Imperialism in the Victorian Era
By Delaney Krall
Some of the items, characters, and situations in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland carry a resemblance to those of real world places other than Britain. This implies an influence on Lewis Carroll by the cultures of countries imperialized by the British Empire in the Victorian era.
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The British Empire expanded and colonized for the purposes of trading and- as they claimed- civilizing the less advanced people of the world. This is along with the simple desire to ground the British flag in as many places as possible. They were obsessed with sophistication and advancement in technology and power. British thought that by colonizing in other places, they could use and share native resources and inventions to help advance and educate the British society. In doing this, they could help the rest of the world with not being so barbaric and educate them about things the British knew.
After losing the thirteen American colonies in the late 18th century, the British felt the need to gain the land of other countries and its benefits. By the late 19th century, they possessed over twenty territories and composed about a fourth of the world’s population. They also ruled the trade industry with over half the overall merchant ships.
References:
Falgout, Avril. Personal interview. 9 April 2015.
Mitchell, Sally. Victorian Britain : An Encyclopedia / Sally Mitchell, Editor ... [Et Al.]. n.p.: New York : Garland Pub., 1988., 1988. GrayCat. Web. 18 May 2015.
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The British Empire expanded and colonized for the purposes of trading and- as they claimed- civilizing the less advanced people of the world. This is along with the simple desire to ground the British flag in as many places as possible. They were obsessed with sophistication and advancement in technology and power. British thought that by colonizing in other places, they could use and share native resources and inventions to help advance and educate the British society. In doing this, they could help the rest of the world with not being so barbaric and educate them about things the British knew.
After losing the thirteen American colonies in the late 18th century, the British felt the need to gain the land of other countries and its benefits. By the late 19th century, they possessed over twenty territories and composed about a fourth of the world’s population. They also ruled the trade industry with over half the overall merchant ships.
References:
Falgout, Avril. Personal interview. 9 April 2015.
Mitchell, Sally. Victorian Britain : An Encyclopedia / Sally Mitchell, Editor ... [Et Al.]. n.p.: New York : Garland Pub., 1988., 1988. GrayCat. Web. 18 May 2015.