Imperial Consolidation And Liberal Rule, 1890-1914 - Attitudes Towards Imperialism In Britain Flashcards
In 1897, how did Queen Victoria display imperialism?
Through her diamond jubilee
Among what groups was Imperialism supported?
It was widely accepted among the ruling elites and at all levels of society
What was the 1900 ‘khaki election’?
The election in the period of the second Anglo-Boer war, where the British wore ‘khakis’ because of their uniforms which were a dull brownish-yellow colour, designed to merge with the terrain. To promote this idea an election was called in 1900 to exploit public approval - and the conservatives won impressively
How was Empire often justified?
It was seen as a ‘responsibility’, or even a ‘burden’ that god had placed on the British to bring stability and order to the world, and it was also seen as a way of ‘civilising’ colonies peoples
What did the liberals aim for in terms of empire?
They aimed at the education and improvement of the colonies and their peoples - with the objective to make them self-ruling and free from empire
How did Lord Curzon view empire and what did he say about it?
As a racial duty, saying empire is an ‘instrument for the good of humanity’
What did Joseph chamberlain believe about Imperialism?
He believed there was a ‘national crisis’ (due to developments of other powers) which only empire could solve, he thought that empire was a way of winning,yo alt y from the working class, he thought it was important for defence and trade
What approach to empire did most imperialists take?
They undertook a policy of ‘imperial preference’
What societies were many imperial activists members of?
- the royal colonial institute 1870 which provided a meeting place for those interested in in colonial and Indian affairs
- the Victoria league 1901, which was founded by women to promote a closer union between different parts of empire
- the round table movement, 1909, on an idea of Lord Milner to promote a closer union between Britain and its colonies
What was the empire day movement?
A pro-imperial group which followed the lead of lord Meath in 1896, however it was not celebrated until 1902
How did John. A Hobson oppose Imperialism?
- he was deeply anti-Semitic, saying that Jewish financiers made use of their political influence, elite connections and ‘press conspiracy’ to shape imperial policy to benefit foreign men who’s interest isn’t British
- He thought that imperial expansion and the search for new markets and new opportunities was a ‘capitalist plot’, reinforced by his view of the second Anglo-Boer war which was fought to secure gold in S.Africa
What were other ‘anti-imperialist’ views after the second Anglo-Boer war?
They thought empire was more to do with the conduct of war
Who was Emily Hobhouse and what was her impact?
What was the difference between ‘white’ and ‘black’ concentration camps?
‘White’ camps were provided with tents, and water, whereas inmates in ‘black’ camps were expected to build their own shelters and work for food and drink. Also, medical care was non existent in black camps but this didn’t attract the same concern as in white camps
What proportion of black civilians placed in these camps died?
20000/130000
Why was ‘national efficiency’ a concern?
30000 Boers held out against the British forces for almost 3 years, and 40% of the British recruits from Britain were tested and found unfit for military service
What measures were taken to improve ‘national efficiency’?
- the 1902 education act which sought to raise school standards (led to the opening of 1000 secondary schools
- the modernisation if the Royal Navy came through the new class of battleship (‘dreadnought’) in 1906
- the ‘imperial college’ was established in London in 1907 which was a centre for tech and science
- liberal social reforms were introduced such as free school meals (1906), old age pensions (1908), unemployment and health insurance (1911) and the right to free medical treatment
Who were the leading figures of the ‘new liberal’ philosophy?
David Lloyd George (chancellor 1908-15) and Winston Churchill who worked with the PM Herbert Smith
What were the years from 1890-1914 a ‘golden age’ for?
Popular press, in the form of newspaper publications due to technical advance in printing and the emergence of professional journalists
Who was Alfred Harmsworth and what was his impact over attitudes to imperialism?
He was the founder of the Daily Mail newspaper in 1896, and sold it at a low price, meaning it sold millions of copies/day and it told stories of war, damning the Boers and Kruger all whilst praising the British troops
What film was published to portray Britain in a positive limelight after the second Anglo-Boer war?
The film, ‘dispatch rider’ was published, which included a scene showing a British soldier giving a Boer a drink and being shot in the back
Who was Rudyard Kipling and how did he shape British attitudes towards empire?
- he was a renowned poet and writer, and his pieces often reflected orientalist and social Darwinist views
- he was critical of imperial administrators, but had a religious belief in empire and ‘British race’ superiority and he filled his books with references to Britain’s ‘higher goals’
What was a key poem by Rudyard Kipling?
‘A white Man’s burden’
Where was imperialism presented in woman’s writing?
- Gertrude Page, who emigrated to Rhodesia in 1900 and produced 20 novels based on the lives and loves of fellow settlers
- Mary Gaunt, whose novels focused on missionaries, civil servants and scientists
Who was Edward Elgar and how did he influence attitudes to empire?
He was the most popular ‘imperial’ composer and sought to stimulate his listeners’ emotions by capturing the ‘nobility of empire’
What was a key piece of Edward Elgar?
‘imperial march’ for queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee in 1897
How was literacy developed to shape attitudes to imperialism and what is a key example?
It produced a new market for books and comics and the youth were fed with adventure stories with imperial themes e.g. E.J. Brett’s ‘boys of the empire’ gave tales of exotic stories from British outposts
The religious tract society:
Produced the ‘boys own paper’ and the ‘girls own paper’ which secured a readership of 1/4-1/2 million from 2890-1914 and were popular due to their promotion of military and missionary activity
Who was Howard Handley Spicer and what did he publish?
Who was Robert Baden-Powell and what movement did he establish?
What key artwork depitcted Britain as ‘paternal rulers’
Why did Queen Victoria’s 1897 diamond jubilee positively impact empire?
There was a huge military display of over 50000 troops, which showed colonial self-confidence
How was King George V’s coronation celebrated?
With a festival of empire in 1911, with exhibitions of imperial products being displayed, dramatising of the history of London, music performances and an intro-empire sports championship (which later became the commonwealth)
