| Joseph Chamberlain
● Believed effective use of Empire could sustain British prosperity and prestige. Believed imperial bonds needed reinforcing if Empire was to be preserved or if Britain wanted to stay as world power. ● Built Ugandan Railway, annexed Ashantiland to Gold Coast, acquired Royal NIger Company, oversaw Jameson raid and Boer War. ● In Colonial Conferences of 1897 and 1902, he proposed an imperial defence and customs union between self-governing colonies. ● Viewed as national hero during Boer War initially but as it dragged along, he was passed over for PM by Balfour in 1903. Resigned as Colonial Secretary and formed Tariff Reform League on importance of duty-free imperial market. |
Cecil Rhodes ● Believed Britain could civilise world. Helped establish British South Africa Company in 1889 after First Boer War and eventually called it Rhodesia in 1895. ● Wanted to link Cape to British-dominated Sudan and Egypt. Annexed Bechuanaland in 1885 in hopes of establishing railway line from South to North Africa. ● Resigned from post as Prime Minister in 1896 after Jameson raid. |
| Evelyn Baring
● Consul-General in Egypt between 1883 and 1907. Saw himself as moral reformer just as much as administrator. Believed long occupation of Egypt was essential and established ‘Granville Doctrine’ allowing Baring to dismiss Egyptian ministers who refused to accept British directives. ● Placed British officials in key ministries and created veiled protectorate until 1907. Replaced army with British soldiers, dealt with budget, promoted irrigation projects (Aswan Dam) and helped bring economic prosperity. Tewfiq was happy to let him do so. ● When Tewfiq died, new Khedive wanted to overthrow British rule. Encouraged nationalist movement but Baring bullied him into submission. Regardded Egypt as something of battleground between civilised Christianity and Islam. Saw Islam as outdated Arab customs detrimental to modern Egypt. ● Took action to stop slave supply, discourage slave-ownership, abolish forced labour, outlaw punishment by use of kurbash, halt import of hashish by establishing Camel Corps, regulate alcohol sales licenses, stop gambling and money-lending. ● Forced to resign in 1906 after Denshawai incident, where locals were hung. Granted £50,000 concession by Parliament for his work in Egypt and devoted rest of live to a group protecting women’s rights. |
Alfred Milner
● Administrator that had served in Egypt and as chairman of Board of Inland Revenue. Ardent imperialist and hand-picked by Chamberlain to be HIgh Commissioner of Southern Africa from 1897. ● In 1898, when Kruger was elected president of Transvaal, he said ‘there is no way out of the political troubles of South Africa except for reform or war’. ● Founded some English-speaking ‘Milner Schools’ in Pretoria but mostly remembered for taking Britain into Boer War. ● Demanded full citizenship rights for Uitlanders after 5 years residence and by time of Bloemfontein Conference in 1899, he’d decided to declare war by October. ● Left position as Governor of Cape and took adminstration of areas of former Boer territories and Orange Free State annexed by Britain in 1901. ● Negotiated Peace of Vereenignig in 1902 alongside Lord Kitchener, the military commander, and he was made a baron in 1901 and a viscount in 1902 for his services. ● Had a group of young administrators and lawyers known as ‘Milner’s Kindergarten’ working to resettle Boers and promote economic growth. Hoped to attract British settlers and introduce English language education however more British residents left than arrived. British government decided to use Chinese labourers on three-year contracts and they arrived in 1904 to fix shortfall in gold-mining however they were mistreated. ● In March 1906, a move was made to censure Milner but a counter-campaign by Bartle Frere expressed gratitude for his services. Ultimately, his treatment of the coolies contributed to the Conservatives losing in 1906. |
| Viceroy Curzon
● Viceroy of India. Concern about Russian expansion led him to create North-West Frontier Province in 1901 and to dispatch military expedition into Tibet. ● Believed in moral imperial duty, certain of ‘the hand of Divine Providence behind the creation and expansion of an empire which is a supreme force for good in the world’. ● As Viceroy, worked to strengthen British India and appease them. Established commissions and legislation to improve India’s administration, like allowing Indian National Congress in 1895, establishing Commerce and Industry Department and Agricultural Department. ● Expanded provincial police, built 6000 miles of railway track to consolidate British rule in India, promoted medical and scientific education. Founded Imperial Cadet Corps to give Indian nobles a military role and prospect of officer commissions. Restored Taj Mahal in 1904 as ode to Indian culture. ● Believed by dividing Bengal in 1905, he’d weaken Raj’s internal enemies. |
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