Fall Of Empires Essay

The fall of empires has been a much debated topic by historians. For the majority of empires, it is not just one factor that causes the decline; on the contrary, it can be deemed that a number of factors both internal and external influence the fall of an empire. However, the statement ‘when empires fall, it is always the case that internal decline precedes external attack’ could be perceived as false in the case of the British Empire; the external attack of the First and the Second World Wars fractured ties within the empire, leaving it open to Colonial revolt. Historian Philippa Levine concurs with this idea stating that, ‘self- direction clearly escalated after the Second World War,’ suggesting that the external attack ultimately led to

It was not until the Second World War when Gandhi proposed India had been brought into the war without having a choice, that Indians in the Navy, Air Force, and Army, took a stand against the British. These revolts forced the government to discuss the future of India under British rule, as it was becoming increasingly harder to provide the funds that would control India’s revolts, therefore, the only other solution was to begrudgingly allow India to become a free state, which finally happened in 1947. This provides evidence to suggest that the statement ‘when empires fall, it is always the case that internal decline precedes external attack,’ is not always correct. These fractures arose from the First World War, made even worse by the Second World War promoted internal decline. India did not achieve full independence until after the war when Britain was at its weakest and unable to stop dissent. India’s independence influenced other colonies to revolt against the British, causing the de- colonisation and fall of the Empire.

The decline of the Mongol Empire was partly due to internal economic trouble; this can be seen in the Yuan Dynasty as well as the Il- Khanate. Kublai Khan set up ‘public- works projects’, these projects were set up in order to help improve China, however, instead caused economic disruption as they became increasingly costly, in fact provoked

Historians such as Ashley Jackson agrees that the Second World War ‘hastened the end of the Empire, as Britain’s financial sacrifices brought about its precipitate economic decline,’ whereas the economic troubles in the Mongol Empire were brought about internally. It can indeed be considered that the First and Second World War was the catalyst that brought about the end of the British Empire, as Jackson claimed, the war had a massive impact on Britain’s economy. After 1945, Britain, once among the richest in the world, was heavily in debt, focus moved towards the upcoming superpowers, American and Russia, who were becoming more influential both economically and culturally. The historian Philippa Levine explains that Britain was forced to rely on ‘American cash to save its ailing economy.’ As well as relying on America, Britain also during the war demanded more resources from their colonies, in order to fuel the war machine, not only did this put extra pressure on the relationships between them but it also meant Britain owed money to the Dominions. This debt weakened the Empire greatly, as it left Britain unable to support its