Imperialism and national efficiency

Imperialism and national efficiency

1. Support for the British Empire

   • Patriotic and pro-empire songs were produced
     • Land of Hope and Glory 1902
     • Transvaal 1899
   • Periodicals were popular and encouraged people to feel pride in the empire
     • Boy's Own Paper
     • Union Jack
   • Baden Powell (hero of Mafeking) established the Scouting movement in 1907 which promoted patriotic values

2. Criticisms of Britain's imperial role

   • Some believed that the war was fought to benefit the rich businessmen such as Cecil Rhodes who were in pursuit of gold mines.
   • Empire was portrayed as an enterprise to benefit rich men and not genuine national interest.
   • JA Hobson, the Manchester Guardian's correspondent, published an influential book criticizing the British Empire
     • Imperialism- A Study
   • Hobson claimed that the empire served the interests of a narrow elite of arms manufacturers, aristocrats and international financiers.
   • The book was widely read by left wind British writers and politicians
   • Hobson's book had some political impact on the 1906 elections.

3. The debate on national efficiency

   • Refers to the idea that Britain was losing it's position as the world's leading power in the late 19th and early 20th century.
   • Problems with recruitment to the army highlighted the problems with public health
   • 1/3 of volunteers were turned away because of their health.
   • In Manchester as many as 3/5 people were turned down
   • The worry was that poverty and poor physical condition would leave Britain unable to defend her empire.
   • These concerns were one of the motivations for Liberal Reforms.