The British Empire Through Buildings: Structure, Function and Meaning - Hardcover

by John M. MacKenzie (Author)

Buildings provide tremendous insights into the character of imperialism, not least in the manner in which Western forms were spread across the globe. They reveal the projection of power and authority in colonised landscapes, as well the economic ambitions and social and cultural needs of colonial peoples in all types of colonies. They also represent a colonial order of social classes and racial divisions, together with the ways in which these were inflected through domestic living space, places of work and various aspects of cultural relations. They illuminate the desires of Europeans to indulge in cultural and religious proselytisation, encouraging indigenous peoples to adopt western norms. But the resistance of the supposedly subordinate people led to the invasion, adoption and adaptation of such buildings for a post-colonial world. The book will be vital reading for all students and scholars interested in the widest aspects of material culture.

Front Jacket

The history of the British Empire is greatly illuminated by this innovative examination of its built environment. The buildings of empire reveal the manner in which imperial rule was established and consolidated, globalising Western building types and approaches to urban development. They also illustrate the ways in which the economic ambitions of colonies together with the aspirations and social needs of colonial settlers and 'sojourners' (temporary migrants) were met. This is the first work to analyse such issues across the entire British Empire, in all its various types of colonies established in five continents. The range of buildings considered here is striking, including those representative of military rule and power, such as forts, barracks and government houses together with the residences of both Europeans and indigenous people. The creation of a world-wide bourgeoisie prompted the appearance of town halls, clubs, libraries, museums, theatres and educational institutions everywhere while the new technologies of the age produced a remarkable dispersal of railway and telegraph stations. As the British Protestant denominations transformed themselves into world-wide religious phenomena, a very large number of cathedrals, churches and mission stations appeared across the globe. Another insight into imperial rule is created by the construction of new capitals as late as the twentieth century. All these buildings reflected the complexities of the class and racial dimensions of empire and further insights can be gleaned from the manner in which they have been adopted and adapted for a post-colonial world. The book will be of considerable value to all students and scholars of imperial history, of aspects of the environment, as well as of those interested in material culture in its fullest sense.

Author Biography

John M. MacKenzie is Emeritus Professor of Imperial History at the University of Lancaster