British Imperialism and its Legacies
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Glasgow Museums cares for many objects that provide testimony to the histories of the British Empire and transatlantic slavery. The history of Glasgow Museums is itself inextricably tied to the history of the British Empire, from the foundation of some of its buildings to the development of its collections as Britain took control of more and more territories around the world. The collections include objects taken violently as loot by British forces, cultural heritage material acquired by missionaries, portraits of merchants who were complicit in profiting from the enslavement of black people, objects that speak to people’s experiences of Empire in Scotland, and much more.
The British Empire and transatlantic slavery were violent, exploitative and oppressive systems. Britain’s empire covered a quarter of the world’s surface and impacted millions of people’s lives. Its primary purpose was economic gain for Britain, and the cost of that was mass enslavement, displacement through slavery and indentured servitude, exploitation of people and natural resources, widespread racism, and many other issues the consequences of which people are still grappling with to this day.
Following World War II, in which people from across the Empire served and died, many people from Britain’s colonies moved to places across the United Kingdom to help rebuild the country. And yet they and their descendants still face racism and a hostile environment.
Meanwhile, underdeveloped countries still have the odds stacked against them. As a legacy of colonial borders imposed upon them, their economies have been geared towards exporting much of their resources with little in return, and mountains of debt have been accrued, forced upon them as the price for their independence after colonial rule. The legacies of Empire still shape our societies in very real ways.
This collection area covers some of those experiences of slavery and empire, but it is still very much a work in progress. As you explore the collections, let us know if you think any objects or stories are missing. What should we focus on collecting in the future? Get in touch to share your thoughts.
- Narrower term
British Imperialism and its Legacies: Colonial Violence
British Imperialism and its Legacies: Cultural Colonialism
British Imperialism and its Legacies: Enduring Legacies of Empire
British Imperialism and its Legacies: Exploitation of nature
British Imperialism and its Legacies: Industry and profits of Empire