Shooting an Elephant: A Critique of Imperialism

George Orwell's short story "Shooting an Elephant" serves as a powerful critique of British imperialism and its effects on both the colonizers and the colonized. This page summarizes the story and its main themes.

Definition: Imperialism - A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means.

The story is narrated by a British police officer stationed in Burma during the colonial period. He is called to deal with an elephant that has gone "must" (a period of heightened aggression in male elephants) and is causing destruction in a village.

Quote: "I perceived in this moment that when the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys."

The narrator feels conflicted about shooting the elephant, which has calmed down by the time he arrives. However, he feels pressured by the expectation of the gathered crowd of Burmese villagers.

Highlight: The story explores the psychological toll of colonialism on the colonizer, forced to act against his own moral judgment to maintain the facade of imperial authority.

The elephant in the story serves as a powerful metaphor for the British Empire itself:

1. Both are powerful and hard to control
2. Both can be destructive when agitated
3. Both take a long time to die, even after their power has waned

The story illustrates the complex power dynamics of colonialism, where the oppressor becomes a slave to the expectations of the system they enforce.

The Decline of the British Empire

This final page explores the factors that led to the collapse of the British Empire and its lasting legacy on the modern world.

Key Factors in the Empire's Decline:

1. Economic strain of World War I and II
2. Rise of nationalist movements in colonies
3. Changing global power dynamics
4. Shift in British public opinion

Timeline: The process of decolonization accelerated after World War II, with most British colonies gaining independence by the 1960s.

Economic Factors:

• The cost of maintaining a global empire became unsustainable
• Loss of economic monopolies in former colonies
• Rise of the United States and Soviet Union as new superpowers

Example: India, often called the "jewel in the crown" of the British Empire, gained independence in 1947, marking a significant turning point in the empire's decline.

Political and Social Factors:

• Growing resistance movements in colonies (e.g., Indian National Congress, Mau Mau in Kenya)
• Changing international attitudes towards colonialism
• Pressure from the United Nations for decolonization

Quote: British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan in 1960: "The wind of change is blowing through this continent, and whether we like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact."

Legacy of the British Empire:

• Commonwealth of Nations
• Widespread use of English language
• British legal and educational systems in former colonies
• Ongoing debates about reparations and addressing historical injustices

Highlight: The impact of the British Empire continues to shape global politics, economics, and culture in the 21st century.

The story "Shooting an Elephant" serves as a microcosm of the larger forces at work in the decline of the British Empire, illustrating the unsustainability of colonial rule and the moral compromises it demanded of those who enforced it.

The British Empire: A Global Powerhouse

The British Empire was the dominant colonial power in world history, exerting control over vast territories across the globe. This page provides a brief overview of the empire's rise and key milestones in its development.

The empire's growth was closely tied to Britain's economic and industrial expansion. The Industrial Revolution in the mid-18th century fueled the need for raw materials and new markets, driving colonial expansion.

Highlight: The British Empire reached its territorial peak in the early 20th century, covering approximately 25% of the world's land surface and ruling over 23% of the world's population.

Key events in the British Empire timeline include:

1. 1750: Economic boom and Industrial Revolution begin
2. 1789: Independence of the American Colonies
3. 1801: Foundation of the Colonial Office in London
4. 1807: Britain abolishes the slave trade
5. 1858: India is put under direct control of Westminster
6. 1876: Queen Victoria becomes Empress of India

Vocabulary: Commonwealth - A voluntary association of independent countries, many of which were former British colonies or dependencies.

The empire facilitated a complex network of trade, with different regions specializing in various commodities. North America provided whale oil, lumber, and furs, while the Caribbean supplied sugar and molasses. Africa contributed ivory and spices, and manufactured goods flowed from Britain to its colonies.

Example: The triangular trade route connected Britain, Africa, and the Americas, with slaves being transported from Africa to the Americas, raw materials from the Americas to Britain, and manufactured goods from Britain to Africa.