Role Of Individuals 1890-1914 Flashcards
What was the role and influence of Joseph Chamberlain
He served as mayor of Birmingham before becoming its liberal member of parliament in 1876. He was colonial secretary for Britain and he later became Secretary of State for the colonies. He initiated the Ugandan railway connecting the East African coast with the interior. He sanctioned the annexation of Ashantiland into the Gold Coast of West Africa. In 1900 he supervised the acquisition of the territories of the Royal Niger company. He supported Rhodes’ ambition in SA. He presided over success in the Boer war.
What was the role and influence of Cecil Rhodes
He became prime minister of the Cape colony in 1890. He believed British civilisation and control were key to the betterment of the world. He hoped to establish British rule from the north to the south of Africa. He sent settlers to establish fort Salisbury in Matabeleland opening up territories that were known as Rhodesia. Rhodes intended to build a railway that would reach the river Nile which would ensure British domination of all east-central Africa. This dream cape to Cairo was blocked by the Germans. Rhodes resigned as PM in 1896.
What was the role and influence of Viceroy Curzon
PM Salisbury appointed George Curzon as Viceroy of India. His concern about Russian expansion led to the creation of the North-West frontier province in 1901. He believed in a moral imperial duty. He worked to strengthen British India. He established commissions and legislations to improve India’s administration and agriculture. He oversaw the re arming of native regiments, the expansion of provincial police and the construction of 6000 miles of railways track. He lavished hospitality and rewards on members of the Imperial cadet corps. Curzon was also wary of giving Indians to much responsibility. He had a low opinion of Indians abilities. Even in his own province an Indian lacked an Englishman’s authority. Curzon refused to appoint more to senior posts for fear that they were unequal to emergencies and inclined to run away. Curzon believed dividing the Province of Bengal in 1905 he would weaken the Rajs internal enemies. Instead it backfired and he was forced to resign.
What was the role and influence of Evelyn Baring
He was consul general in Egypt between 1883 and 1907. He saw himself as a moral reformer. He believed a long occupation of Egypt was essential and established a new guiding principle the ‘Granville Doctrine’ which allowed Baring to dismiss Egyptian ministers who refused to accept British directives. Baring placed British officials in key ministries and created the veiled protectorate in which British officials held the actual power. Baring effectively controlled Egypt until 1907. Baring considered the Egyptian army to be untrustworthy after previous mutinies against the Khedive so it was disbanded and a new army was organised. Baring promoted irrigation projects and helped to bring economic prosperity to Egypt. In 1892 when Tewfiq died the new young Khedive Abbas Hilmi II wanted to overthrow British rule. He encouraged a nationalist movement but Baring bullied him into submission. Baring took action to stop the slave supply into Egypt, discourage slave-ownership in Egypt, abolished forced labour etc. He was forced to resign in 1906 after the hanging of locals at denshawai.
What was the role and influence of Alfred Milner
Milner was an administrator who had served in Egypt and as chairman of the board of Inland revenue. He was an ardent imperialist and was hand picked by chamberlain to become Britain’s high commissioner for Southern Africa from 1897. He was convinced of British superiority over both Africans and Boers. When Kruger was appointed president of the Transvaal Milner concluded that there is no way out of the political troubles of S.A expect for reform in the Transvaal or war. Milner was remembered for taking Britain into the Boer war. He demanded full citizenship rights for the Uitlander after 5 years of residence. By the time of the Bloemfontein conference 1899 he had already decided to use force to get his way. Milner left his post as Governor of the Cape and took over administration of these areas annexed by the British e.g Orange free state. As high commissioner he negotiated the peace of Vereeniging. After the war he and young administrators and lawyers worked to resettle the Boers and pro,one economic growth. Milner and the British gov decided to use the Chinese labourers on 3 year contracts to make up the shortfall in workers in the gold mining industry and the British public was outraged to hear they were being treated badly. The contribution of the Chinese coolies probably contributed to the conservative election defeat in 1906. Milner resigned his Southern Africa posts and returned to England.
