(5) Attitudes Towards Imperialism Flashcards
Definition: jingoism
Empire related patriotism, encouraging and celebrating British imperial gains, boasting about Britain’s power
Definition: Hegemony
Dominance by one state over others in the region
Political view on empire pre 1870s
- in 165 Parliamentary Select Committee suggested withdrawing interests in W Africa due to cost
- less involvement due to communication issues
- National prestige still present though
How political view of empire changed from the 1870s
- concern about ambition of other powers
- greater economic and industrial competition
- American Protective tariffs meant it was harder to flood goods in the west with British goods
Benjamin Disraeli: Imperial Roles
- short lived prime minister under Tory gov in 1868
- served again full term from 1874-1880
Benjamin Disraeli: Political and Imperial Attitude
- high imperialist who wanted to spread values
- assert control in new colonies and within existing
Benjamin Disraeli: key events
- 1872 Crystal Palace Speech emphasising that Tory was ‘party of empire’ and Liberals we’re not
- 1875 Invested £4min in Suez
- 1877 ‘Royal Empress’ Title given, India
Benjamin Disraeli: failures
- 1879: invasion of the Zululand, humiliation at Isandlwana
- 1880: setback in Afghanistan and Zululand contributed to Liberal win in the election
William Gladstone: Imperial Roles
- Colonial Secretary 1845
- 4 time prime minster: 1868-74, 1880-85, 1886, 1992-94 under Liberals
William Gladstone: Political and Imperial attitude
- form moral perspective to politics, influence by his mother’s commitment to Scottish non conformist
- ‘reluctant imperialist’
- Critical of Disraeli imperial policies
William Gladstone: key events
- 1881: defeat at Majamba Hill, refused to send drips
- 1882: Khadive Tweig installed as ruler of Egypt for stability
- 1884: Madhist Revolt supporting the Sudanese freedom
- 1884: Parliamentary reform act allowing 5.5 mil new voters
- 1886: unsuccessful Home Rule Bill in Ireland to allow domestic independence
British Press in India 1857
- Power, Cawnpore massacre reporting
- Created hero’s: eg. Major-General Henry Havelock who re captured Cawnpore and Lucknow. Statue in Trafalgar Square
Reason for Public support increase for British Imperialism in 1860s and 70s
- increase reporting and popular press
- 1867 Reform Act allowed more awareness of politics in the press
- 1870 Education Act increased literacy
Press in Egypt 1882
- Favoured Gladstone’s intervention in Arabi Pasha’s revolt but aggregation
- reports like: ‘the rebels had killed every Christian in sight’, ‘further massacres were imminent’
Role of literature supporting imperial views
- Young Victorians read explorers stories
- ‘boys in paper’ in 1879 included soldier bravery
- ‘boys brigade’ in school focusing on imperial values and trained men for military
- newspaper reporting of missionaries and explorers
