Empire of Violence (6) Conclusion

Several things stand out about the ugly truths described in Legacy of Violence.

• While its colonial officers and agents were engaging in evil practices, the British public believed they were engaged in a civilising mission, raising up the backward people of the world.

  Britain imagined herself a uniquely imperial nation, the standard-bearer among peers, the purveyor of the world’s greatest civilising mission, delivering Pan Britannica’s civilizing rule of law that would transform “native children” who were not ready to take their place in the modern world (p.585).

• The atrocities were not a mistake or limited to a few bad people gone rogue. The British government deliberately circulated its officers around from one hotspot to another. They would use the methods developed in one place more intensively in the next place they were sent to bring under control. Practices got worse as time progressed, because the most ruthless officers were sent to another colony where troubles had broken.

• News of the atrocities always leaked back to Britain. Complaints would lead to a formal inquiry of some type. The committee or commission would hear evidence of terrible incidents, but would always decide that the behaviour was reasonable given the circumstances. When it became obvious that the actions of those accused of crimes had been approved and encouraged by officials and ministers at the highest level, the violence and terror would be covered up. This happened again and again throughout the history of the empire.

• The senior colonial officers who were responsible for managing the worst atrocities and perpetrating the worst violence were often rewarded with honours when they returned to Britain.