~So many applications of science~ : novel technology in British Imperial culture during the Abyssinian and Ashanti Expeditions, 1868-1874
This thesis will examine the portrayal and reception of ânovelâ technology as constructed spectacle in the military and popular coverage of the Abyssinian (1868) and Ashanti (1873-4) expeditions. It will be argued that new and ânovelâ military technologies, such as the machine gun, Hale rocket, cartridge rifle, breach-loading cannon, telegraph, railway, and steam tractor, were made to serve symbolic roles in a technophile discourse that cast African expansion as part of a conquest of the natural world. There was a growing confidence in mid-Victorian Britain of the Empireâs dominant position in the world, focused particularly on technological development and embodied in exhibition culture. During the 1860s and â70s, this confidence was increasingly extended to the prospect of expansion into Africa, which involved a substantial development of the âideaâ of Africa in the British imagination. The public engagement with these two campaigns provides a window into this developing culture of imperial confidence in Britain, as well as the shifting and contested ideas of race, climate, and martial prowess. The expeditions also prompted significant changes to understandings of âsmall warsâ, a concept
Patterson, Ryan John
British Imperial ; British Empire ; British Africa ; Ashanti ; Abyssinia ; Napier ; Wolseley ; Victorian Newspaper ; Victorian military ; British military ; Military technology ; History of technology
~So many applications of science~ : novel technology in British Imperial culture during the Abyssinian and Ashanti Expeditions, 1868-1874. This thesis will examine the portrayal and reception of ânovelâ technology as constructed spectacle in the military and popular coverage of the Abyssinian (1868) and Ashanti (1873-4) expeditions. It will be argued that new and ânovelâ military technologies, such as the machine gun, Hale rocket, cartridge rifle, breach-loading cannon, telegraph, railway, and steam tractor, were made to serve symbolic roles in a technophile discourse that cast African expansion as part of a conquest of the natural world. There was a growing confidence in mid-Victorian Britain of the Empireâs dominant position in the world, focused particularly on technological development and embodied in exhibition culture. During the 1860s and â70s, this confidence was increasingly extended to the prospect of expansion into Africa, which involved a substantial development of the âideaâ of Africa in the British imagination. The public engagement with these two campaigns provides a window into this developing culture of imperial confidence in Britain, as well as the shifting and contested ideas of race, climate, and martial prowess. The expeditions also prompted significant changes to understandings of âsmall warsâ, a concept
many application science novel technology british_imperial culture examine portrayal reception novel technology construct spectacle military popular coverage expedition argue new novel military technology machine gun breach railway steam make serve symbolic_role discourse cast african expansion part conquest natural_world grow confidence mid_victorian britain empire dominant_position world focus_particularly technological_development embody exhibition culture confidence increasingly extend prospect expansion africa involve substantial development idea africa british imagination public_engagement campaign provide window develop culture imperial confidence britain well shift contest idea race climate martial expedition also prompt significant_change understanding small war concept