The impact of reporting the war on British public opinion Flashcards
What gave the British public different views of the war?
There was close interest, people whose families had migrated to South Africa, families with soldiers serving with the army, newspaper and magazine coverage with reporting following soon after events with books from participants and observers
Which battle had the most significant effect on public opinion?
Spion Kop
What caused Spion Kop to have a significant effect on public opinion?
Photos of dead British soldiers showed the realities of war. Publications like âIllustrated London Newsâ showed this. âThe Timesâ commented that the absence of. a plan caused issues.
What did the Times comment about Spion Kop?
That the absence of what it called a reasoned plan meant the country and army was paying a heavy price
What were newspapers critical of in Spion Kop?
Buller and the general strategy and attitude of the government to offers of help from colonies
How did the British army assess the changes needed to its approach after Black week?
The British deficiency in cavalry and mounted infantry was addressed, and the ineffectiveness of traditional tactics reviewed. Better intelligence was needed, with a more methodical approach.
What changes were made to the British approach after Black Week?
A recruitment drive was mounted throughout the Empire for able-bodied young men, especially horsemen. Over-reliance on the railways, a potential weakness, was remedied by using more armoured trains. The new commander, Roberts, was known for his insistence on efficient transport and supply.
How did the replacement of Sir âReverseâ Buller impact the public opinion?
Robertâs was a hero of the Indian Munity and Afghan wars, Kitchener was fresh from victories in Sudan.
This boosted moral and newspapers welcomed it
What was Churchillâs time in the army like?
Joined in 1895 at 21, saw action in Cuba, India and the Sudan. He left the army in 1899 to stand for parliament but failed to win a seat
What job did Churchill get when the Second Boer War broke out?
With the Morning Post as itâs war correspondent and sailed from South Africa on the ship carrying Buller
What initially made Churchill a minor hero in Britain from being in South Africa?
He helped to rescue an ambushed armoured train and was captured by the Boers but managed to escape
What did Churchill do right after re-joining the army?
He was one of the first British soldiers into Ladysmith and Pretoria
After returning to Britain in 1900, what did Churchill get elected for?
MP for Oldham in the Khaki election
What were Churchillâs reports like overall?
Uncensored but generally supportive, however they revealed deficiencies. Recognised Boer skills but still believed Britain would win
What was the impact of Churchillâs reports?
Live,y journalism made it feel like people were close to action. It shapes and i formed opinions at home. Photos and an immediate impact showing the horrors
What were reports of victories like the Relief of Mafeking like after Black Week?
Sparked flag-waving jubilation in the streets and in theatres and music halls with optimism. âMaffiking became a (short-lived) new word for street celebrations. Popular culture tended to be patriotic and pro-army, supporting the soldiers far away. Boer War songs included the popular music-hall songs âTararaboomdeeayâ and âGoodbye Dolly Gray,
How did public opinion change when there were army failures?
Public opinion, which had been pro-war at the beginning, but then dipped into gloom and anger after the military failures, swung once more. There was a grudging respect for the Boers, as brave and determined fighters. But reports of the battlefield confusion and carnage, as at Spion Kop, gave people a darker picture.
As war continued, how did the press become less supportive?
There were questions about Spion Kop, why the sieges took so long to be lifted, why the army couldnât defeat guerillas, why troops suffered shortages and about concentration camps
Who helped to found the Stop the War Committee in 1899?
Journalist W.T. Stead, a former supporter of Rhodes
What happened in The Review of Reviews in January 1902?
Stead launched a scathing attack on the plight of children in camps claiming that with the low amount of rations they were giving them the authorities were essentially murdering them.
What was the impact on public attitudes of The Review of Reviews in January 1902?
Caused growing unease about the policy towards Boer families
What was the British government during the SBW?
A coalition between Conservatives and the Liberal Unionists
How did the Khaki election come about?
Prime minister Lord Salisbury called an early election in autumn 1900. The war was a key issue and many candidates were army officers
What was the outcome of the Khaki election?
The press was broadly supportive of government policy and Salisbury won with 51% of the vote and 402 supporters of the government
How did the Conservatives feel about the war?
By large in favour of the war
How did the Liberals feel about the war?
They were split with prominent leaders like Asquith, Grey and Rosebery in favour of the war while radicals led by Lloyd George were opposed
What did Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman feel about the war as a liberal?
He tried to hold Liberals together but spoke against its darker side
What impact did a report about the concentration camps from Emily Hobhouse, a British activist have on public opinion?
It shifted public opinion to be more critical
What did Emily Hobhouse do in June 1900?
Spoke against the war at protest meetings, and a rally in London in June 1900, when women protested against the actions of the British army in South Africa.
What did Emily Hobhouse do in September 1900?
She founded the South African Women and Children Distress Fund to collect money for Boer families.
What did Emily Hobhouse do in December 1900?
On 7 Dec 1900, she left for South Africa with a letter of introduction to Alfred Milner, the British high commissioner, who offered help.
What did Emily Hobhouse find people needed in the concentration camps?
Food as the rations were inadequate and selective, meat wasnât given to women and children, there were few vegetables, no fresh milk and many were dying. There were also very unsanitary conditions
