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Question: Did the early Boy Scout movement in Britain have imperialist intent!?
When the Boy Scouts was founded by Baden-Powell in 1907, and expanded in the next few decades - do you think the movement's nature and aims reflected British imperialism!?!?
Why/why not!?
Your opinion and reasoning would be much appreciated!!!Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
It was not designed with overt imperialist intent, but encompassed the ethos and values of the British Empire which included imperialism!. Not being a central pillar of its ideology however, it has been able to adopt and change along with the empire's fortunes!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Despite Baden-Powell’s imperial military background, he was anxious that the Boy Scouts did not exclude any due to class, race or creed, the ethos of patriotism is present in his “Scouting for Boys” not specific to the Empire it does exhort boys to place country before self!.

http://www!.pinetreeweb!.com/bp-sfb5!.htm

He was pleasantly surprised by the growth of scouting from the initial camp that he created for 22 boys on Brownsea Island to a world phenomena!.

http://www!.pinetreeweb!.com/bp-beyond-00!.!.!.!.

Reading with 21st century hindsight his writings are patronising and distinctly from a man of his time – he was a great hero of the Empire before he developed his ideas of scouting – but although written by an Empire soldier and patriotic Briton, the Scout movement was not to be a tool to extend the Empire!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think that far from scouting being a vehicle to spread imperialism, the reverse is the case!. Baden-Powell was really keen on the things Scouts do, like lighting campfires, sing-songs, tying knots etc - and its value to the Empire (though I am sure he believed in it) was a way to sell it to the general public!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes, but it also had nationalistic intent, the whole idea is to promote brotherhood and great loyalty to one another, and through one another a fierce loyalty to the country!. Even in today's boy scouts, where do you see the them!? At the Memorial day Parade, 4th of July Parade, and many other NATIONAL holidays!.*Www@QuestionHome@Com

yes!. the boy scouts were seen as a vehicle to give boys a common early training in essential principles that would allow them to grow into cannon fodder!.

it was a method to get them used to uniforms and military discipline!.Www@QuestionHome@Com