The British West Indies Regiment: Race and Colour on the Western Front

Compare Textbook Prices for The British West Indies Regiment: Race and Colour on the Western Front  ISBN 9781399067690 by Dendooven, Dominiek
Author: Dendooven, Dominiek
ISBN:1399067699
ISBN-13: 9781399067690
List Price: $22.29 (up to 0% savings)
Prices shown are the lowest from
the top textbook retailers.

View all Prices by Retailer

Details about The British West Indies Regiment: Race and Colour on the Western Front:

This is a military-political history with a vital and all-pervading cultural and social theme which shapes the narrative - race, color and prejudice. But despite this, there is an extraordinary underlying theme of empire loyalty among serving soldiers - NCOs and private soldiers - and a growing grasp of political ideas and liberal democracy. And the loyalty to the British crown as an agent of the ending of slavery will be amazing to some readers. War experience was a powerful catalyst and contributed to a 'West Indianess' and desire for political advance. But even here the desire was for independence within the empire - a 'West Indian Dominion' as with 'elder sisters' of empire, the Dominions of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. The political and economic status of the islands was a potent reason for the 'colored contingents' enlisting - work was scarce - but a major impetus was the cultural concept of 'manliness' and empire-status - shared by George V, who insisted, against government pressure, on allowing West Indians to serve with white British soldiers. But all were volunteers and not enlisted men. The West Indies Regiment was small and its contribution in action limited, and restricted largely to Egypt and Mesopotamia, and with limited service on the Western Front. But it shows vividly the ingrained racialism and color prejudice of British society and the British Army and above all, in the insensitive omission of the West Indies Regiment at the Victory Parade in 1919.

Need Reference tutors? Start your search below:
Need Reference course notes? Start your search below: