Imperialism Collection

World Map Empire McVitie
A map of the world, showing the British Empire coloured in red at the end of the nineteenth century

The British Empire
Citizens of the British Empire, the Greatest Empire the World has ever known

Death to World Imperialism, poster, 1919. Artist: Dmitriy Stakhievich Moor
Death to World Imperialism, poster, 1919. Found in the collection of the Russian State Library, Moscow

PAXTON, Joseph (1801-1865). Crystal Palace. 1851. First building with revolutionary modular, prefabricated design, and use of glass. Built for the Universal Exhibition of 1851 in Hyde Park, London

Longest Day at Stonehenge, Wiltshire
People gathering at Stonehenge, Wiltshire on the longest day of the year, on or near 21 June 1912. This photograph shows a daybreak pilgrimage by members of The Universal Bond of the Sons of Men

Treaty of Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi: Maori chiefs recognise British sovereignty and New Zealand becomes part of the British Empire. This was designed to guarantee land rights to the Maoris

British Empire Marketing Board poster - Takoradi Harbour
Native Chiefs in Palaver, Takoradi Harbour in Ghana, West Africa. Native chiefs meeting a British official or governor of the area during a period when large parts of Africa still formed part of

British Empire Map 1902
Map showing the extent of the British Empire in 1902 - the Empire on which the sun never sets !

Zulu War Britannia 1879
British Imperialism symbolically represented at the time of the Zulu War

Edward VIII Hunting
EDWARD VIII, When Prince of Wales, photographed in India with some of the Bag after a successful days Pig Sticking (hunting wild boar)

Edward VIII & Patailas
EDWARD VIII When Prince of Wales, meeting Pataila soldiers who lost limbs whilst on active service during World War One

Edward VIII in Nepal
EDWARD VIII As Prince of Wales, travelling by elephant in Nepal

Imperialism Ww1
Napoleon to Edward VII: " I wanted to create a French Empire, you a British one -- now theres going to be a German one!"

British Empire Plate
Commemorative plate celebrating Victorias Golden Jubilee and the British Empire

Of the Imperial Cadet Corps, 1903. Artist: Mortimer L Menpes
Of the Imperial Cadet Corps, 1903. From The Durbar, by Mortimer Menpes. Text by Dorothy Menpes. [Adam and Charles Black, London, 1903]

Major General Sir Bindon Blood, British soldier, 1902. Artist: Elliott & Fry
Bindon Blood, British soldier, 1902. Blood (1842-1940), commanding Meerut District, Bengal, was one of the few officers to see action in both the Zulu and Afghan campaigns of 1879

Captain James Cook taking possession of New South Wales in the name of the British Crown, 1770. James Cook (1728-1779), English explorer, navigator and hydrographer, made three voyages of discovery

The Rhodes Colossus, 1892 Artist: Edward Linley Sambourne
The Rhodes Colossus, 1892. Cecil Rhodes (1853-1902), English-born South African businessman and statesman, shown striding across Africa from Cape Town to Cairo with a telegraph wire

Cecil Rhodes in South Africa, 1900
Cecil John Rhodes, British colonial administrator, on his verandah near Cape Town, South Africa, c. 1900. Hand-colored halftone reproduction of a photograph

White men bringing cleanliness to native cultures, 1890s
" White mans burden" is to teach cleanliness, described in a Pears Soap ad, 1890s. Hand-colored halftone reproduction of a 19th-century illustration

British Viceroy of India entering Delhi, 1902
Lord Curzon, British Viceroy of India, entering Delhi on an elephant, with Lady Curzon, 1902. Photograph

WORLD MAP / 1897
Map of the world showing British Empire possessions

Cartoon, My Boys! (British Lion)
Cartoon, My Boys! An imperialist depiction of the British Lion proudly commanding his Australian and Canadian cubs. Date: 1885

Map of Africa, 1902. Creator: Unknown
Map of Africa, 1902. Showing colonial possessions including French West Africa and German South West Africa, with insets of Table Bay in South Africa, and British and German East Africa

Isandhlwana: The Dash with the Colours, 1879, (c1880). Episode of the Anglo-Zulu Wars (1879-1896). From British Battles on Land and Sea, Vol. IV, by James Grant

Plan of the Defences at Rorkes Drift, (Jan. 22, 1879), c1880
Plan of the Defences at Rorkes Drift (Jan. 22, 1879), c1880. Episode of the Anglo-Zulu Wars (1879-1896). From British Battles on Land and Sea, Vol. IV, by James Grant

Plan of the Marches near Isandhlwana between Jan. 12th and 22nd, 1879, c1880. From British Battles on Land and Sea, Vol. IV, by James Grant. [Cassell Petter & Galpin, London, Paris & Melbourne, c1880]

Illustration, A Song of the English, Thames Embankment
Illustration to A Song of the English, a patriotic set of poems by Rudyard Kipling (first published in the English Illustrated Magazine)

Map Of The World Showing In Red The Extent Of The British Empire In 1901

In the Temple of Amritsar, 1905. Artist: Mortimer Luddington Menpes
In the Temple of Amritsar, 1905. From India, by Mortimer Menpes. Text by Flora A. Steel. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1905]

A Native Bullock-cart, 1905. Artist: Mortimer Luddington Menpes
A Native Bullock-cart, 1905. From India, by Mortimer Menpes. Text by Flora A. Steel. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1905]

Leisure Hours, 1905. Artist: Mortimer Luddington Menpes
Leisure Hours, 1905. From India, by Mortimer Menpes. Text by Flora A. Steel. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1905]

The Red Shutter, 1905. Artist: Mortimer Luddington Menpes
The Red Shutter, 1905. From India, by Mortimer Menpes. Text by Flora A. Steel. [Adam & Charles Black, London, 1905]

Insignia of the Order of the British Empire, 1953. The piece is part of the Royal Collection at the Tower of London. From The Crown Jewels, by Martin Holmes FSA

Britannia and her Pets
Britannia and her pets, the British lion and the Indian tiger are ready to take on Afghanistan

Signing the Treaty of Waitangi (colour litho)
2800140 Signing the Treaty of Waitangi (colour litho) by McCormick, Arthur David (1860-1943); Private Collection; (add.info.: Signing the Treaty of Waitangi)

TO THE RESCUE ! Lord Charles Beresford relieves Sir Charles Wilson on the Nile island of Meruat Date: 1885

Map of French possessions and spheres of influence in Africa
CHT206391 Map of French possessions and spheres of influence in Africa and a view of the river Senegal, cover of a school exercise book, late 19th century (colour engraving) by Dascher, G

Juan Martin Diez El Empecinado (the Undaunted) defeats a column of French soldiers in the Battle of Retortillo, Spanish War of Independence 1808-1813

Plan of the Battle of Isandhlwana, (Jan. 22, 1879), c1880. From British Battles on Land and Sea, Vol. IV, by James Grant. [Cassell Petter & Galpin, London, Paris & Melbourne, c1880]

There Was A Hand-To-Hand Struggle, 1902. Artist: WR Wollen
There Was A Hand-To-Hand Struggle, 1902. In the aftermath of their victory at the Battle of Isandlwana, the Zulus mounted an attack on the British border post at Rorkes Drift

Landing Troops at the Khedives Palace at Alexandria after the Bombardment, 1882, (c1882-1885)
Landing Troops at the Khedives Palace at Alexandria after the Bombardment, 1882, (c1882-85). Episode of the Anglo-Egyptian War (1882). From British Battles on Land and Sea, Vol. IV, by James Grant

British Empire throughout the World (coloured engraving)
XCF275033 British Empire throughout the World (coloured engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

French cartoon depicting events surrounding diplomatic efforts to convene the Algeciras Conference of 1906 took place
5617194 French cartoon depicting events surrounding diplomatic efforts to convene the Algeciras Conference of 1906 took place in Algeciras, Spain, and lasted from 16 January to 7 April

French cartoon depicting the Kaiser Wilhelm II trespassing into Morocco. The Algeciras Conference of 1906 took place in
5617192 French cartoon depicting the Kaiser Wilhelm II trespassing into Morocco. The Algeciras Conference of 1906 took place in Algeciras, Spain, and lasted from 16 January to 7 April

French illustration symbolising Anglo-French rivalry in Africa 1904
5617172 French illustration symbolising Anglo-French rivalry in Africa 1904; (add.info.: 02/02/1904); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Sign posts in Jerusalem, indicating Jaffa, Ramleh, Bethlehem, Hebron and speed limit warnings of 8 miles per hour in
DGC418697 Sign posts in Jerusalem, indicating Jaffa, Ramleh, Bethlehem, Hebron and speed limit warnings of 8 miles per hour in four languages (English, French, Arabic and Hebrew)

Anatoly Stoessel, Russian general and commander of the defence of Port Arthur, Russo-Japanese War, 1904 (litho)
8655566 Anatoly Stoessel, Russian general and commander of the defence of Port Arthur, Russo-Japanese War, 1904 (litho) by Begg

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"Imperialism: A Global Phenomenon Shaped by Power and Ambition" The world map, adorned with the vast empires of yesteryears, reminds us of the complex history of imperialism. From the Death to World Imperialism poster created in 1919 by Dmitriy Stakhievich Moor to Stonehenge's Longest Day, Wiltshire witnessed both ancient rituals and imperial conquests. The Treaty of Waitangi stands as a symbol of British colonial expansion into New Zealand, while the British Empire Marketing Board's Takoradi Harbour poster showcases their ambitious efforts to expand trade routes across the globe. Examining a British Empire Map from 1902 reveals an intricate web spanning continents, illustrating how imperialism extended its reach far and wide. The Zulu War Britannia in 1879 exemplifies one chapter in this narrative where Britain sought dominance over African territories. Edward VIII's hunting escapades capture a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by those at the helm of imperial power. His encounters with Patailas and visits to Nepal demonstrate how imperialism intertwined with diplomacy and exploration during his reign. As we reflect on World War I, it becomes evident that imperialism played a significant role in shaping global conflicts. It fueled rivalries between nations vying for control over colonies and resources, leaving lasting scars on countless lives. Imperialism is not merely confined to historical events; it continues to shape our present-day world. Understanding its complexities helps us navigate through contemporary challenges arising from past legacies. Whether through grand empires or subtle influences exerted over time, it has left an indelible mark on human history. Exploring these hints - be it through art depicting resistance like Moor's poster or examining maps showcasing territorial ambitions - allows us to unravel this multifaceted phenomenon that shaped our world.