How did the British Empire ever get so big?
The short answer is trade. Yes, the Royal Navy became the most powerful force in the world but it also had the biggest trading fleets (in the face of stiff competition from Spain, France, Portugal and the Netherlands) By offering local rulers of distant nations wealth in return for preferred trading status, Britain acquired client states which eventually became British administered, these footholds were increased either by diplomacy or by military force. A state might use British troops and equipment to invade a neighbour, the British would support the state’s ruler until he died then take over the state as part of the agreement. This was often done at arm’s length by companies – the East India Company is probably one of the best-known. By the 19th century Britain had emerged as the most successful (other nations had been using the same methods) spreading over the four points of the compass. By this time it also had something very advanced to offer – the fruits of the Industrial Revolution, by exporting goods and technologies it gained more influence and ground. For the exports Britain gained imports of raw goods, influence and territory. The Overseas Territories are a small number of flyspecks on the globe (apart from the Antarctic Territories). Other countries tried to wipe Britain off the map – they stumbled at crossing the water.
Will the British Empire ever come back?
"Will the British Empire ever come back?" *waves from Canada* Has the 'British Empire' really left, or instead like all things in the world that last merely evolved as time goes on. Not all in the Empire was Britain's you know. Example: DOMINION vs COLONIES "several other self-governing colonies of the British Empire were considered dominions equal in status to Canada. Only one other country actually used the title 'Dominion of…' in its full name however; the Dominion of New Zealand. The British used 'dominion' in a generic context to refer to any colony that was more or less self-governing. After the passage of the Statute of Westminster in 1931 the definition of dominion became lot more precise, with the British drawing a clear line of separation between what was a "dominion" and what was a "colony." From henceforth, a "dominion" was declared to be an independent country..." http://www.filibustercartoons.com/domini... The 'Empire' and what it is in regards to all countries involved has always been an ebb and flow, in transition. Exit "British Empire", enter The Commonwealth of Nations. Same relationships, just different form of relationships lol. "Welcome to the Commonwealth of Nations 2 billion citizens...20% of global trade... 54 countries... one website!" http://www.commonwealthofnations.org/ "Will Britain ever rise to power and reclaim its seat as a Global Super power?" Define might and military power. When is the last time Britain was conquered? When allies want help who's telephone number do they call? Seems powerful enough.
Will there ever be another Empire?
@David, the point you make about china has a long way to match your military power is false .China's military is growing at an astronomical pace. in 10 years they will have many more nuclear submarines than you .Also although their standard of training is low , the shear number of men in their army is crazy.they're budget for their military is growing , whereas it may only be a matter of time that your country has to reduce its budget. China is growing rapidly , and yours is faced with huge debt . Its already predicted that the 'american war machine' is way over budgeted, and will drop if the counties debt is not sorted . Also , the point you make about more money spent on the military than every other country on earth combined ? that's the first ive ever heard of such a feat . It would be interesting to see some facts and figures to back that up ? Just i cant comprehend such a fact. As for an empire like the British ? i dont think so , the largest in history , it would be hard to top. also we had more 'wiggle' room to make an empire , now pretty much every country has an independent , structured government , and to take over one is illegal under intentional law.China would risk open confrontation with most of the west if they started to take over other countries .That would most likely start something along the lines of WW3
Could the British Empire come back?
No. Empire preference and the Sterling Zone were both killed as part of the Anglo-American loan after WWII. The British were victors in that conflict, but at an extreme price - at the end of the war, they were in debt up to 250% of their GDP. Plus, after Churchill had been removed as PM and Attlee put in, one of the things Labour promised to the people was the NHS. Obviously, this would require capital to get going.At this point, the US conveniently withdrew Lend-Lease aid, as Truman was having a hard time keeping it together and America's suspicions were quickly being thrown at the USSR... who was a recipient of Lend-Lease. Roosevelt and Churchill had a tacit agreement that the US would help rebuild Britain after the war, but nothing was ever set in stone and Roosevelt died before the end of the whole debacle. Thus, the British sent over a delegation (with John Maynard Keynes as part of it) to try and talk the US into giving over more assistance. They thought it would be easy because the terms of Lend-Lease were very loose. The US said, "No war, no dice." The British threw up their hands and said, "I thought we were supposed to be allies!" The US said, "Oh, we are. When the USSR tried to contact us, we pretended to lose the paperwork. We're at least talking to you." (This is obviously a bit truncated, but no joke.)However, the problem for the US at this point wasn't a completely destroyed country - the US was intact. The problem was that the US economy had been completely galvanized by the war and now it had enormous capacity... but since the war was over, there was nowhere for the goods to go. Conveniently, the British Empire owned 25% of the world. Inconveniently, there were tariffs preventing free trade.Long story short, in return for a loan to help rebuild Britain, the British gave up the empire. The Anglo-American Loan actually was the predecessor to what would be known as the Marshall Plan. (The British paid back this loan in 2006.)But no. Without the Sterling Area and all that, there is no British Empire and there won't be again.
What is the best way to revive the British Empire?
Close your eyes and pretend really hard. Did it ever really cease to exist? There is Atlanta ok the Order of the British Empire, awarded in several grades; one of the highest orders in the United Kingdom. If you look around the globe are there not still vestiges of Empire, tiny and few as they may be? Your question should be how or why, not what.Just because the globe isn’t colored in British red doesn’t mean Empire doesn’t exist. It is a state of mind. There is still the Commonwealth. Thinking back to the various British orders in which I am a member. It isn’t just Britons who are in them. I think of the Finn brothers from New Zealand who are Commanders of the British Empire, other members who are from India, South Africa, Australia, Canada and elsewhere who have all made significant contributions to Anglophile culture and the Commonwealth. To think of it solely as the British Empire is a bit limiting and demeaning to those members of the Commonwealth. What does it really mean to be British anyhow? And what is Empire? Shouldn’t we instead celebrate our shared history, cultures, and what unites and unifies is rather than some top-down management style?
When will the British empire be rebuilt?
I think that you have been thinking on these lines in isolation and without knowing about the international law and the state countries. I agree that the different regional bodies like the ones that you mentioned have been a part of the British empire but the reason for these countries to come with these regional bodies is firstly the same history of colonialism under the same empire. It is not that they want to be known to be as colonies but what they want to celebrate is that they fought for Independence. These regional bodies help the member countries to promote cooperation between the regional countries because of sharing border, similar problems and the same history.The development of international law may not have been very successful in preventing all the violations of rights or any other incidents, but what is important is to note that for the British empire to be rebuilt, Firstly the whole framework of the international law has to be broken. Further, if the other countries of the world who would join hands to discharge their obligations under the international law they would end up in a situation of a war against the world because no state likes the state of war because it demands a lot on the state’s collateral damage in terms of lives, derogation from guaranteed basic rights and international obligations, and the economic conditions and the arms forces infrastructure.It is highly improbable that in the same framework of the work that we live in, a country like the superpower and hegemonic USA would allow this to happen or this is even a possibility.
Will any former British colonies ever return to the Empire?
Maybe Guyana!Guyana, a former British colony was known as British Guiana, or “Booker’s Guiana”, became independent in 1966. As a result the name changed from British Guiana to Guyana.Guiana is an Amerindian Aboriginal word that means “land of many waters”.Guyana’s location is North East South America. Compared to other parts of South America it is the only country that has English (or creole) as it’s prime language.When the British left they left a thriving working economy with a sound infrastructure. The main employer was Bookers (-McConnell) and they controlled a number of areas from Sugar Production, Retail Stores (Booker), motor vehicles, agricultural machinery, hardware and electrical goods, pharmaceuticals, office equipment, etc.. Booker was an excellent route to train the young population and in a lot of ways to move them up the value chain. Note that Booker is associated with the Booker literary prize.In a lot of ways had the momentum been maintained today Guyana would have been the Singapore, the South Korea or the Hong Hong (China) of South America.Guyana could be the new British Overseas Territory - BOT.Reference:Guyana - Wikipedia
Americans: If the British Empire rose again, would you be willing to join it?
A recent poll showed 93% of people in Hong Kong want to be British again! Another poll in Jamaica showed 60% of people would rather be under British rule! The leader of the largest human rights group in Uganda has asked the British government to colonise Uganda again and said the Ugandan people would easily vote to be British if they were allowed to! There is momentum building up all over the world for the British Empire to rise again! America, Britannia's rebellious daughter, are you willing to become British once more?
Should the British Empire be reinstated?
Practically, I doubt it's possible nowadays. As examples: Australia and (more so) New Zealand are edging toward being declared republics in a few decades or so; taking direct control of Canada again, as mentioned, probably wouldn't please the USA much; the Indian subcontinent has a booming economy now so doesn't need our help. More so, the former colonies (not to mention the former African ones) are too independent now to even consider it. I think it's safe to say the Empire's successor, the Commonwealth, is working well at the moment and the UK will probably hold on to Gibraltar, St Helena, the Falkland Islands and the others dotted around the Caribbean and the Pacific for quite some time. The Queen is quite a unifying force in the Commonwealth, but it remains to be seen what will happen if Prince Charles takes over as Head of the Commonwealth (the title isn't hereditary so in theory it could go to anyone).