THE BRITISH EMPIRE
The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for a time was the foremost global power. It was a product of the European age of discovery, which began with the maritime explorations of the 15th century, that sparked the era of the European colonial empires.
By 1921, the British Empire held sway over a population of about 458 million people, approximately one-quarter of the world's population. It covered about 36.6 million km² (14.2 million square miles), about a quarter of Earth's total land area. As a result, its legacy is widespread, in legal and governmental systems, economic practice, militarily, educational systems, sports, and in the global spread of the English language. At the peak of its power, it was often said that "the sun never sets on the British Empire" because its span across the globe ensured that the sun was always shining on at least one of its numerous colonies or subject nations.
During the five decades following World War II, most of the territories of the Empire became independent. Many went on to join the Commonwealth of Nations, a free association of independent states. This astonishing empire was never undone in the way that the Roman Empire was: instead it dissolved peacefully, by mutual consent, and the British, apart from creating the world's largest empire, also had the privilege of being the only empire builders not to be destroyed in their far flung empire itself.
ORIGINS UNDER ELIZABETH I
The first moves by the British to establish an empire came during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603). Elizabeth was a far-sighted sovereign who financially supported the voyages of exploration, mainly through her favorite, Sir Francis Drake, who in 1580, became the first...
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The outcome of the First World War in 1919, saw the British Empire at its height: the Treaty of Versailles gave Britain most of the German Empire in Africa, while the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in the Middle East led to the British acquisition of Palestine and Iraq in 1918.
DISSOLUTION OF THE EMPIRE AFTER WORLD WAR II
The British Empire only finally started dissolving after the First World War, with the process being speeded up dramatically in the aftermath of the Second World War. The primary reason for the dissolution of the empire was economic and political rather than racial: after the Second World War, Britain was simply too impoverished to continue holding on to an empire created in a previous century, and it was easier to grant independence to the far flung colonies, especially when some of these turned violent.
Imperialism is a policy of a country’s empire that extends its military power across other lands to get more contry of a area or region. England imperised the places that they did to ether get control over land. To get better access of trade, or just wanted to have more military power in the areas. The affected regions that England imperialized was intended to get access to more trade and to have a greater impact on the regions they were in.
The English also gained power of the Chinese through the Taiping Rebellion. When the revolutionaries began acting out against the Chinese government, the English came to defend the government. Their reasoning behind it was that it was easier to get control of china if the Qing administration was in charge. The rebels were defeated and the English succeeded in fulfilling their intentions. During the imperialism of Africa, many of the same things occurred. The English took control of the African countries in different ways, but they still got control. With the Africans, the English just went to war with the countries or tribes. They would either defeat them or force them to give up partial or all control of the government. Either way, the English gained control and power because of their strength politically and militarily.
British Imperialism in India and China Imperialism is the domination of a weaker country by a stronger country. For instance, Britain dominated India and China in the mid 1880s to the beginning of the 20th century. Imperialism has had both a positive and negative effect on the countries involved. Britain was imperialistic for many reasons, it could dominate because it had the technology and power to do so.
The empires of the British and Ottoman were both influential economically, socially, and politically before their decline. They were able to control their territory and others around the world. The decline of the Ottoman Empire in 1683 was because of the collapse of government and lack of trade, which led to rebellions in colonies and new introductions of education and religion. Also, the decline of the British Empire in 1928 was because of the loss of control over colonies and the industrialization of other countries which led the British to losing control over other parts of the world. The British and Ottoman both declined because of colonies but their declines were still vastly different.
Two other countries also practiced imperialism during this time, their actions increased the rivalry between Germany and them as stated by historyonthenet.com. " By 1900 the British empire extended over five continents and France had control of large areas of Africa." "The amount of land owned by Britain and France increased rivalry with Germany. " Imperialism was a major part of the eruption of WWI.
Great Britain had economic interests in the Atlantic colonies since the 16th century. Through many laws, acts and conquests, Britain sought to control and influence the colonies. Britain ultimately failed in this endeavor. Though the British government could divide and allot the land as they pleased, they could not control it effectively. By the end of the French and Indian War, they had lost all of their ability to control the Atlantic colonies.
Britain was committed to imperializing countries that benefitted them. Benjamin Disraeli, the British prime minister during the 1870’s, persuaded Great Britain to imperialize because it was a way to guard vital British markets overseas, resources, and jobs, as well as enhance their well known reputation as being the most powerful country (Butler). Great Britain wanted to spread its culture and religion (Butler). As a result, Christianity was dispersed imperialized countries under the name of Great Britain. Another major reason Great Britain imperialized in Africa was because other European countries that were participating in the “Scramble for Africa” (Berard). This was the time period where certain European countries fought over what countries in Africa to imperialize. Britain wanted more power, and therefore, more land as well. Therefore, they resorted to imperializing lands such as those in Africa.
Britain was not an imperialistic force during the 15th century due to the overwhelming power of Spain and Portugal. These countries had established themselves as titans of the transatlantic system. In fact, “During the fifteenth century [Britain] completely lacked both the economic and strategic potential to participate in early colonialist endeavors” (Wenzlhuemer 362). Britain did not have the financial capabilities to fund such imperialistic efforts and expand their boundaries at that time due to not being as technologically and economically superior like the other empires. However, it all changed after the American Revolution. Britain was powerful at that time, yet Britain became an imperialistic force because many great states around itself were having harsh political climates and instability thus giving Britain an opportunity to take control of foreign areas, and become prosperous all while increasing their military and naval force. It wa...
the two countries. But he saw the British Empire as a worldwide alliance of free
Imperialism is the way of spreading a country’s power and influence through military force or diplomacy. Great Britain and other European countries took over many countries making empires. According to Document E, Great Britain has taken over the seas and some countries. Great Britain's empire was growing mostly taking over countries in South America and some in Africa. According to the graph in Document C, Great Britain had more of a navy then an army expanding little by little each year. Great Britain was then called the bloodsucker of the world, also causing problems for supplies to get from one country to another. This made it seem as if Great Britain had all the power. World War 1 would have never happened if there was a balance of power in
All empires must come to an end. The Mongols, Ottomans, and Holy Roman Empires all don’t exist anymore. Even, the United Stated of America will come to its end in one point in time. Everything that goes up must come down. Even, Rome, one of the world’s greatest civilizations. To summarize, The Roman Empire fell because of ineffective leaders, the crumbling economy, and invasions by the Germanic Tribes.
known as the British empire by uniting warring tribes of Scotland then joining the Scottish and
There is no doubt that British imperialism had a large impact on India. India, having previously been an group of independent and semi-independent princedoms and territories, underwent great change under British administration. Originally intended to consolidate their hold on India by establishing a population that spoke the same language as their rulers, the British decision in the 1830s to educate Indians in a Western fashion, with English as the language of instruction, was the beginning of a chain of events, including a rise in Indian nationalism, that led to Indian resentment of British imperialism and ultimately to the loss of British control over India.
In 1857 the British had invaded the nation of Hindustan (India). Many feel that if it were not for the British Empire, India would still be an under developed country. The British established a government system that before did not exist. It was a three level system including the imperial government located in London, the central government located in Calcutta, and later on provincial governments scattered throughout the regions of what was known as the British Raj1. Alt...
The British first came in the late 1700s. In the late 18th century, the British East India Company traded in and partially controlled India. When Malaya caught their attention, they began to look for a base in Malaya. The British under Francis Light had occupied Penang and founded Georgetown.