The Oxford History of the British Empire: Volume III: The Nineteenth Century

The Oxford History of the British Empire #3

by Andrew N. Porter (Editor)

Volume III covers the long watershed of the nineteenth century, from the American independence of the 1780s to the eve of world war in 1914. This period saw Britain's greatest expansion as an empire-builder and a dominant world power.

We begin with several thematic chapters--some are on Britain while others consider the empire's periphery--exploring the key dynamics of British expansion that made imperial influence possible and imperial rule prevalent. The volume also studies the economic, cultural, and institutional frameworks that shaped Britain's overseas empire. Focus then shifts to the principal areas of imperial activity overseas, including both white-settler and tropical colonies, and the question of how British interests and imperial rule shaped the political, social, and economic histories of individual regions. The themes include economics, institutions, defense, technology, imperial and colonial cultures, science, and exploration. The volume examines not only the formal empire, stretching from Australasia and the West Indies to India and the African colonies, but also China and Latin America, which were the central components of Britain's "informal" empire.

About the Series :

The Oxford History of the British Empire is a major new assessment of the Empire in the light of recent scholarship and the progressive opening of historical records. It deals with the interaction of British and non-western societies from the Elizabethan era to the late twentieth century, provides a balanced treatment of the ruled as well as the rulers, and takes into account the significance of the Empire for the peoples of the British Isles. All five of the volumes in this series fully explore economic and social as well as political trends.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, British Literature

798 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 1999

About the author

A specialist in the history of the British Empire, Andrew Neil Porter earned his PhD at Cambridge University. After teaching at Manchester University as a lecturer, Porter moved to King’s College London in 1971, becoming professor in 1990, and Rhodes professor in 1993.

Reviews

[Colonel Sir Cedric Wycliffe-Hawthorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for The Oxford History of the British Empire: Volume III: The Nineteenth Century by Andrew N. Porter

The Oxford History of the British Empire: Volume III provides a meticulously detailed and comprehensive exploration of one of the most significant periods in the history of the British Empire. Covering the transformative years from the American Revolution and the independence movements of the 1780s to the eve of World War I, this volume examines how Britain’s empire evolved into its greatest period of power, influence, and territorial expansion.

Key Themes and Insights:

• British Imperial Expansion: The volume addresses the mechanics of British expansion during the nineteenth century, focusing on economic, cultural, and institutional factors that contributed to Britain’s dominance. It provides an in-depth analysis of the growth of the empire and the forces that drove British imperial ambitions, including the role of technology, trade, and exploration.

• The Global Reach of Empire: The book covers the broad geographical scope of the British Empire at its zenith, from the formal colonies in Australia, India, and Africa to the less formal holdings in China and Latin America. The themes of colonial exploitation, economic foundations, and imperial defense provide a detailed account of British control over vast parts of the world.

• Colonial Systems and Governance: Special attention is paid to the governance systems established across the empire, including settler colonies and tropical colonies. Porter explores the development of colonial institutions and how British imperial strategies shaped political and social structures within colonies.

• Economic and Social Frameworks: The volume also delves into the economic and social impacts of empire, highlighting how Britain’s imperialist policies affected not only the colonies but also the British Isles. Key issues of race, class, and economic inequalities are examined in detail, along with the colonial responses to British rule.

• The Nineteenth-Century Global Context: This volume positions the British Empire within the wider global context, showing how it interacted with other colonial powers and empires during this period. Porter emphasizes the importance of Britain’s imperial reach in shaping world events, including the rise of the British-dominated global economy, the impact of colonialism on international politics, and the way imperialism evolved in the late nineteenth century.

Final Verdict:

The Oxford History of the British Empire: Volume III offers an essential and sophisticated examination of the British Empire during the nineteenth century. The scholarly depth, combined with a focus on both the imperial core and its periphery, makes it a vital resource for those interested in understanding the complex dynamics of imperial expansion and the political, social, and economic trends that defined the era. This volume builds on the previous ones in the series and further explores how Britain’s global empire played a crucial role in shaping the modern world.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) — A thorough and insightful work that comprehensively explores the British Empire’s impact during its most expansive and formative period.

[Gareth Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful resource, containing all the information needed for studying the British Empire in the nineteenth century, with plenty more besides. The particular chapters/sections that have been most useful to me are as follows: Andrew N. Porter's thorough introduction, Peter Burroughs's 'Imperial Institutions and the Government of Empire', E. H. H. Green's 'The Political Economy of Empire, 1880-1914', and 'The British Occupation of Egypt from 1882'. Oh, and a full chronology at the back. As other reviewers have commented, the material is quite dry, but this book is strictly for serious engagement with imperial history.

[Colin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Informative but dry.

[William Hockey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was broken out into a collection of essays, they varied on quality. Definitely quite dense but informative overall.