Pride and Propaganda

What pride did British people have in the Empire?

During the 19th century, the British Empire covered a large part of the world. It was celebrated in England, and was the envy of the other world powers.

What role did the Queen's Jubilee play in increasing pride in the British Empire?

In 1887, Queen Victoria celebrated her Jubilee, with huge celebrations in the streets of Britain. A range of souvenirs were made, such as commemorative plates, teacups, and spoons. This made the British people proud of the empire.

What was Queen Victoria proud of about the British Empire?

Queen Victoria was very proud of the British Empire because of the following reasons:

• ❖ It grew rapidly during her reign.
• ❖ She was well aware of the wealth that it brought to Britain.
• ❖ She believed that the British Empire was 'protecting the poor natives and advancing civilisation', by bringing their Christian values to these lands.
• ❖ British people were loyal to the queen and were very patriotic. This made people enthusiastic towards the empire, and the government knew that the British people would support expansion of the empire.

How did the government use propaganda to increase pride in the British Empire?

The government used propaganda to increase people's enthusiasm for the empire in a number ways:

• ❖ Commemorative plates showed pictures of the size and wealth of the empire. They displayed the amounts of goods that were imported.
• ❖ Bars of soap, and tins of biscuits, were covered in images of the empire.
• ❖ Public art exhibitions displayed the heroes and heroic events of imperial expansion.
• ❖ School children learned stories about the wonders of the British Empire. The learned about the empire's heroes, and were told about Britain's 'duty' to rule the world.
• ❖ Poems and songs with an imperial theme were performed.
• ❖ The British Empire League, and the British Colonial Society were set up promote loyalty towards the British Empire.