Marine Superpower

Question 1

What is a global superpower?

Answer 1

• Very powerful and influential nation

- E.g. USA, former Soviet Union and China

Question 2

How did Britain become a superpower?

Answer 2

• Pre 1850s: Small coastal colonies e.g. New England, raw materials protected and trading interests of private countries e.g. East India company protected
• 1850 to 1945: Coastal colonies extended inland, conquest of cast areas of land. Administrators set up to rule population. Complex trade patterns developed

Question 3

How did world trade change at the beginning of the 21st Century?

Answer 3

• Occurred on oceans but patterns changed
• Cheap consumer products manufactured in SE Asia transported to wealthy western markets
• Rising importance of BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China)

Question 4

What connections formed during Britain’s time as a marine superpower have remained?

Answer 4

• Global network of ex-territories formed Commonwealth

- UK cities have maritime heritage e.g. Liverpool and remain culturally diverse