3. The Sun Finally Set on The British Empire
Published by Campbell M Gold in Historical · Sunday 18 Aug 2024 · 12:45
Tags: history, British, Empire, colonialism, imperialism, decolonization, global, influence, United, Kingdom, world, map, 1950s, sunset
Tags: history, British, Empire, colonialism, imperialism, decolonization, global, influence, United, Kingdom, world, map, 1950s, sunset
The Sun Finally Set on The British Empire
My Rise and Fall of Empires Series - Article #3
Goodness, I remember in the 1950s, in the schools, there were maps displaying the extent of the British Empire, marked in red. And yes, it could be said, "The sun never set on the British Empire," and then it was all gone…
The British Empire was one of the largest empires in history and significantly shaped the modern world.
Overview of the British Empire
Early Expansion (16th - 17th Century)
- Late 16th Century: The English began establishing overseas colonies in North America and the Caribbean with early efforts.
- 1585: The first English colony was established at Roanoke Island, although it ultimately failed.
- 1607: The successful establishment of Jamestown in Virginia marked the first permanent English settlement in North America.
Growth and Consolidation (18th Century)
- Colonial Wars: The British engaged in several conflicts, including the Anglo-Dutch Wars and the French and Indian War (1754-1763), which expanded their territories.
- 1763: The Treaty of Paris granted Britain control of Canada and Florida, establishing it as a dominant power in North America.
The American Revolution (1775-1783)
- Revolution: The colonies in North America revolted against British rule, leading to the American Revolutionary War.
- 1783: The Treaty of Paris recognised the independence of the United States, marking a significant loss for the British Empire.
Expansion and Industrial Revolution (19th Century)
- 19th Century: The Empire expanded rapidly, acquiring territories in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
- Colonisation of India: The British East India Company established control over large parts of India, leading to direct British rule after the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
- Scramble for Africa: The Berlin Conference (1884-1885) formalised territorial claims in Africa, leading to significant British acquisitions.
World Wars and Decline After 1914
- World War I (1914-1918): The empire played a key role in the war but faced significant losses.
- Interwar Period: The empire began facing challenges from nationalist movements in various colonies.
- World War II (1939-1945): The war further weakened Britain economically and politically.
- Decolonisation: After the war, many colonies gained independence, starting with India in 1947.
End of the Empire (Post-1945)
- 1950s-1960s: Numerous territories in Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia gained independence.
- 1970s: The process of decolonisation continued, with the last significant territory, Hong Kong, being handed back to China in 1997.
The British Empire was characterised by its vast territorial holdings and significant cultural, political, and economic influence worldwide. Its legacy is complex, with both positive contributions and negative impacts on colonised nations.
The Rise
Between 1815 and 1870, the British Empire was not just a "dominant power" but the "world's dominant power." Its global supremacy was forged in the 18th century, and by 1815, its colonial reach allowed the British elite to enjoy 50 years of unopposed maritime, imperial, and wealth dominance.
By 1900, Britain had achieved an incredible feat: creating the largest empire in human history.
The empire's rapid expansion, spanning over 12 million square miles of land and a quarter of the global population, displayed Britain's colonial power.
In just 30 years following 1870, the empire grew by 4.25 million square miles and 66 million people, demonstrating grandeur and power.
Britain's strength was not just evident; it was breathtaking. With its growing royal navy, an unparalleled network of naval bases, the largest merchant marine, and crucial financial services through the City of London, the empire's industrialisation, the first in the world, provided the resources for its continued global dominance. This was a testament to its economic and military prowess, a force to be reckoned with on the world stage that left other nations both awestruck and fearful.
However, the British ruling elite failed to grasp the fundamental nature of the system they had pioneered: "industrialisation". They sought to keep the new wealth for themselves, distant from their workers, and to deny other nations, especially Germany and the United States, a share.
The Fall
The British Empire had several negative aspects, which have been widely discussed and critiqued:
- Exploitation of Resources: The British Empire often exploited the natural resources of its colonies for its own benefit, leading to economic underdevelopment in those regions.
- Exploitation and Economic Drain: The Empire extracted vast amounts of wealth and resources from its colonies, often leaving them economically disadvantaged.
- Cultural Suppression: Indigenous cultures and traditions were frequently suppressed. British culture, language, and religion were imposed, often at the expense of local customs and beliefs.
- Economic Inequality: The economic policies of the Empire often favoured British interests, leading to significant economic disparities and poverty in the colonies.
- Slavery and Forced Labour: The transatlantic slave trade and other forms of forced labour were integral to the Empire’s economic model, causing immense human suffering.
- Racism and Discrimination: The Empire perpetuated racial hierarchies and discrimination, which have had long-lasting impacts on former colonies.
- Violence and Repression: The British often used military force to maintain control, leading to numerous conflicts and loss of life. Repressive measures were also used to quell resistance and uprisings.
- Displacement and Land Seizure: Indigenous peoples were frequently displaced from their lands, which were then used for British settlements or resource extraction.
These aspects have left lasting legacies in many former colonies, contributing to ongoing social and economic challenges.
End Game
Following World War II, the disintegration of Britain's empire reshaped global politics.
Additionally, the United States' rising global influence and opposition to imperialism, notably the British Empire, made colonialism less politically viable.
Furthermore, Japan's wartime victories had shattered Britain's imperial prestige.
Consequently, a global surge in nationalism ended the colonial era, with the withdrawal of India and Pakistan in 1947 marking the start of this transformation.
It has been suggested that the British Empire officially ended in February 1947, when Britain informed Washington that it no longer had the resources to defend Greece or Turkey.
Russia threatened to extend its influence at the onset of the Cold War, and the United States quickly superseded the United Kingdom as the primary stabilising power in the West.
India became independent in 1947 after significantly contributing to Britain's war effort.
Less than a year later, communist guerrillas launched a violent campaign aimed at forcing Britain from Malaya, but effective political and military responses prevented a communist takeover. This was known as the Malayan Emergency, which began in 1948 and lasted until 1960.
In the Middle East, Britain hastily abandoned Palestine in 1948.
The 1956 Suez Crisis marked a significant blow to British prestige and highlighted its declining influence as a global power.
Malaya became an independent democracy on 31 August 1957.
Ghana became Britain's first African colony to gain independence in 1957.
By 1967, more than 20 British territories had become independent.
Decolonisation was a complex process. Each colony's unique societies presented different political pressures, sometimes leading to violence ranging from riots to massacres.
The Cold War further complicated matters as Britain endeavoured to insulate former colonies from the influence of the Soviet Union.
In 1997, Hong Kong was returned to Chinese administration, marking the end of the British Empire, though Britain still maintains a few overseas territories.
Quotes
Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, 'This was their finest hour.'
(Winston Churchill)
I believe in the acceptance of personal responsibility, freedom of choice, and the British Empire, which took freedom and the rule of law to countries which would never have known it otherwise.
(Margaret Thatcher)
The British Empire was so vast and so powerful, the sun would never set on it. This is how big it was, yet these 13 little scrawny states, tired of taxation without representation, tired of being exploited and oppressed and degraded, told that big British Empire, liberty or death.
(Malcolm X)
It is with deep grief I watch the clattering down of the British Empire with all its glories and all the services it has rendered to mankind.
(Winston Churchill)
You know, when I was a girl, the idea that the British Empire could ever end was absolutely inconceivable. And it just disappeared, like all the other empires.
(Doris Lessing)
If the British Empire is fated to pass from life into history, we must hope it will not be by the slow process of dispersion and decay, but in some supreme exertion for freedom, for right and for truth.
(Winston Churchill)
The loss of India would mark and consummate the downfall of the British Empire. That great organism would pass at a stroke out of life into history.From such a catastrophe there could be no recovery.
(Lord Randolph Churchill)
Why should we not form a secret society with but one object, the furtherance of the British Empire and the bringing of the whole world under British rule, for the recovery of the United States, for making the Anglo-Saxon race but one Empire? What a dream, but yet it is probable; it is possible.
(Cecil Rhodes)
We can safely make one prophecy: whatever the outcome of this war, the British Empire is at an end. It has been mortally wounded. The future of the British people is to die of hunger and tuberculosis in their cursed island.
(Adolf Hitler)
The British Empire has advanced to a new conception of autonomy and freedom, to the idea of a system of British nations, each freely ordering its own individual life, but bound together in unity by allegiance to one Crown, and co-operating in all that concerns the common weal.
(George VI)
Ah, there's nothing like tea in the afternoon. When the British Empire collapses, historians will find that it had made but two invaluable contributions to civilization - this tea ritual and the detective novel.
(Ayn Rand)
I have not become the Kings First Minister in order to preside over the liquidation of the British Empire.
(Winston Churchill)
Let it be our endeavour, let it be our task, to keep alight the torch of imperial patriotism, to hold fast the affection and the confidence of our kinsmen across the seas; so that in every vicissitude of fortune the British Empire may present an unbroken front to all her foes, and may carry on even to distant ages the glorious traditions of the British flag.
(Joseph Chamberlain)
Classic nineteenth century European imperialists believed they were literally on a mission. I don't believe that the imperialists these days have that same sense of public service. They are simply pirates. Yes, there are fundamentalists, Christian fundamentalists, who appear to be in charge of the White House at the moment, but they are very different from the Christian gentlemen who ran the British Empire and believed they were doing good works around the world. These days it's about naked power.
(John Pilger)
No, men and women of the Irish race, we shall not fight for England. We shall fight for the destruction of the British Empire and the construction of an Irish republic.
(James Larkin)
I think deep down, this planet yearns for the days of the British Empire again. They long once more to be treated that badly, that politely. We did far worse things than you can possibly dream of, but we did it with that certainly gentlemanly swagger... Dreadfully sorry, but we seem to have crushed your entire continent's infrastructure. Allow me to make it up to you by offering you a job 4,000 miles away. No, no, I insist.
(John Oliver)
In recent times, European nations, with the use of gunpowder and other technical improvements in warfare, controlled practically the whole world. One, the British Empire, brought under one government a quarter of the earth and its inhabitants.
(John Boyd Orr)
The gin and tonic has saved more Englishmen's lives, and minds, than all the doctors in the Empire.
(Winston Churchill)
It is fundamental to Socialism that we should liquidate the British Empire as soon as we can.
(Stafford Cripps
However much we may sympathise with a small nation confronted by a big and powerful neighbour, we cannot in all circumstances undertake to involve the whole British Empire in a war simply on her account. If we have to fight it must be on larger issues than that.
(Neville Chamberlain)
People fail you, children disappoint you, thieves break in, moths corrupt, but an Order of the British Empire goes on for ever.
(Fay Weldon)
Summary
As we can see, the end of the British Empire was a complex process influenced by some key factors:
- World War II: The war significantly weakened Britain’s economic and military power. The catastrophic defeats in Europe and Asia between 1940 and 1942 destroyed its financial independence, which was the foundation of the imperial system.
- Nationalist Movements: Across the empire, nationalist movements gained momentum. Countries like India, which gained independence in 1947, led the way. The rise of these movements made it increasingly difficult for Britain to maintain control.
- Economic Strain: Post-war Britain faced severe economic challenges. The cost of maintaining the empire became unsustainable, leading to a gradual withdrawal from its colonies.
- International Pressure: The global political climate after World War II, including pressure from the United States and the Soviet Union, favoured decolonisation. The formation of the United Nations also promoted self-determination and independence for colonised nations.
- Suez Crisis: The 1956 Suez Crisis marked a significant blow to British prestige and highlighted its declining influence as a global power.
- Handover of Hong Kong: The handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997 is often seen as the symbolic end of the British Empire, although some territories remain under British sovereignty.
And yes, the sun had finally set on the British Empire…
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