Workers of the Empire, Unite: Radical and Popular Challenges to British Imperialism, 1910s-1960s

This book explores the role of working people, their experiences, initiatives, and organizations in British decolonization, challenging the neglect of labor in traditional studies. It examines the intervention of the metropolitan Left, labor mobilizations in the colonies, and the potential for connections between British and colonial workers. The volume sheds new light on the complex dynamics of the British Empire's dissolution, highlighting the uncertainties and radical aspirations of the time.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2024
Publisher: Liverpool University Press

In the realm of British decolonization, the world of labor often receives scant attention, with the focus instead falling on the actions of metropolitan statesmen and indigenous elites. However, this volume seeks to rectify that oversight by delving into the significant roles played by working people, their experiences, initiatives, and organizations in the dismantling of the British Empire. It explores the profound impact of labor mobilizations on both the metropole and the colonies, examining the extent to which the metropolitan Left influenced the liquidation of the empire. Moreover, it investigates whether labor movements in the colonies merely served as stepping stones for bourgeois nationalists or if there were genuine connections and collaborations between British and colonial workers.

These complex questions are at the heart of this volume, which employs a rich array of rare primary sources and adopts a resolutely transnational approach. By doing so, it offers an original contribution to both labor history and imperial studies. The final decades of the British Empire were characterized by a sense of uncertainty, as radical minorities held onto the hope that coordinated efforts across borders could bring about the destruction of the empire, as well as capitalism and imperialism in general. This book recaptures that atmosphere of ambiguity, providing a fresh perspective on a pivotal period in world history.

Through its meticulous research and comprehensive analysis, this volume sheds new light on the intricate relationships between labor, politics, and empire. It challenges prevailing narratives and offers a more nuanced understanding of the complex dynamics that shaped the dissolution of the British Empire. By examining the experiences and perspectives of working people on both sides of the colonial divide, it provides a valuable addition to our understanding of the global history of labor and the impact of imperialism.

In conclusion, this volume is a groundbreaking exploration of the overlooked roles played by working people in the British decolonization process. By focusing on their experiences, initiatives, and organizations, it offers a fresh perspective on a critical period in world history. It contributes to our understanding of labor history, imperial studies, and the complex interplay between power, politics, and labor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781802075397