attitudes to empire 1890-1914 Flashcards
What was the impact of Joseph Chamberlain on attitudes
believed Imperial Preference would benefit the Empire
When the Boer war Broke out in 1899, chamberlain was known as somewhat of a hero, however, this faded as the war drew out
was responsible for the Ugandan
Railways, the annexation of ashantiland, and the acquisition of the territory controlled by the royal Niger Company
his ideas of colonial preferences divide the Conservative Party, was unable to cobince the public in 1906 as the election was lost to the Liberals
What impact did Cicil Rhodes have on imperial attitudes?
held strong connections of the right and duty of Britons to dominate Africa and beyond
using his wealth and political power, he was able to gather an audience hoe and abroad
founded Rhodesia in 1890
his ambition of ‘Cape to Cairo’ to ensure British domination, however was blocked by the Germans in 1891
what was the political support for empire?
Conservative Party were seen to be the party of the empire and held a ‘rule by force’ view (Lord Salisbury),
Thus support for empire was highlighted as the conservatives won the Khaki election in 1900
Liberal and the new Labour Party were focused on education and building the economy of the empire with the ultimate purpose of self-rule
‘freedom through empire’
Alfred Milner believed a British man should Geel equally at home anywhere in the Empire
Chamberlain believed only the empire could solve the crisis of the industrial and military advances of other powers
he believed educating the public on the vslure of empire would win loyalty from the working class
evidence for the support of empire?
many colonial activiists attended meetings with the Royal colonial Institute
the Victoria League , set up 1901, set up by women to promote closer union between different parts of the empire, hospital, friendship and education
The round Table movement began in 1909 to promote a closer union between the Empire and its self governing colonies
Empire day vegan in 1902, became officially recognised by parliament in 1916 intended to promote empire, educate about empire and celebrate empire with queen Victoria asa maternal figure to the empire
journalists such as Lord Beaverbrook (who would become the chief proprietor of the Daily Express in 1916) helped to represent the empire as an imperial family
critics of empire?
one of the strongest critics was John A. Hobson
his views were catalysed by the Boer War
believed empire was a cpitalsit plot
Hobbhouse reports, led to government enquiry of British concentration camps, tarnished the lure of the empire being civilised
liberals dissociated themselves from colonial conflict and the imperialism of the right wing conservatives, but the continuation of empire was not questioned
What was the Literate and Music .ike>
Rudyard Kipling shaped British attitudes before 1914, almost religious commitment to empire in his work “White Mans birden’
Samuel Baker and GA Henry’s tales of military expeditions proved best sellers
Gilbert and Sullivan’s Operas often portrayed a humorous message of patriotism
imperial composer Edward Elgar ‘the Imperial March’
What was the Youth movement and education?
Robert Bayden-Powell, here of the Boer war, set up the boy’s ousts in 1908, and girl guided in 1912.
increased literacy rates produced new markets for books and comics, such as ‘Brett’s Boys of the Empire
William Hartley Spencer published \Boys of empire magazine and the Boy’s empire league with 7000 member in
what were the exhibitions and festivals
Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee was celebrated in 1897, demonstrating the full power of the Empire
Empire Day was celebrated on the 24th of May
King George V’s coronation was celebrated with a Festival of Empire at the Crystal Palace in 1911
What was the concern over National Efficiency
became a real concern after the Boer war as 30,000 Boer soldiers for almost 3 years
it became so difficult for Britain to recruit many soldiers as as much of the ovulation were unfit
living standards and diet were poor in th UK, with colonies tending to be a lot healthier
industrial noth-west were the most suffering form national efficiency as 3000 of 11000 vouleneers were accepted to military service
Rowntree report on national efficiency
what were the measures taken to counter national efficiency concerns
1902 Education Act, raised standards and led to 1000 new secondary schools
Conservative government launched a scheme to compete with German military HMS Dreadnaught was launched in 1906.
social reforms we’re made subsequently, such as free school meals 1906, school medical inspections 1907, old age pensions 1908, and national insurance 1911
