Evidence of support Flashcards
What was the ‘golden age’ of newspaper publication?
1890-1914 as technical advances in printing and professional journalism
When was the Daily Mail created? What was it?
- Hamsworth pioneered it in 1896
- New form of cheap, populist newspaper
- Deliberately aimed at ‘lower-middle class’ hence low price
How many copies of the Daily Mail were sold a day during the Second Boer War?
- 1899-1902, over 1m copies sold/day
- Damning Boers and Kruger
- Praised heroism of British troops
What are some examples of literature positively influencing attitudes to empire?
- Gertrude Page emigrated to Rhodesia 1900 and wrote over 20 novels based on the lives of fellow settlers
- Mary Gaunt wrote similarly about Anglo-Indian relations in 1890s
- Rudyard Kipling had a strong belief in Empire; tales of military camapaigns were all Victorian bestsellers
How is literature not necessarily indicative of support for Empire?
- Higher-lever literature still inaccessible to majority
- Bc of money, literacy and lack of interest
Where was music with nationalist/imperialist themes heard?
- Music halls
- Concert halls
- Churches
(More universal)
What songs did Edward Elgar write and when?
- ‘Coronation Ode’ 1902 to Edward VII
- ‘The Crown of India’ for the Delhi Durbar of 1911
(Less accessible)
Why is increase in literacy significant? E.g.?
- New and more diverse market for books and comics of adventure with imperialist themes
- E.g. E.J. Brett’s Boys of the Empire (1900)
What was the main paper for young people? Stats?
- Boy’s Own Paper and Girl’s own Paper had half a million readers from 1890-1914
Boys’ Empire League
- 7000 members in 1900
- Annual exam with £25 for winner
What are some examples of Christian youth organisations?
- Nonconformist Boys’ Life Brigade
- Anglican Church Lads’ Brigade
- Est. 1890s
History and Geography
- History and Geography books used in state elementary schools emphasised glory of empire
- Explorers and missionaries represented as heroes
Boy Scout and Girl Guides
- Baden-Powell est. in 1908 and 1912 respectively
- Organised like a military cadet force designed to train defenders of empire by earning badges
- Most successful of all attempts to mobilise young people behind imperial themes
Girls’ Friendly Society
- Over 200,000 members by 1914
Overall significance of young people
- Textbooks would effectively promote empire
- Clubs more exclusive and more popular among privately educated upper class
Africa Exhibition
- London 1890
- Celebrated explorers and colonisation
- Photos and maps
King George V’s coronation
- Celebrated with Festival of Empire at Crystal Palace in London 1911
Overall significance of events and exhibitions
- Almost exclusively aristocracy and elite
- All events mentioned in London and specifically rich areas of London
What are some architectural imperial creations of Edwin Lutyens in Britain and Empire?
- British Pavilion at international exhibition in Rome 1911
- Invited to help design the New Delhi in 1912 as a home for government of India which was moving from Calcutta
What was the 1900 general election called?
- Khaki Election
- Conservatives won large majority after Boer War had been thought to be won
- Debatably provides evidence of working class’ support for Empire
What is a caveat to the 1900 Khaki Election?
- Liberal and Tory jingoistic candidates rejected in many working class areas
- Opposition to Home Rule for Ireland greater reason for voting Tory than imperialism
- By 1902, Tories losing by-elections
What was Empire Day and when was the first one?
- 24th May 1902
- Celebrated Empire
- Millions across the length and breadth Empire would salute the union flag and sing patriotic songs like Jerusalem and God Save the Queen
