The British Empire: Colonial Commerce and “ The White Man’s Burden”

Joseph Chamberlain

The British Empire: Colonial Commerce and “ The White Man’s Burden”

Thesis:

· Joseph Chamberlain (1836-1914)

o British imperialist that argued the welfare of the Britain depended upon the preservation and extension of the empire.

o British Empire had a sacred duty to carry civilization to, Christianity, and British law to the “backwards” people of Africa and Asia.

· June 10, 1896 The Empire is based on commerce and cannot survive without it and should guard it from attack.

· March 31, 1897 The Empire cannot survive without its dependencies which are it natural markets for trade, half the British population would starve if the size of British Empire was reduced to the size of United Kingdom.

· January 22, 1894 England is entirely unable to support the enormous population, which is now maintained by the aid of her foreign trade.

· Pax Britannica

o March 31, 1897 Rule over these territories can only be justified if we can show that it adds to the happiness and prosperity of the people.

o Material improvement of the conquered peoples

o You cannot have omelettes without breaking eggs; you cannot destroy the practice of barbarism, of slavery, of superstition

o Britain has mission to civilize the barbarian of the world because of its importance.