The strange death of the liberal empire : Lord Selborne in South Africa

David Torrance examines Lord Selborne's conception of empire and, by implication, the nature of British imperialism, focusing on the Chinese labour controversy, the self-government issue, the development of racial segregation, and the creation of the Union of South Africa. He reassesses the role of the imperial factor in shaping the state, economy, and society of twentieth-century South Africa. Behind the debate over imperial policy, Torrance shows, were deep and bitter divisions that were inextricably linked to domestic tensions within Britain itself. The Strange Death of the Liberal Empire provides a clearer understanding of British imperial policy and of a crucial period in South African history. David Torrance Examines Lord Selborne's Conception Of Empire And, By Implication, The Nature Of British Imperialism, Focusing On The Chinese Labour Controversy, The Self-government Issue, The Development Of Racial Segregation, And The Creation Of The Union Of South Africa. He Reassesses The Role Of The Imperial Factor In Shaping The State, Economy, And Society Of Twentieth-century South Africa. Behind The Debate Over Imperial Policy, Torrance Shows, Were Deep And Bitter Divisions That Were Inextricably Linked To Domestic Tensions Within Britain Itself. Map Of Southern Africa, 1908 -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Lord Selborne's Early Life And Career -- 3. Abandoned By London: Selborne And The Chinese Labour Controversy -- 4. Bleak Prospects: Selborne And The Constitutional Settlement -- 5. Brighter Prospects: The Labour Crisis, Imperial Obstruction, And Afrikaner Assistance -- 6. Exploitation, Protest, And Autocratic Rule: Selborne And African Policy -- 7. South African Disunion: Selborne, The Railway Crisis, And Constructive Solutions -- 8. Selborne's Memorandum: The High Commissioner Strikes Back -- 9. The Union Of South Africa -- 10. Conclusion. David E. Torrance. Originally Presented As The Author's Thesis (ph.d) Queen's University, 1987. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [259]-276) And Index. Part biography and part study of imperialism, The Strange Death of the Liberal Empire is an examination of Lord Selborne's career as high commissioner for South Africa from 1905 to 1910. David Torrance examines Lord Selborne's conception of empire and, by implication, the nature of British imperialism, focusing on the Chinese labour controversy, the self-government issue, the development of racial segregation, and the creation of the Union of South Africa. He reassesses the role of the imperial factor in shaping the state, economy, and society of twentieth-century South Africa. Behind the debate over imperial policy, Torrance shows, were deep and bitter divisions that were inextricably linked to domestic tensions within Britain itself. - Jacket. "David Torrance examines Lord Selborne's conception of empire and, by implication, the nature of British imperialism, focusing on the Chinese labour controversy, the self-government issue, the development of racial segregation, and the creation of the Union of South Africa. He reassesses the role of the imperial factor in shaping the state, economy, and society of twentieth-century South Africa. Behind the debate over imperial policy, Torrance shows, were deep and bitter divisions that were inextricably linked to domestic tensions within Britain itself."--Résumé de l'éditeur Map of Southern Africa, 1908 Introduction Lord Selborne's early life and career Abandoned by London : Selborne and the Chinese labour controversy Bleak prospects : Selborne and the constitutional settlement Brighter prospects : the labour crisis, imperial obstruction, and Afrikaner assistance Exploitation, protest, and autocratic rule : Selborne and African policy South African disunion : Selborne, the railway crisis, and constructive solutions Selborne's Memorandum : the High Commissioner strikes back The Union of South Africa Conclusion Epilogue Appendix : Biographical notes Combining political biography with a study of imperialism, this is an examination of Lord Selborne's career as High Commissioner for South Africa from 1905 to 1910. The author aims to provide a clearer understanding of British imperial policy and of a crucial period in South African history.