British colonial politics: A case study of British Colonial Office

The dissertation primarily concentrates on the position and role of the British Colonial Office as a public institution in British colonialism. The study approaches the issue from a perspective that explores how British colonialism was shaped by the Colonial Office, delving into the formation of colonial practices and mindsets. This perspective is important in demonstrating the broad historical trajectory of British colonialism, its impact on world history, and the continuing colonial legacy to the present day. In this study, which focuses on the British Colonial Office as a case study, a chronological approach is adopted within the context of political history. The evolution of British colonialism after colonisation and the closure of the Office, along with its contemporary effects, are elucidated. Notably, there exists a substantial body of literature on British colonialism, particularly in English. The literature related to the Colonial Office has also expanded, as evidenced in this study through a literature review that includes research conducted in institutions such as the British National Archives and the British Library. The research is enriched by archival work on the British Colonial Office, which forms an essential part of the literature review. The study examines the British Colonial Office through specific themes, focusing on its activities in the colonies in areas such as education, missionary work, culture, economics, trade, politics and security. Through this framework, it seeks to shed light on the workings of British colonialism and colonial policy. Consequently, the study seeks to answer the question of "how the British Colonial Office shaped and managed British colonialism and colonial policy'". Based on this key question, the research delves into the functioning and practices of the British colonial system with the aim of understanding its structure and mindset. Keywords: England, British Colonial Office, Colonialism