British Attitudes Towards Imperialism 1857-90

Question 1

Who was Benjamin Disraeli?

Answer 1

The Conservative Party leader, serving as Prime Minister in 1868, and then again in the years 1874-80.

Question 2

Who was William Gladstone?

Answer 2

The Liberal Party leader, serving as Prime Minister in the years 1868-74, 1880-1885, 1886, and 1892-94.

Question 3

Why did British attitudes towards Empire shift in the 1870s (2)?

Answer 3

1) Britain faced growing economic competition from emerging European powers.
2) European and American tariffs made it harder to flood Western markets with British goods.

Question 4

What is jingoism?

Answer 4

Extreme Empire-related patriotism, encouraging aggressive foreign policy.

Question 5

What did Disraeli label the Conservative Party in the 1870s?

Answer 5

The ‘Party of the Empire’.

Question 6

What was the main reason for the election win for the Conservatives in 1874?

Answer 6

The playing of the ‘imperial card’ - appealing to the growing pro imperialist British public.

Question 7

What was Gladstone’s stance towards Empire?

Answer 7

Gladstone supported Empire, but not imperialism. He believed that Britain should avoid new acquisitions, and focus on developing existing colonies towards self government.

Question 8

What did the Liberals accuse Disraeli of?

Answer 8

Stirring up jingoism amongst the British public.

Question 9

How did Disraeli live up to his imperialist stance (4)?

Answer 9

1) He bought the £4 million shares in the Suez Canal in 1875, without parliamentary permission.
2) He pushed the Royal Titles Act through the House of Commons, making Queen Victoria Empress of India in 1877, consolidating British rule over India, and appointing Lytton as Viceroy.
3) Disraeli and Lytton aimed to expand the Raj by making Afghanistan into a client state, launching an invasion in 1878, eventually securing control in 1880, after over 10,000 deaths.
4) Wanting to expand in South Africa, Disraeli annexed the Boer Republic of the Transvaal in 1877, launching a war on the Zulu and the Pedi peoples. Despite eventual victory at Ulundi, the British were humiliated at Isandlwana in January 1879.

Question 10

What was the main reason for a Liberal victory in the 1880 election?

Answer 10

The setbacks in both the Zulu and Afghan campaigns made many question the Conservative government.

Question 11

When did the Transvaal Boers declare independence, and what was the main consequence?

Answer 11

Declaring independence in December 1880, the Boers attacked British garrisons, starting the First Anglo-Boer War (1880-81).

Question 12

What is hegemony?

Answer 12

Dominance by one state over others in a region.

Question 13

How did Gladstone demonstrate his anti-imperialist stance (2)?

Answer 13

1) After the British defeat to the Boers at Majuba Hill in February 1881, Gladstone refused to commit further troops, time or money to uphold Disraeli’s ambitions of a British hegemony over South Africa.
2) During the Mahdist Rebellion in Sudan in 1884, Gladstone urged the Anglo-Egyptian troops to withdraw.

Question 14

How did Gladstone reluctantly go against his anti-imperialist principles (2)?

Answer 14

1) Arabi Pasha’s 1881 uprising in Egypt threatened the Suez Canal, European lives and British investments, and under public pressure, Gladstone was forced to intervene, bringing Egypt under British control in 1882.
2) Britain acquired new territories, such as Somaliland and Bechuanaland, at the Berlin Conference of 1884-85. However, the local rulers were left in charge in Bechuanaland, showing Gladstone’s reluctance in expansion.

Question 15

When did Gladstone resign as Prime Minister?

Answer 15

June 1885.

Question 16

What was the 1884 Parliamentary Reform Act?

Answer 16

It further extended the right to vote to 5.5 million men.

Question 17

Who replaced Gladstone in 1885?

Answer 17

The Conservatives, led by Lord Salisbury.

Question 18

When did Gladstone return as Prime Minister, and what did he introduce?

Answer 18

Returning in 1886, he introduced a Home Rule Bill for Ireland, aiming to grant separate Irish legislature for domestic affairs whilst remaining part of the UK. However this did not pass.

Question 19

What were attitudes towards Empire like within Britain in the 1860s and 1870s?

Answer 19

Pro-Empire.

Question 20

What were 5 reasons for the popularity of Empire in the 1857-90?

Answer 20

1) The reporting of the press.
2) Missionaries and explorers.
3) Exhibitions.
4) The Education Act of 1870 increased literacy rates.
5) Books.

Question 21

What are two examples of the British press influencing the British public 1857-90?

Answer 21

1) The press reported the brutality of the Indian Mutiny in 1857, such as in Cawnpore, whilst also recounting brave soldiers, like Major-General Henry Havelock. The press did not mention the British retaliation, such as the massacre at Jhansi.
2) Arabi Pasha’s revolt in Egypt was heavily reported by the press, especially the revolts in Alexandra, resulting in public pressure against Gladstone to intervene.

Question 22

How did books generate pro-Empire ideals amongst the British public 1857-90 (4)?

Answer 22

1) Imperialist literature appeared in bookshops.
2) Imperialist tales of adventure were told in comics.
3) The Boy’s Own Paper (1879) told stories of soldiery and bravery.
4) School books featured imperialist ideals.

Question 23

What was the Boys’ Brigade?

Answer 23

A club reinforcing imperialist ideals through military training and by reminding the youth the values of the ‘glorious’ Empire.

Question 24

How did explorers and missionaries shape ideals of superiority in the British public?

Answer 24

Stories of missionaries and explorers were available in newspapers, with heroic tales enforcing ideas of superiority. The British saw themselves as superior to all other races in all aspects, believing that the Empire was a force of ‘civilisation’ for the ‘heathen savages’.

Question 25

What was the significance of imperial exhibitions (3)?

Answer 25

1) Reinforced ideas of physical and social superiority.
2) Africa Exhibition of 1890 showcased many artifacts.
3) The Colonial and Indian Exhibition of 1886 featured human exhibitions.

Question 26

What does pseudoscientific mean?

Answer 26

Falsely claiming to be based in science or fact.

Question 27

What did Social Darwinists believe?

Answer 27

That societies and people compete for dominance, with only the strongest surviving. This was used to justify the colonisation of ‘weaker’ people.