Imperialism

Imperialism, in its original, and, perhaps, its widest sense, was expressed in the great designs of Charlemagne (q.v.). Regarded thus, it amounts to a scheme of undisputed sway over an extensive area of unbroken territory—autocracy on a grand scale. In that sense we find imperialism in the traditional policy of the czars of Russia—a policy which is supposed to imply continuous expansion to the east. But imperialism, as it came to be known in connection with Germany, does not imply conquest or aggression or annexation of territory. In Germany the policy sprang from the Franco-German war, or rather from the events preceding it, and it meant simply the union, or reunion, of the several German states and peoples under one head for purposes of offence and defence, and for certain fiscal and political purposes. As applied in the affairs of the United Kingdom we find imperialism with a twofold signification. It has been in use for a comparatively few years—since about 1878 or 1879—and is usually traced to Lord Beaconsfield (q.v.). That statesman was credited with large dreams of empire for the British crown, and one of his most memorable acts was to have the Queen proclaimed Empress of India. In connection with the British empire, the word imperialism may, however, be used as combining the interests of all the members of the group—the mother-country, the colonies, and dependencies—as distinguished from purely national, colonial, or local concerns. The character and design of such British imperialism are expressed more or less coherently in the schemes of the Imperial Institute and the Imperial Federation League (see COLONY). The term 'Imperial Parliament,' as now applied to the legislature at Westminster, is another expression of the same sentiment. See ABSOLUTISM, AUTOCRACY, CHAUVINISME.