British Imperialism and social Darwinism : C.L. Temple and colonial administration in Northern Nigeria, 1901-1916
This research examines the concept of Social. Darwinism in relation to British imperialism, with particular reference to Northern Nigeria and the administrative work of Charles Temple during the period 1901 ~ 1916. At the centre of previous portrayals of Temple and his career is the suggestion that he was an introspective and unusually speculative man, whose significance in the history of Northern Nigeria is limited to the contribution of some abstruse ideas of narrow relevance to the practical administration of colonial government. The existing historical accounts, which are often based on uncontextualised and sometimes casual appraisals of his book Native Races and Their Rulers, also suggest that Temple believed in minimal intervention into native communities. The result of these assessments has been that Temple's rationale for colonial rule (in particular his wish to protect indigenous communities from sudden or abrupt change) has been over- emphasised, whilst his advice on the practical implementation of this rationale has been largely ignored. Against this background Native Races can only be properly understood from a detailed analysis of its ideological and historical context. The relationship between
Alderman, Christopher John Finlay
History
British Imperialism and social Darwinism : C.L. Temple and colonial administration in Northern Nigeria, 1901-1916. This research examines the concept of Social. Darwinism in relation to British imperialism, with particular reference to Northern Nigeria and the administrative work of Charles Temple during the period 1901 ~ 1916. At the centre of previous portrayals of Temple and his career is the suggestion that he was an introspective and unusually speculative man, whose significance in the history of Northern Nigeria is limited to the contribution of some abstruse ideas of narrow relevance to the practical administration of colonial government. The existing historical accounts, which are often based on uncontextualised and sometimes casual appraisals of his book Native Races and Their Rulers, also suggest that Temple believed in minimal intervention into native communities. The result of these assessments has been that Temple's rationale for colonial rule (in particular his wish to protect indigenous communities from sudden or abrupt change) has been over- emphasised, whilst his advice on the practical implementation of this rationale has been largely ignored. Against this background Native Races can only be properly understood from a detailed analysis of its ideological and historical context. The relationship between
british_imperialism social darwinism temple colonial_administration northern_nigeria examines concept social darwinism relation british_imperialism particular_reference northern_nigeria administrative work charles temple period centre previous portrayal temple career suggestion introspective unusually speculative man whose significance history northern_nigeria limit idea narrow relevance practical administration colonial_government exist historical_account often base sometimes casual appraisal book native also_suggest temple believe minimal intervention native community assessment temple rationale colonial_rule particular wish protect indigenous_community sudden abrupt change over emphasise whilst advice practical implementation rationale largely_ignore background native properly understand detailed_analysis ideological historical_context relationship