Understanding the British Empire

A study of key themes in the history of the British Empire by one of the senior figures in the field.

Ronald Hyam (Author)

9780521115223, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 20 May 2010

576 pages, 24 b/w illus. 7 maps
23.5 x 15.2 x 0.4 cm, 1.02 kg

'Hyam has written a diverse and distinguished book that presents the reader with a depth of understanding second to none. That he has done this with an almost quirky professionalism is testament not only to his skill as a writer but indeed his unquestionable knowledge of empire.' History Teaching Review

Understanding the British Empire draws on a lifetime's research and reflection on the history of the British Empire by one of the senior figures in the field. Essays cover six key themes: the geopolitical and economic dynamics of empire, religion and ethics, imperial bureaucracy, the contribution of political leaders, the significance of sexuality, and the shaping of imperial historiography. A major new introductory chapter draws together the wider framework of Dr Hyam's studies and several new chapters focus on lesser known figures. Other chapters are revised versions of earlier papers, reflecting some of the debates and controversies raised by the author's work, including the issue of sexual exploitation, the European intrusion into Africa, including the African response to missionaries, trusteeship, and Winston Churchill's imperial attitudes. Combining traditional archival research with newer forms of cultural exploration, this is an unusually wide-ranging approach to key aspects of empire.

Introduction: perspectives, policies, and people
Part I. Dynamics: Geopolitics and Economics: 1. The primacy of geopolitics: the dynamics of British imperial policy, 1763–1963
2. The partition of Africa: geopolitical and internal perspectives
3. The empire in a comparative global context, 1815–1914
4. The myth of 'gentlemanly capitalism'
Part II. Ethics and Religion: 5. Peter Peckard, 'universal benevolence', and the abolition of the slave trade
6. The view from below: the African response to missionaries
Part III. Bureaucracy and Policy-making: 7. Bureaucracy and trusteeship in the colonial empire
8. Africa and the Labour government, 1945–51
9. John Bennett and the end of empire
Part IV. Great Men: 10. Winston Churchill's first years in ministerial office, 1905–11
11. Churchill and the colonial empire
12. Smuts in context: Britain and South Africa
Part V. Sexuality: 13. Empire and sexual opportunity
14. Penis envy and 'penile othering' in the colonies and America
15. Concubinage and the Colonial Service: Silberrad and the Crewe Circular (1909)
16. Greek love in British India: Captain Searight's manuscript
Part VI. Imperial Historians: 17. Imperial and Commonwealth history at Cambridge, 1881–1981: founding fathers and pioneer research students
18. The Oxford and Cambridge imperial history professoriate, 1919–81: Robinson and Gallagher and their predecessors
Published writings of Ronald Hyam on imperial history.

Subject Areas: Colonialism & imperialism [HBTQ], 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW], Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], British & Irish history [HBJD1]