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... Pears' Soap ad which perpetuated the scientific theory of the black race being inferior and in need of the British "civilizing mission" appeared in McClure's Magazine in 1899 ( fig. 3). The central part of the image shows an elderly white man in a naval uniform washing his hands in a boat cabin. In the upper corners of the ad there are two boats in the ocean and in the lower left corner of the ad we see the unloading of Pears' Soap cargo from a ship. The lower right corner of the ad shows a white man handing over ...
Citations
This article examines the obsession that British women during the Victorian period had with pure, white skin. Examining the ways in which pale skin became popular, it is possible to see that this preoccupation created a new and increased demand for products and potions that would give the illusion of a milky white complexion, the epitome of beauty, regardless of their toxic composition. The preference for natural products, like soap, became popular as poisonous powders and lotions came under scrutiny. Advertisements assisted with the obsession, with the British views of beauty, morality, purity, youthfulness, and racial superiority becoming intertwined with notions of whiteness. Messages likes these ensured that women would do whatever it took to achieve the ideal beauty, even if it was dangerous to their health.
British statesmen and generals held Italy in low regard because of racial attitudes, ignorance of the conditions under which Italian soldiers fought, and a conviction that Italy should subordinate its interests to those of the United Kingdom. They placed unreasonable expectations on the Italian army and interpreted its failure to meet them as confirmation of British prejudices. British politicians viewed their Italian counterparts as ‘devious’ when they pursued national self-interest while those same British leaders put the interests of the British empire above those of the Entente. If Italian soldiers failed to press home an attack or hold a position, British generals accused them of defeatism, lack of fighting spirit or outright cowardice but did not level the same criticism at their own troops when they suffered reverses. Not until the summer of 1917 did a high-ranking British officer even tour the Italian front. British generals repeatedly dismissed Italian intelligence as alarmist only to have it proved correct. Throughout the war, the British treated Italy as a junior member rather than an equal partner in the alliance. This study reveals how prejudice, ignorance and arrogance shaped Anglo-Italian relations and adversely effected allied strategic planning.
