Imperial Wars 1815 1914

The Imperial Wars volume in the Encyclopedia of Warfare Series describes the wars and battles that took place during the height of European imperialism. A chronological guide to conflict on every continent in the century after the fall of Napoleon, the book covers from the South American Wars of Independence to the Mexican Revolution.

Part One: 1. The Foundations of Power, 1815-70. The project of an empire. Sea power and gunboat diplomacy. Economic hegemony. The white colonies and the problems of imperial organisation. Responsible government and colonial federations in the 1850s. 2. The Motives and Methods of Expansion, 1815-65. Racial attitudes. Anti-slavery and the humanitarian impulse. Economic and ideological motives for expansion. The theory and practice of global influence. 3. The Decline of British Pre-eminence, 1855-1900. The Indian Mutiny-Rebellion. A decade of crisis, 1855-65. The hardening of racial attitudes. The Irish protest. The growth of pessimism. Economic retardation. 4. The Search for Stability, 1880-1914. The partition of the world. Imperial Conferences. Chamberlain, the West Indies and Tariff reform. Defence and diplomacy. Schooling and scouting 5. The Dynamics of Empire and Expansion. Export of surplus emotional energy. The proconsular phenomenon. Props of empire-building: sport and secret societies. White skins, white masks: techniques of control. Part Two: 6. The American Challenge. Britain and the Great Experiment. Latin America. Relations with the United States in North America. Canada. 1815-50. Canadian confederation. The Myth of a 'Special relationship' with the United States. 7. The Indian problem. The importance of India. The Security of India. The imperial impact. The Indian-Mutiny-Rebellion. Economic developments after 1950. Political developments, 1880-1905. The Morley-Minto reforms. 8. Egypt and the routes to India: Palmerston and the regeneration of the Ottoman Empire. Egypt under Cronmer, 1883-1907. Changes in Egyptian administration 1906-14. 7. In tropical Africa: The period of minimum intervention: the west coast 1815-65. The partition of Africa; The bases of government policy 1895-1914. 10. The South-African question: Bantu developments: the Mfecane; Economic problems and the roots of segregation. Anglo-Boer relations: from Trek to Wat 1835-99. Post-war period of reconstruction 1902-07. The making of the Union. 11., Empire in the antipodes: The colonisation and economic development of Australia. Australian federation. New Zealand. The Pacific Islands. 12. Expansion in East Asia: Singapore, Malaya and Borneo; Brooke rule in Sarawak; A century of Anglo-Chinese confusion/ The Pattern of British influence in China; The opening and modernisation of Japan.

The twenty-six essays in this volume examine the changes in nineteenth-century European warfare in the period between the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815 and the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, from a variety of innovative and fresh perspectives.

This book provides a concise overview of the British Empire from its origins in the early nineteenth century, to its climax at mid-century, to its denouement on the eve of World War I. Considering the impact of imperial rule, Parsons explores themes of cross-cultural, social, and environmental interaction from a world history perspective.

This book provides a concise overview of the British Empire from its origins in the early nineteenth century, to its climax at mid-century, to its denouement on the eve of World War I. Considering the impact of imperial rule on subject peoples, Parsons explores the themes of cross-cultural social and environmental interaction from a world history perspective.

The causes of war have tended to attract more attention than the causes of peace, yet the two are intimately related, Indeed there was much talk of war during the unprecedentedly long periods of peace between the European great powers in the years 1815-1854 and again in 1871-1914, the Near Eastern crises of 1878 and 1887-8 being only two of the more notable examples. In the case of the latter, there occurred a spell of fatalistic and belligerent talk in both Berlin and Vienna which in many ways anticipated that which gripped those capitals by 1914. A study of the whole question of the best methods by which to defend and advance the national interest is often more illuminating on why wars were avoided that are studies of the documentation surrounding the Holy Alliance, the congress system or the Concert of Europe. It is clear that the Concert tended to become most active only after a war had already been fought, or when the powers had already decided that conflict was likely to prove too costly, dangerous and unpredicatable in its effects both at home and abroad. Thus the Russians twice advanced almost to the gates of Constantinople only to recoil at the implications of trying to obtain control of the Straits. Similarly, Habsburg thoughts of war were frequently neutralised by reminders of financial weakness. This valuable book will be welcomed by anyone wishing to understand the nature of European state relations in the nineteenth century. Professor Bartlett examines why major wars did happen and did not happen, with particular attention being paid to the events of 1914.

This book looks at the transition of wooden sailing fleets to the modern steel navy. It details the technological breakthroughs that brought about this change - steampower, armour, artillery and torpedoes, and looks at their affect on naval strategy and tactics. Part of the ever-growing and prestigious Warfare and History series, this book is a must for enthusiasts of military history.