1890-1914: Attitudes towards imperialism in Britain Flashcards
2 camps for empire
Either supporters or critics of empire. With more people being supporters at this point
Define Khaki election
Election called to exploit public approval following victory or expected victory
1900 Khaki election
Conservatives thought brink of winning Boer war, Salisbury 130 majority.
What happened by 1914
People debated it usefulness
Supporters of the empire
Political parties: All 3 agreed for the empire but differed on what to do with it. Liberal education and lead to self-rule. Labour freedom through empire. Conservatives had ‘white rule’
Lord Salisbury: PM 1886-92, 1895-1902. Use force in empire, oppose home rule, advocate imperial expansion, dislike alliances
Empire as ‘racial duty’: Curzon though nothing is greater. Thought the Br ‘race’ the superior one. Milner argued that every Br man should feel at home - everything should be Br
Joseph Chamberlin: Br in national crisis solved with empire. Enable industrial recovery and provide employment. Wanted to educate. Imperial preference was rejected by dominions and Br.
Supporters of the empire continued
Societies: Royal Colonial Institute made to provide meeting place for those interest in colonial and Indian affairs. Round table movement (1909) idea for Lord Milner used to promote closer union between Br and dominions. Empire day movement used to reinforce imperial identity.
Journalists: Leopold Amery & Lord Bedverbrook - helped represent certain ideals of empire. Promote imperial value with little reference to realities of colonial rule
Critics of empire
Hobson: Saw empire as capitalist plot. Was anti-Semitic and saw Jews using this as opportunity to earn money
Emily Hobhouse: Reported on 2nd Boer War. Led to government enquiry onto conditions of Br concentration camps
Wilfred Scawen Blunt: Saw empire as waste of money
Herbet Spencer: Criticise Victorian enthusiasm for colonial acquisition.
Frederic Harriwon: Saw empire as unethical
Critics of empire continued
William Digby: Writer + propagandist in India.
Walter Crane: Arts and Crafts designer, who wrote children’s books to produce anti-war illustrations to encourage left to embrace anti-imperialism
Others? Most anti-imperialist hidden by imperial support
Why did Br need national efficiency
As Br empire was in state of decline. And Br saw this as a way to prevent the decline and maintain power.
What did Br do to improve ‘national efficiency’
1902 education act
Liberal reforms: free school meals (1906) as well as old age pensions (1908)
Literature/Plays
Rudyard Kipling help shape attitudes pre 1914. Superiority of Br race. Subtle encouragement came from women’s writing (romance) for empire. Such as Mary Gaunt
Press
1890-1914 = ‘Golden Age’ as advancements in printing allowed to reached a wider audience.
Alfred Harmworth - production of new cheap newspaper for lower-middle class. 2nd Boer war Boer shown negatively while praised Br. Then attention to Gr seen as military threat to empire
Music/Music hall
Nationalist and imperialist theme. Played at coronations, jubilees and exhibitions. Sir Arthur Sullivan worked with Sir William Gilbert to make operas with jingoistic messages.
Architecture
Herbert Baker and Edwin Lutyens responsible for Johannesburg art gallery. 1912 invited to design New Delhi
Children’s books
Increased literacy. Market for books with imperial themes. Read in schools and church halls.
