영제국에 대한 식민주의와 반식민주의 논쟁과 ‘균형적 접근’과 탈식민주의 교육

Colonialists and Anticolonialists Debates on the British Empire and ‘Balanced Approach’ and Postcolonialism in Education

This article has critically examined the ongoing debates surrounding the defense of colonialism by its proponents and the critique of imperialism by anticolonialists, with a particular focus on the way these issues are addressed in the United Kingdom. Mainstream British historians have predominantly portrayed the British Empire as a violent and expansionist force, contending that the land confiscations, slavery, genocide, and systemic oppression it enforced in its colonies warrant rigorous scrutiny and proper historical assessment. However, proponents of the British Empire have long emphasized the Empire's positive role in shaping political structures and advancing economic development in its former territories. In recent years, there has been a growing movement within the field of history education advocating for a 'balanced' approach to teaching about the British Empire, one that encompasses both its positive and negative legacies. This ‘balanced’ pedagogical framework attenuates the critical approach to the Empire.