Evidence against Imperial Culture Flashcards
Which historian argues that empire did not permeate into British culture, even after the ramping up of propaganda at the end of the C19th?
Bernard Porter
How many canonical novels in the 19th century featured the empire significantly?
None
When did oriental architechture decline?
After the death of George IV
Where did painters often look for exotic inspiration?
The Middle Ages
What was the focus of history in public schools? In middling schools?
Ancient history and the classics (public schools)
The growth of individual liberty in Britain (middling schools)
What does Porter believe defined British culture and identity in the C19th and C20th centuries?
Class
Who said in 1883 that empire semmed to have been acquired “in a fit of absence of mind”?
J.R. Seeley
Which former Colonial Secretary argued that schoolchildren would be better off “given practical lessons in the geography of their own localities” rather than being shown maps of empire?
Lord Kimberley in 1893
How may the forms of governance in the empire show the limited impact it may have had on British culture?
Much of the empire was ruled through collaboration and indirect control. This meant it was managed in a way which had a minimal impact on British people in terms of cost and personnel.
Why does Bernard Porter believe that the impact of the pro-imperialist propaganda at the turn of the century is hard to ascertain?
- It is hard to measure public opinion
- Much of the most popular propaganda was sugar coated e.g. Empire Day which was a half-holiday
- Non-imperial values and class remained dominant within day to day life and culture
When did geograpical societies disband?
After WW1
Which of Rudyard Kipling’s books suggests that children may have been able to resist the imperialist elements of Empire Day?
Stalky and Co.
What is a counter-argument to the role of Empire Day and the Scouts?
- Children were likely enthusiastic about empire day because it meant a half-day at school and partying
- Camping and activities obviously interested children rather than the colonial undertones of the organisation
Why do most historians argue that high literacy rates didn’t necessarily mean imperial books were read?
Just because people could read, didn’t mean they necessarily did. Often, they didn’t have the time or energy to be able to do so.
Which two main pieces of evidence counter the idea that Music Hall shows how Britain’s culture was imperialist?
- Many contemporaries satirised music halls which shows how they weren’t taken seriously
- Just because people attended Music Halls, didn’t mean they were imperialist - they may have gone for entertainment and patriotism is different to imperialism
Why is using the 1900 election results a weak example of imperial attitudes shaping electoral results?
- Since the Conservatives only won 400,000 more votes than the unstable Liberals
- It was opposition to Irish Home Rule which defined the result as opposed to anti-Boer sentiment
- Liberals won a landslide victory in 1906 anyway
What evidence could be used to counter the popularity of the Imperialist Wembley Exhibition?
The placement of the exhibition at a national sporting ground associated with working-class football suggests that this was a marketing ploy. Such an effort suggests that the attraction of imperialism itself was not strong enough to entice visitors.
When was the Imperial Institute founded? When did it actually become popular? Why?
1880s but wasn’t popular until after 1914. Even then, it was primarily school children who visited it because it was a compulsory school trip.
When did the Imperial Institute close? The Empire Marketing Board?
II = 1955 EMB = 1933 (after just 7 years)
What might the tight controls placed on cinema in the 1930s suggest about imperialist attitudes?
It suggests that the imperialist attitudes weren’t as strong as the government wanted. Hence, they were forced to ensure that films had a pro-White official outlook.
What is the crucial flaw with evidence in favour of imperial culture?
Much of it is propaganda and entertainment - it is hard to determine what impact this had on people’s imperial perspectives. Most likely, they were more concerned with the entertainment value or ignored the propaganda.
Why, according to Michael Paris, did children’s authors write about imperialist themes?
Because they feared the decline of empire
Why, according to Richard Price, did the working classes sign up for the Second Boer War?
For socio-economic reasons
What was the impact of WW1 on imperialist attitudes according to Robert Pearce?
In some ways, it weakened imperialist attitudes. It showed how the White Man’s Burden and Social Darwinism was unjustified - White Europeans had been brutally killing each other for 4 years. The weariness of war had led to more modernist art in an attempt to go against the patriotic works in the pre-war period which had contributed to the conflict.
Who wrote a parody of Macdermott’s jingoistic music hall song from 1877?
Henry Pettit
What does McDonough argue was the main reason for working-class voters electing the Conservatives in the 1900 election?
Opposition to Irish Home Rule and not pro-Imperialism in the Boer War
