Introduction

The fin de siÈcle of Victorian Britain was a time for self-doubt. There was an increasing fear that the ‘place in the sun’ that had so long been hers was being shadowed by the rising powers of Germany and the United States of America. Doubts arouse about her economic strength, her military prowess, even the viability of the two-party system. ¹ The South African War of 1899–1902 served for a time as the focus for all the fears that many Britons had about their country's future. The patriotism it engendered was exaggerated by the early military failures to resolve the problem of the troublesome Boers. Even the absurdity of Baden-Powell's position at Mafeking was turned around into a heroic touchstone of British ingenuity and virility. The war and its impact on the domestic scene was an appropriate climax to the race for African colonies. It provided the finest excuse for England to throw aside traditional reserve and loudly prove that her people were still the finest race on earth. It was accompanied by an orgy of patriotism, the like of which had never been seen before; men really did flock to the colours to show their involvement in the dreams of Empire.