Imperial Attitudes 1890-1914

Question 1

Individuals Influence - Rhodes

Answer 1

Prime Minister of Cape Colony in 1890. Driven by a strong conviction that British civilisation
and control was key to the betterment of the world. In 1890, he sent settlers to establish Fort Salisbury in Matabeleland, opening up the territories that from c1899 were to be known as Rhodesia in his honour.

Question 2

Individuals Influence - Curzon

Answer 2

Viceroy of India 1899.

Appointed a number of commissions to inquire into education, irrigation, police and other branches of administration. Oversaw 6000 miles of railway built in India

Question 3

Individuals Influence - Baring

Answer 3

Consul-General in Egypt between 1883-1907. Saw himself as a moral reformer, he was
certain that Christian values should be base of Empire.

Question 4

Impact of the press and literature

Answer 4

Kiplings ‘A white mans burden’

Alfred Harmsworth – owner of Daily Mail and Daily Mirror
“Old style newspapers served the news raw, Harmsworth served it cooked”

These both showed the popular appeal of Empire

Hobhouse report - Imperialism associated with barbarism and greed after Boer War

David Lloyd George – critic of Boer War and imperialist policy

Show the criticism of Empire

Question 5

Support for Empire

Answer 5

Conservative remained pro-Empire and won Khaki election
Liberals/Labour less so but still supportive of Empire generally

Rhodes, Curzon and Baring Harmsworth and Kiplings work

Moral – responsibility/burden, civilising the world, British rule vital for the advancement of ‘backward’ races

Economic – empire would generate wealth

Question 6

Opposition to Empire

Answer 6

Empire only benefited the rich elite and didn’t effect vast majority of Brits
Imperial expansion was ‘a capitalist plot’ (Hobson)
Aftermath of Boer War – Not necessarily questioning Empire in general but people began to question the ‘civilising mission’ of the empire (Hobhouse report)
David Lloyd George – critic of Boer War and imperialist policy

Question 7

Boer War Impact on Imperial attitudes

Answer 7

Imperialism became associated with barbarism and greed

Many on the left felt that the Empire only bought benefits to the few and perhaps even damaged the interests of the majority.

Concern about Britain’s ability to protect the Empire had been exposed by the War