Attitudes towards imperialism Flashcards
Was 1890 the turning point in Imperialist attitudes?
On the surface Britain appeared as a dominant force with high imperialism dominating public and political attitudes
e.g Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897
e.g Strident Imperialists like Joseph Chamberlain
But below the service ………
-political situation undermining british superiority
-international economic situation challenging british dominance
Boer war 1899-1902 Intensified these divisions and raised them centre stage
State some evidence of support of imperialism across society
-public displays of support for empire greeted the Boer war in 1899 and helped the conservatives win an impressive victory in the 1900 “Khaki election”
-empire justified on moral grounds as a “responsibility”
What were the Liberal and Conservative views towards imperialism?
Liberals- aimed to “educate” and improve the colonies and wanted to introduce self-rule BUT they were still reluctant to bring an end to empire
Similar ideas to labour= freedom through empire not freedom from empire
Conservatives- radical rights seen as the “imperialists”, esp during the years 1895-1905. It was believed that correct policies could benefit society and turn the Empire into an economic superpower
What did Lord Curzon a so called “high imperialist” proclaim?
“there has never been anything so great in the world’s history than the British Empire so great an instrument for the good of humanity”
What were “high imperialists”?
saw empire as a “radical duty”
e.g Lord Curzon
e.g Milner
e.g Joseph Chamberlain
State some pro-imperialist societies
Royal Colonial Institute founded in 1870 to provide a meeting place for those interested in colonial and Indian affair
The Round table movement formed in 1909 on an idea of Lord Milner to promote closer ties between Britain and its territories
Empire day movement, a day of festivals intended to reinforce imperial duty and celebrate the Queen as Empress of India=movement was part of the imperialistic drive to educate the public about the empire
Who was one of the most critical of empire?
John Hobson
-an economist who wrote “Imperialism” in 1902
his view was that imperial expansion had been driven by new markets for rich capitalists of Britain to make profits through investment
State another prominent figure of critic towards empire
Emily Hobhouse
welfare campaigner who found reports that led to a government enquiry into the British concentration camps during the Boer war
=tarnished the allure of imperialism and its “civilising mission”
Whilst the Liberals were in power in 1906-1914 what was there attitude towards imperialism?
Imperialism declined as political topic with the liberals preferring to disassociate themselves from colonial conflict and the excessive right wing conservatives BUT the continuation of empire was not questioned
What was the impact of the Boer war?
Concept of “National efficiency” developed, as Britain was being referred to a nation of amateurs and argued that the government needed to be better organised. Measures to improve “national efficiency” included:
-1902 Education Act (wanted to raise school standards, 1000 secondary schools opened)
-Modernisation of the navy
-Liberal reforms included the introduction of free school meals in 1906
=these highlighted that high imperialism was not needed for a successful empire
The boer war showed how dependent Britain was on its Empire, as Britain was dependent on soldiers from India, Canada and Australia due to 40% of British recruits being unfit to serve
What was the relationship between popular culture and Empire in this period?
A vibrant popular culture emerged in Britain in the late 19th century celebrating Britain’s “imperialist glory”
State some examples of popular press
= “Golden age” of newspapers
1890-1914 = tech advancements in printing and the emergence of the professional journalist with a political agenda
-Alfred Harmswoth lead the introduction of a new popularist newspaper in 1896 with the Daily mail, aimed at the lower middle class market, during Boer war sold more than 1 million copies a day and in the early 20th century the mail spoke agaisnt the Germans who were portrayed as posing a military threat to empire
What was the relationship between Imperialism and literature?
-Rudyard Kipling
massively shaped the attitudes of the British public towards empire in the years before 1914, he was often very critical of imperial administrators BUT had an almost religious belief in empire and filled his works with references to Britain’s higher goals
-tales of military campaigns =Victorian best sellers though romantic fiction very popular
What was the relationship between imperialism and music?
-nationalist and imperialist themes were found including being played at coronations, jubilees and exhibits
What were the Gilbert and Sullivan opera’s?
Operas by Sir William Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan created opera’s which offered conveyed a patriotic and imperialist message in a humorous way
Who was a popular “imperial composer”?
Edward Elgar
-Sough to stimulate his listeners emotions and create a mental image which captured the nobility of empire
famous pieces included the “The Crown of India” for the 1911 Delhi Durbar
Who was Howard Handley Spicer?
founder of the Empire League and editor of the Leagues magazine- Boys of Empire with the aim being “to promote and strengthen a worthy imperial spirit in British born boys”
Give examples of new youth movements
Boy Scout Movement 1908
Girls Guide 1912
How was empire introduced with schools?
History and Geography books emphasised the glories of empire and presented the explorers and missionaries as heroes e,g Mary Frances Ames ABC for baby patriots in 1899
How was Imperialism shown through architecture?
Key architects = Edwin Lutyens
Responsible for the Johannesburg Art Gallery from 1911
Invited to help design New Delhi as a home for the government of India
State some famous Exhibits and celebrations of this time
Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee
-one of the greatest representations of empire
King George V’s Coronation
Celebrated with a festival of Empire at the Crystal palace in London in 1911
displayed exhibitions of imperial products
accompanied by a pageant dramatizing the History of London , England and the Empire
Conclusions of attitudes towards empire in this period
Large extent = very popular
No evidence of backlash from members of public
