Africa and the Victorians : the official mind of imperialism

"Imperialism in the eyes of the world is still Europe's original sin, even though the empires themselves have long since disappeared. Among the most egregious of imperial acts was Victorian Britain's seemingly random partition of Africa. In this classic work of history, a standard text for generations of students and historians now again available, the authors provide a unique account of the motives that went into the continent's partition. Distrusting mechanistic explanations in terms of economic growth or the European balance, the authors consider the intentions in the minds of the partitioners themselves. Decision by decision, the reasoning of Prime Ministers Gladstone, Salisbury and Rosebery, their advisors and opponents, is carefully analysed. The result is a history of 'imperialism in the making', not as it appeared to later commentators and historians, but as the empire-makers themselves experienced it from day to day. Featuring a new Foreword by Wm. Roger Louis, this new edition brings a classic work to a new generation and is essential reading for all students of nineteenth-century history."--Bloomsbury Publishing. Imperialism in the eyes of the world is still Europe's original sin, even though the empires themselves have long since disappeared. Among the most egregious of imperial acts was Victorian Britain's seemingly random partition of Africa. In this classic work of history, a standard text for generations of students and historians now again available, the authors provide a unique account of the motives that went into the continent's partition. Distrusting mechanistic explanations in terms of economic growth or the European balance, the authors consider the intentions in the minds of the partitioners themselves. Decision by decision, the reasoning of Prime ministers Gladstone, Salisbury and Rosebery, their advisors and opponents, is carefully analysed. The result is a history of 'imperialism in the making', not as it appeared to later commentators and historians, but as the empire-makers themselves experienced it from day to day. Featuring a new introduction by Wm. Roger Louis, this new edition will bring a classic work to a new generation and will be essential reading for all students of nineteenth-century history. Book jacket Introduction by Wm. Roger Louis -- Explanation -- Preface -- The Spirit of Victorian Expansion -- Moral Suasion over Guinea and Zanzibar, 1815-1880 -- The Revolt of the Afrikaner, 1877-1881 -- The Suez Crisis, 1882 -- Gladstone's Bondage in Egypt -- Repercussions south of the Sahara -- Rhodes' Counterpoise, 1887-1891 -- Cairo or Constantinople? 1885-1890 -- New Frontiers of Insecurity -- Salisbury's Watch on the Nile, 1890 -- Uganda, the Rout of Liberalism -- The Way to Fashoda -- 'Imperialist' Beginnings in West Africa -- South Africa: Another Canada or another United States? -- Nationalism and Imperialism -- Afterthoughts -- Index Ronald Robinson And John Gallagher ; With Alice Denny ; With A Foreword By Wm. Roger Louis. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.