Case study - Rise and fall of British Empire

Question 1

Countries part of British Empire

Answer 1

Canada, Egypt, India, Australia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sudan, Kenya etc.

Question 2

The British Empire context (navy)

Answer 2

founded on exploration + sea power
royal navy dominated high seas from 1700 until 1930s
navy produced link between home country and overseas colonies
powerful ‘keep off’ symbol of military power

Question 3

How did it become a superpower?

Answer 3

colonialism
military power e.g. British navy 100,000 men (worlds largest) = used to protect trade routes and protect its power overseas
industrial revolution - high quality mass produced goods flooded global market which provided tech gap + tech was revolutionary e.g. muskets; steam ships

Question 4

Mercantilist phase 1600-1850

Answer 4

small colonies set up on coastal fringes

focus on small trades e.g. slaves + raw materials

Question 5

Imperial phase 1850-1945

Answer 5

Coastal colonies extend inland
religion; British culture intro to colonies e.g. cricket
govt and institutions set up to rule colonial population
development of more complex trade networks
tech - railway and telegraph

Question 6

Decolonialisation phase 1945-

Answer 6

after WW2 uk effectively bankrupt = cannot support empire
nationalism/anti-colonialism e.g. Gandhi and India
competition e.g. USA/USSR
Suez Canal 1956 significant example of loss of power

Question 7

Legacy?

Answer 7

retains control of 14 overseas territories e.g. Falklands
Commonwealth is association of 53 independent states (former British colonies) which consult and cooperate
new english speaking countries created
left behind stable govt template which many countries still use e.g. India
also argue British left legacy of inequality e.g. creation of different classes