Chapter
The Importance of the Maxim Gun in the Scramble for Africa
38:04 - 45:39 (07:35)
The Maxim Gun, the first self-cooling machine gun, played a key role in the colonization of Africa by the Europeans, as it enabled them to suppress the native uprisings and gain control of the continent. The artwork of Victorian military art glorified hand-to-hand combat, showcased military heroes, and helped perpetrate the myth of the noble sacrifice of war.
Clips
The British deployed four Maxim guns and were able to kill over 1,500 Matabele in the Battle of Shangani.
38:04 - 39:57 (01:53)
Summary
The British deployed four Maxim guns and were able to kill over 1,500 Matabele in the Battle of Shangani. The Matabele leader, Lobin Gula, had 20,000 riflemen but was still defeated.
ChapterThe Importance of the Maxim Gun in the Scramble for Africa
EpisodeHiram Maxim, Inventor of the Machine-Gun and Curling Iron
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The presence of Maxim gun allowed Europeans to colonize Africa more effectively and with less loss of life, but the full extent of its violent impact was concealed from the public.
39:57 - 42:25 (02:27)
Summary
The presence of Maxim gun allowed Europeans to colonize Africa more effectively and with less loss of life, but the full extent of its violent impact was concealed from the public. The cultural impact of the weapon on colonizing nations was both significant and underestimated.
ChapterThe Importance of the Maxim Gun in the Scramble for Africa
EpisodeHiram Maxim, Inventor of the Machine-Gun and Curling Iron
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The accepted motifs of high Victorian military art were depicted in illustrations, prints, and oil paintings, including a focus on military heroes and noble sacrifice with a compositional focus on hand-to-hand combat and glorious cavalry charges.
42:25 - 45:39 (03:14)
Summary
The accepted motifs of high Victorian military art were depicted in illustrations, prints, and oil paintings, including a focus on military heroes and noble sacrifice with a compositional focus on hand-to-hand combat and glorious cavalry charges. Colonial victories were celebrated with stories of heroism and colorful illustrations depicting Englishmen surrounded fighting against hordes of enemies.