectorates with local powers continuing
Oversaw 1884 Parliamentary Reform Act - extend to 5.5 million men
Resigned in June 1885
When he returned in 1886 introduced Home rule Bill for Ireland

Question 6

Public view on Empire

Answer 6

Becoming more popular due to popular press that showed heroism. Education Act of 1870 + Reform Acts 1867 and 1884 made public
more politically aware
Many wrote books such as H.Rider Haggard’s King Solomon’s Mines
School books reflected positive themes
As well as clubs and associations like the Boys’ Brigade (1883) that
reinforce imperialist values
Widely accepted that Br were superior and it was their job to ‘civilise’
the people of empire

Question 7

What were the imperial exhibitions

Answer 7

Were seen as ‘human zoos’ to show how those in colonies lived as a form as entertainment
London hosted Africa Exhibition in 1890 - to show things found in Africa and justify Br presence in Africa

Question 8

What were common Br views and how were they justified

Answer 8

Br were superior and were justified using social Darwinism