11: Attitudes Towards Imperialism in Britain
Support for It was widely supported at all levels of society which could be seen in the Conservatives
Imperialism impressive win in the khaki election of 1900. Often seen as a moral responsibility, or even a
burden from God to bring stability, order, civilisation, welfare, the rule of law and freedom
from local oppression to the world. The liberals aimed at the education and improvement
of the colonies - with the ultimate purpose of self-rule. Both the liberals and the new labour
party supported freedom through empire rather than freedom from empire. Most
enthusiastic imperialists were conservatives, arguing in favour of a stronger, more united
empire to create an economic superpower. 'High Imperialists' wanted a strong empire
ruled by the white people. Non-white people were subjects and not citizens. Some sought
'colonial development' beyond the white colonies and India and favoured the policy of
imperial preference
Lord A moderate imperialist who believed European rule was important for the advancement
Salisbury of the 'backwards races'. He imposed rule by force e.g. Sudan 1896-99. He opposed
alliance commitments which he believed unnecessary and dangerous for Britain. His
foreign policy was dictated by the defence and enlargement of the Empire
Curzon Thought the Empire was 'so great an instrument for the good of humanity'
Chamberlain Believed only the Empire could solve the national crisis of the industrial and military
advances of other powers. Believed a reorganised empire would enable industrial
recovery, provide employment, generate wealth to fund social reforms and strengthen
the British people’s moral fibre. Believed educating the public about the value of empire
would win loyalty from the working class. Tried to create a strong union between Britain
and the colonies of settlement for the purposes of defence and trade but his ideas failed
to win widespread support
Lord Meath Spoke in more social terms and argued that state-organised emigration and colonisation
were essential to check the expansion of British cities and simultaneously strengthen the
Empire
Imperial Royal Colonial Institute, founded in 1870 to provide a meeting place for those interested in
Societies colonial and Indian affairs. The Victoria League, founded in 1901, was a non-political
organisation founded by women to promote a closer union between different parts of the
Empire through 'hospitality, fundraising, friendship and education'. Round Table movement
was founded in 1909 on an idea of Lord Milner, to promote a closer union between Britain
and its self-governing colonies. Round Table groups were formed in South Africa, Australia,
New Zealand and Canada in 1910 and 1911
John A Views were catalysed by the Boer War. Believed that imperial expansion benefited the
Hobson capitalists who made profit through investment. Believed this small and powerful elite
shaped imperial policy. Saw empire as a 'capitalist plot'
Emily Wrote reports which led to a government enquiry into the conditions in the British
Hobhouse concentration camps. This helped to tarnish the allure of imperialism and its supposed
civilising mission
Frederic A radical left-wing lawyer and historian who believed imperialism to be unethical
Harrison
William Writer and propagandist who served in India and set up the Indian political and General
Digby Agency in London to raise awareness about Indian grievances in the British Parliament
and press in 1888
Literature Rudyard Kipling shaped British attitudes before 1914. He had an almost religious belief in
Empire and filled his work with reference to Britain's higher goals e.g. The White Man's
Burden. Samuel Baker and G.A. Henty's tales of military campaigns proved bestsellers.
Mary Gaunt's novels focused on committed colonists such as missionaries, civil servants
and scientists. British India was the most popular setting and Anglo-Indian love stories
proliferated from the 1890s - Maud Diver wrote many accounts of British Romance and
heroism there
Music Henry Coward took a Sheffield Choir on a musical tour of the Dominions in 1911. 'Imperial'
ballads, patriotic hymns, stirring choral works and military marches were often performed.
Gilbert and Sullivan operas often conveyed a patriotic and imperialist message in a
humorous way. The imperial composer Elgar sought to stimulate ideas which captured the
nobility of the Empire in his pieces such as Imperial March, The Crown of India and The
Dream of Gerontius (about General Gordon)
Youth Robert Baden-Powell, hero of the Boer War, set up the Boy Scouts movement in 1908,
Movements followed by the girl guides in 1912. It was the most successful attempt to mobilise young
people behind imperial themes. Some groups had a Christian dimension e.g. The Non-
Support for It was widely supported at all levels of society which could be seen in the Conservatives
Imperialism impressive win in the khaki election of 1900. Often seen as a moral responsibility, or even a
burden from God to bring stability, order, civilisation, welfare, the rule of law and freedom
from local oppression to the world. The liberals aimed at the education and improvement
of the colonies - with the ultimate purpose of self-rule. Both the liberals and the new labour
party supported freedom through empire rather than freedom from empire. Most
enthusiastic imperialists were conservatives, arguing in favour of a stronger, more united
empire to create an economic superpower. 'High Imperialists' wanted a strong empire
ruled by the white people. Non-white people were subjects and not citizens. Some sought
'colonial development' beyond the white colonies and India and favoured the policy of
imperial preference
Lord A moderate imperialist who believed European rule was important for the advancement
Salisbury of the 'backwards races'. He imposed rule by force e.g. Sudan 1896-99. He opposed
alliance commitments which he believed unnecessary and dangerous for Britain. His
foreign policy was dictated by the defence and enlargement of the Empire
Curzon Thought the Empire was 'so great an instrument for the good of humanity'
Chamberlain Believed only the Empire could solve the national crisis of the industrial and military
advances of other powers. Believed a reorganised empire would enable industrial
recovery, provide employment, generate wealth to fund social reforms and strengthen
the British people’s moral fibre. Believed educating the public about the value of empire
would win loyalty from the working class. Tried to create a strong union between Britain
and the colonies of settlement for the purposes of defence and trade but his ideas failed
to win widespread support
Lord Meath Spoke in more social terms and argued that state-organised emigration and colonisation
were essential to check the expansion of British cities and simultaneously strengthen the
Empire
Imperial Royal Colonial Institute, founded in 1870 to provide a meeting place for those interested in
Societies colonial and Indian affairs. The Victoria League, founded in 1901, was a non-political
organisation founded by women to promote a closer union between different parts of the
Empire through 'hospitality, fundraising, friendship and education'. Round Table movement
was founded in 1909 on an idea of Lord Milner, to promote a closer union between Britain
and its self-governing colonies. Round Table groups were formed in South Africa, Australia,
New Zealand and Canada in 1910 and 1911
John A Views were catalysed by the Boer War. Believed that imperial expansion benefited the
Hobson capitalists who made profit through investment. Believed this small and powerful elite
shaped imperial policy. Saw empire as a 'capitalist plot'
Emily Wrote reports which led to a government enquiry into the conditions in the British
Hobhouse concentration camps. This helped to tarnish the allure of imperialism and its supposed
civilising mission
Frederic A radical left-wing lawyer and historian who believed imperialism to be unethical
Harrison
William Writer and propagandist who served in India and set up the Indian political and General
Digby Agency in London to raise awareness about Indian grievances in the British Parliament
and press in 1888
Literature Rudyard Kipling shaped British attitudes before 1914. He had an almost religious belief in
Empire and filled his work with reference to Britain's higher goals e.g. The White Man's
Burden. Samuel Baker and G.A. Henty's tales of military campaigns proved bestsellers.
Mary Gaunt's novels focused on committed colonists such as missionaries, civil servants
and scientists. British India was the most popular setting and Anglo-Indian love stories
proliferated from the 1890s - Maud Diver wrote many accounts of British Romance and
heroism there
Music Henry Coward took a Sheffield Choir on a musical tour of the Dominions in 1911. 'Imperial'
ballads, patriotic hymns, stirring choral works and military marches were often performed.
Gilbert and Sullivan operas often conveyed a patriotic and imperialist message in a
humorous way. The imperial composer Elgar sought to stimulate ideas which captured the
nobility of the Empire in his pieces such as Imperial March, The Crown of India and The
Dream of Gerontius (about General Gordon)
Youth Robert Baden-Powell, hero of the Boer War, set up the Boy Scouts movement in 1908,
Movements followed by the girl guides in 1912. It was the most successful attempt to mobilise young
people behind imperial themes. Some groups had a Christian dimension e.g. The Non-
