Attitudes towards Imperialism in Britain 1857-90 Flashcards
What did Disraeli assert about the Conservative party
- Tory + Liberal parties previously united in their acceptance of empire until 1870 shift
- Disraeli asserted that Conservatives were ‘Party of Empire’ + Liberal opponents would allow empire to crumble
What was the Crystal Palace Speech
Disraeli presented new perspective of empire at Crystal Palace Speech 1872 - enthusiasm for empire as a way of winning support
Why did the Tory party have newfound enthusiasm for empire
Way of winning support - tory’s hadn’t won an election since 1841 + playing ‘Imperialist card’ paid off when they won electoral victory 1874
What did the Liberals think of Disraeli
In the views of Liberals, Disraeli was dangerous + accused of stirring up jingoism
How did Disraeli live up to his imperialist stance
- Bought £4m worth of Suez Canal shares 1874
- Steered Royal Titles Acts through HoC to bestow title ‘Empress of India’ to Victoria embedding British rule over India
How did Disraeli seek to expand/consolidate the Raj
- Attempting to turn neighbouring Afghanistan into Client State
- Lytton launched invasion Nov 1878
What happened in the campaign in Afghanistan
- Lytton launched invasion Nov 1878 (Russophobia + Great Game reasons)
- British troops faced setbacks + lost 10000 before eventual victory
- Secured British control over Afghanistan
What did Disraeli do in South Africa
Annexed Boer Republic of Transvaal 1877
Launched war on Zulus in hopes of establishing British Federation of SA
What was Gladstone’s stance in South Africa
Gladstone highly critical of Disraeli’s policies but forced to adopt Tory adventurism when Transvaal Boers mobilised to throw off British rule + declared independence Dec 1880
How did Gladstone react to the First Boer war
1st Anglo-Boer war Gladstone declined to commit further troops, time, money to uphold Disraeli’s influence in SA
Highlighting difference in colonial policy/priorities with Tory’s
What happened during the Mahdist Rebellion
During Mahdist Rebellion in Sudan 1884 Gladstone urged withdrawal of Anglo-British troops + reflected the view that Sudanese were struggling rightly to be free
Why did Gladstone become involved in Egypt
For the sake of Suez Canal security + result of public pressure from press
Arabi Pasha’s uprising 1881 threatened Suez + Khedive Tewqik was installed as ruler in Britain’s newly occupied territory
How did Gladstone show that he was reluctance to pursue imperialism
- Gladstone was forced by Berlin Conference 1884 resulted in conversion of Somaliland + Bechuanaland into British protectorates
- Left local rulers in charge suggesting Gladstone reluctant to take on further management of costs associated with empire
How was Gladstone hesitant in New Guinea
Hesitancy evident when Germany claimed New Guinea 1884 - Gladstone resisted confrontation + instead ordered the occupation of island’s SE zone to establish British control there (Aus financed development of British New Guinea)
When did Gladstone resign as PM
June 1885 having overseen the 1884 Parliamentary Reform Act which extended the vote to 5.5m
Meant that trend of promoting imperialism for popular support returned under Tory govt Sailsbury
How did Gladstone show sympathy for Irish nationalists
Showed sympathy for Irish nationalists who long campaigned for Irish independence - when he returned as PM 1886 introduced Home Rule Bill for Ireland as a branch of his support for colonial self-rule (rejected)
What does rejection of the Home Rule Bill show
Majority of politicians still had imperialist attitudes/triumphant stance on empire
What happened in Zululand
Initial invasion of Zululand failure, humiliating losses at Isandlwana 1879 before victory as Ulundi 6 months later
How were the Tory’s defeated 1880
Setbacks at Afghanistan + Zululand contributed to Tory defeat 1880 + return of Liberal rule under Gladstone
How did the Liberal party view empire
- More concerned with free trade than constructing empire
- Gladstone distinguished between ‘imperialism’ which he opposed and ‘empire’ which he supported
- supported growth of ‘imperial project’
Why was there a surge in public attitudes towards empire 1860s/70s
Result of reporting in growing popular press which saw stories of ‘exoticism’ ‘heroism’
What was the impact of the Education Act 1870 + Reform acts
Increased national literacy rates + extension of the vote 1867 + 1884 Reform Acts made public more politically aware
How did the press report Arabi Pasha’s revolt in Egypt
1883 revolt occupied reporters who highlighted that Gladstone was supported in his decision to intervene
Daily Telegraph reported that rebels had killed ‘All the Christians they could find in Alexandria’ made Gladstone’s intervention well supported by public
What was the Boys Only Paper
- Appeared 1879 featuring stories portraying brave soldiers + increased contributions from Powell who founds Scouts movement after
- Boys Only Paper + Girls Only paper reached circulation of half million
How did empire themes spread through children
School books reflected empire themes, clubs/associations founded
Boys Brigade 1883 reinforcing imperialist values by offering military training
How did the British view empire in terms of morality
- British saw empire as ‘empire of races’ + believed they were superior in morals, religion, politics ‘civilisation’
- Belief that colonisation was a civilising mission + sense of imperial duty to control overseas was reinforced by view that white races were superior
1870’s how was empire presented in the press/entertainment
Stories of explorers/missionaries active in British newspapers/magazines to reinforce idea of British superiority/benevolence
How did Darwin’s publication of ‘On the origin of species’ affect views
Attitude of superiority encouraged by Darwin’s publication which implied that there were weaker races naturally
Where and when were popular exhibitions displayed
- 1862 International Exhibition held in South Kensington featured 28000 exhibitors from 36 countries - represented superiority + displayed 7000 exhibits from India alone
- 1877 Nubian Village of Sudan displayed Alexandra Palace
- 1886 Colonial + Indian Exhibition held in SKensington
How did popular exhibitions affect public attitudes
Highlighted practical demonstration of wealth/industrial development of empire
- Showed that lots of people saw natives as inherently inferior
- Attitudes of superiority encouraged
What was the African Exhibition 1890 showing
London hosted Africa Exhibition 1890 to showcase African travels + celebrated explorers + colonisation to ‘justify’ British presence in Africa
How did British interest/attitude towards empire emerge
Emerging popular culture, mass consumption of entertainment, greater political awareness, increasingly accessible press + imperial ideology established from supposed benefits of Christianity (used to justify British imperial gains)
What is an example of criticism of empire
Haggard’s novel 1885 ‘King Soloman’s mines’ portrayed African as heroes/interracial romances + states African’s are more gentlemanly than European’s
Highlights how not everyone was triumphalist as book was a best seller
How was art used as propaganda
Edward Armitage’s painting ‘Retribution’ 1885 depicted events at Indian Mutiny showing British were ‘bringing’ justice to Indian rebels + showed bravery of British when faced with colonial disruption
Pride/emphasis placed on British strength
What was the portrayal of Indian Mutiny in British press
1867 press had shown power to influence British public attitudes in reporting of Indian mutiny - public horrified at massacres at Cawnpore Indians killed 200 women/children (produced hysteria) + press showed bravery of soldiers
