Between the mid 1860s and 1900 Britain increased its African empire thirty-fold, to encompass nearly a third of the continent and half its population. This course examines a number of major themes including: domestic politics and the empire; "jingoism" and the popular culture of imperialism; the influence of businessmen and financiers; technology and imperialism; the role of explorers and missionaries: and the impact upon indigenous populations, such as the Asante and Zulu. Specific focus is placed on southern Africa, the careers of men like Cecil Rhodes and Alfred Milner, and the events leading to the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902.

R Robinson & J Gallagher, Africa and the Victorians (2nd ed, 1981)
R Hyam, Britain's Imperial Century, 1815-1914 (2nd ed, 1993)
I R Smith, The Origins of the South African War, 1899-1902 (1995)
R Oliver & J D Fage, A Short History of Africa, (6th ed, 1988)

Course Structure

Semester 1

1. Introduction
2. British and Other Empires of the Nineteenth Century
3. Mid-Victorian Imperialism: Empire and its Opponents
4. Bibles and Gatling Guns: Missionaries, Exploration and Racism
5. Egypt and the Origins of the Scamble for Africa
6. An Introduction to the Primary Sources (1)
7. From Trading Forts to Colonies: West Africa 1865-1904
8. Slaves, Sea-Ports and Missionaries: East Africa 1865-1904
9. Gentlemanly Capitalism, Foreign Investment and Imperialism
10. Cecil Rhodes and Sub-Imperialism in Southern Africa
11. Britain and the Fall of the Zulu Nation

Semester 2

1. An Introduction to the Primary Sources (2)
2. Social Imperialism: Domestic Politics, Jingoism and the Colonies
3. The Origins of the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902
4. Critics of Empire, from the Occupation of Egypt to the Boer War
5. The End of the Race? From Fashoda to the Entente Cordiale
6-11 Exercises with Primary Sources

Learning Outcomes