The debate on the rise of the British Empire

This fascinating and highly useful book examines the rise of the British empire and the various debates among historians of imperialism over the past two hundred years. It discusses why the empire is so attractive to historians, why there is so much debate and controversy surrounding the subject, and how different generations of historians have read the various episodes in the history of the empire often radically differently. An engaging and useful work of historiography, this book will be essential reading for students of British imperialism attempting to get to grips with the subject.

Anthony Webster is Head of History at Edge Hill College of Higher Education.

General editor's foreword

vii

Preface

ix

The British empire: an enduring fascination

1

(12)

Justifying British imperialism: the changing rationale of the empire builders

13

(27)

Capitalism's critics and defenders: early twentieth-century economic explanations of Victorian British imperial expansion

40

(28)

Metropole, periphery and informal empire: the Gallagher and Robinson controversy of the 1950s and after

68

(25)

Cultural explanations of British imperialism I: post-colonial theory and its critics

93

(24)

Cultural explanations of British imperialism II: religion, race, gender and class

117

(27)

The metropole strikes back: the new debate about gentlemanly capitalism and empire, 1980--2004

144

(23)

The future of Britain's imperial history?

167

(17)

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The debate on the rise of the British Empire

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials