The British as absent-minded imperialists
Oliver Daniel
A British imperialism concerns the role the British people played in terms of forging the British empire and the extent to which they were aware of their imperial status. Bernard Porter in the ÂThe Absent-minded ImperialistsÊ, suggests that the majority of British people may in fact have been largely ignorant of the empireÊs existence. Through examining the effects of the British empire upon the people and culture, the peopleÊs role in developing the empire and the forces behind the creation of a British national identity, we can assess this view and in doing so also consider whether the British can really be referred to as imperialists at all. Historians who espouse this view often cite racial attitudes, an interest in maps, manufacturing and selling items, attending missionary lectures, visiting zoos and drinking tea as evidence of this. These mentalities manifest themselves clearly in the literature of the day. Jane AustenÊs Mansfield Park for example, demonstrates AustenÊs enthusiasm about overseas exploitation and the colonization of other countries (Mansfield Park is supported by overseas plantations). Similar influences can be seen in DickensÊ works. Empire day and the British Empire Wembley exhibitions seemingly demonstrated the peopleÊs celebration of their imperial culture. Bernard PorterÊs book however successfully demonstrates that this imperial culture was not necessarily present, that there are alternative explanations for all these mentalities. In order to assess the extent to which it is possible that these mentalities are indeed manifestations of previously underlying views, we must also consider the recent debate regarding It is often argued that there existed an Âimperial mentalityÊ within Britain.
question of British national identity under the empire.
Linda ColleyÊs ÂForging the NationÊ builds upon Benedict AndersonÊs ÂImagined CommunitiesÊ. As the name suggests, proponents of this view argue that following the 1707 Act of Union, a British imperial identity was superimposed upon much older mentalities, largely as a result of Protestantism and war with France. If this is true and an imperial mentality didnÊt develop in Britain, it would seemingly support the argument that the British public was absent minded imperialists and that the British publicÊs mentalities were indeed based upon previously underlying views. In order to assess the extent to which this was the case we must consider ColleyÊs argument in more detail. Colley begins by citing Protestantism as a major reason for the early development of our national identity. Protestant Britons, she contends, came to have a distinct idea of themselves Âonly through recurrent and protracted conflict with a Catholic otherÊ, usually France. As distrust of Catholic France increased, a jingoistic culture began to emerge in the early 18th century and Britain waged war against Catholicism all round the world, gaining victories in the 9 Years War, War of Spanish Succession, Austrian Succession and the Seven Years War. It was seen as no mere coincidence to the British that the only real debacle (the American War of Independence) was fought against a Protestant foe. Consequently the British interpretation was that it was the expulsion of Stuart princes and the uniting of England, Wales and Scotland under the Protestant dynasty that transformed Britain's world status. Therefore it can be argued that it was this Protestantism combined with a
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