Daniel van Staden - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Daniel van Staden

Britain found herself at a crossroads in the late nineteenth century. Since her victory over Fran... more Britain found herself at a crossroads in the late nineteenth century. Since her victory over France in 1815 she had been the undisputed global power, reigning over the era of the Pax Britannica. This dominance was not to last. Nations like the USA, Germany, Japan, Russia and France were also rapidly industrialising. They sought to expand their own empires whilst many began to see Britain's as a financial burden. After six years of Gladstonian Liberalism, Disraeli wanted to reinvigorate the Empire. When he came to power in 1874, he prioritised dazzling displays of imperial grandeur. Lord Carnarvon, his Colonial Secretary, had presided over the Canadian Confederation of 1867, helping to lift some of the burden of colonial administration from the Treasury. He sought to do the same in South Africa. He knew if the ends justified the means, Disraeli would have no objections. The annexation of the Transvaal was one of the most controversial decisions of Carnarvon's administration. His private correspondences show how he saw the region as a key strategic target, whilst publicly he defended the annexation as unavoidable, and even regrettable. This thesis, therefore, will examine his motives, his imperial agents, and his attempts to justify his policies.

Drafts by Daniel van Staden

University of the West of England, 2020

Britain found herself at a crossroads in the late nineteenth century. Since her victory over Fran... more Britain found herself at a crossroads in the late nineteenth century. Since her victory over France in 1815 she had been the undisputed global power, reigning over the era of the Pax Britannica. This dominance was not to last. Nations like the USA, Germany, Japan, Russia and France were also rapidly industrialising. They sought to expand their own empires whilst many began to see Britain’s as a financial burden. After six years of Gladstonian Liberalism, Disraeli wanted to reinvigorate the Empire. When he came to power in 1874, he prioritised dazzling displays of imperial grandeur. Lord Carnarvon, his Colonial Secretary, had presided over the Canadian Confederation of 1867, helping to lift some of the burden of colonial administration from the Treasury. He sought to do the same in South Africa. He knew if the ends justified the means, Disraeli would have no objections. The annexation of the Transvaal was one of the most controversial decisions of Carnarvon’s administration. His private correspondences show how he saw the region as a key strategic target, whilst publicly he defended the annexation as unavoidable, and even regrettable. This thesis, therefore, will examine his motives, his imperial agents, and his attempts to justify his policies.

University of the West of England, 2020

Britain found herself at a crossroads in the late nineteenth century. Since her victory over Fran... more Britain found herself at a crossroads in the late nineteenth century. Since her victory over France in 1815 she had been the undisputed global power, reigning over the era of the Pax Britannica. This dominance was not to last. Nations like the USA, Germany, Japan, Russia and France were also rapidly industrialising. They sought to expand their own empires whilst many began to see Britain’s as a financial burden. After six years of Gladstonian Liberalism, Disraeli wanted to reinvigorate the Empire. When he came to power in 1874, he prioritised dazzling displays of imperial grandeur. Lord Carnarvon, his Colonial Secretary, had presided over the Canadian Confederation of 1867, helping to lift some of the burden of colonial administration from the Treasury. He sought to do the same in South Africa. He knew if the ends justified the means, Disraeli would have no objections. The annexation of the Transvaal was one of the most controversial decisions of Carnarvon’s administration. His private correspondences show how he saw the region as a key strategic target, whilst publicly he defended the annexation as unavoidable, and even regrettable. This thesis, therefore, will examine his motives, his imperial agents, and his attempts to justify his policies.