THE RISE AND FALL OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE AND THE EXTENT TO WHICH ITS LEGACY IS STILL RELEVANT TODAY Rosie Leeson (OHS) The British Empire can be viewed as the symbol of an era in history when Britain’s international power and significance as a nation reached heights previously unknown. It followed a number of equally influential and important empires that had left a lasting impression upon the world, and would also survive to see the fall of other major powers, such as the collapse of the Ottoman Empire at the end of the First World War. The British Empire has been termed ‘the first genuinely global empire’ on which ‘the sun never sets,’ as it encompassed roughly ¼ of the world’s landmass and population. As a result, this made it the largest empire in history. However, similar to its predecessors, the British Empire also came to an end during the mid20th century, as nation after nation began to demand independence from British rule. And yet, despite its clear downfall, there remains the debate as to whether the British Empire still retains some significance in the 21st century. Technically it still exists in a very basic form, with 14 territories still under British rule in 2015. Furthermore, the creation of the Commonwealth has meant that the former territories of the Empire are still connected within one association, with the current British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, as its Head. Traces of the old Empire have therefore been woven into modern politics, suggesting that its legacy still remains strong and relevant. The exact origins of the British Empire remains unclear, however it is believed Britain first attempted to establish settlements overseas in the 16th century. Unlike the orderly expansion of other major empires, the early settlements created within the British Empire were the work of different enterprises and companies, meaning the colonies were essentially ‘self-managing enterprises.’ However, this changed rapidly as the crown began to take control of colonies involved in trade and shipping. It was at this point, therefore, that Britain began to see the potential of these areas in terms of the raw materials they contained. By introducing policies such as the Navigation Act of 1651 they were able to enforce a closed economy between Britain and its colonies; all imports from the Empire had to pass through England, and all exports from the Empire had to be taken on English ships to the British market. Throughout the following centuries, Britain’s Empire continued to grow, gaining some of its most valuable
additions such as Canada in 1763 and India in 1858. As a result, Britain began to expand the range of ways it could make use of its colonies. For example, they were ideal for stationing military garrisons and bases, could be used as land to provide homes for their own population, and their resources could be used to create trading links with other nations. Later in the 20th century, their supply of men would prove invaluable for the Allies in their efforts to gather troops to fight during WW1. As a result, Dr Zoe Laidlaw has stated that ‘Britain’s empire overseas was characterized by its diversity.’ Nevertheless, many of the colonies became resentful of the power the British exercised in their country, and it was this resentment that created the first fractures in the Empire’s seemingly strong foundations. In 1839 it was proposed that some of Britain’s colonies should be offered the idea of ‘limited self-government’; in other words a cabinet of ministers chosen by the people would carry out executive powers in place of the officials chosen by the British Government. This was put into place in Canada in 1847, and was extended to Australia, New Zealand, and what would become South Africa, at a later date. Eventually these colonies were granted the status of dominions in 1907 as they had such control over their internal affairs. This marked an effective separation between Britain and these nations, exemplified in the aftermath of WW1 when the dominions joined the new League of Nations as independent states. Eventually in 1931 the Statute of Westminster declared these dominions to be independent countries within the British Empire, of equal status to Britain itself. For other nations, the path to independence was not so simple. Nationalism was growing in many colonies following WW1, and yet Britain was unwilling to let its Empire fall apart. The result of this was seen most clearly in India, a country which had been described as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the British Empire. Their independence movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi, was gaining support across India, with Gandhi overseeing three nationwide movements in 1920 - 22, 1930 - 34 and 1942. Fearful of losing one of the Empire’s biggest assets, the British responded to any signs of resistance with violence. For example, one of the most shocking acts of the British was the Amritsar Massacre of April 1919, when soldiers fired into a crowd of peaceful protestors gathered in Punjab. However, these acts of violence instead confirmed the popular opinion that Britain was unworthy to rule over India, thereby strengthening the nationalist beliefs of the people. The turning point for the countries desiring independence came after the end of WW2. Britain was crippled by the war. It owed huge amounts of debt to other countries, and also faced the challenge of how to find the money to rebuild its own damaged towns and cities. It was therefore financially unable to maintain and support its huge empire any longer. Britain’s
