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

position on an international stage also needed adjusting following WW2. Although its part in the war had earned much admiration from other nations, in reality it was the contribution of the USA and USSR that had enabled an Allied victory. These two nations had emerged as the rival global superpowers, completely overshadowing both Britain and its broken Empire. As a result of all these factors, Britain began to grant independence to numerous colonies, beginning with India in 1947. This continued up until the very end of the 20th century, when in 1997, Britain’s last notable colony, Hong Kong, returned to Chinese rule. There has been much debate as to the worthiness of the British Empire since its downfall. In the early 20th century, it was declared by Lord Curzon, viceroy of India, that ‘the British Empire is under Providence the greatest instrument for good that the world has ever seen.’ His evidence for this would have been based upon the fact that under British control, medical and educational institutions, new infrastructure and ideas about religion, politics, and science, were being spread across the country. However, this also resulted in the anglicisation of certain colonies, arguable examples being Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In the 21st century most people would now see this as a drawback to the Empire, understanding the importance and value of maintaining cultural diversity. However, the main reason for objections to the Empire is the way the British exploited the riches of the areas they conquered and harmed its indigenous groups, a major example being the slave trade of the mid-17th to early 19th century. This has led to the conclusion that in many cases they did more harm than good to their colonies. This is noticeable even today, as certain countries previously under British rule, such as Sierra Leone, have struggled to develop their own infrastructure and political voice after years of being suppressed and manipulated by British colonists. With this in mind, it might be difficult to understand why so many countries would choose to honour the British Empire and the connections it created across the world through joining organisations such as the Commonwealth. When independence was first granted to colonies following the end of WW2, countries were given the option to maintain a connection with Britain and its former dependencies by joining the ‘Commonwealth of Nations.’ Now, this organisation contains 53 nations, 32 of which are republics, 16 which have the Queen as their monarch and 5 which have their own monarch. Significantly, in recent years countries with no connection to the British Empire were permitted to join the group, two of the most recent being Mozambique and Rwanda. This point is one of a few which suggests that the Commonwealth has little connection to its imperial past. For example, it also has no army, no formal trade agreements, and is a group that is joined by choice. Perhaps the only obvious connection of the Commonwealth to the Empire is that the British Monarch remains its head. However, in the Commonwealth Charter it states that the group is ‘a compelling force for good and ... an effective network for co-operation and for promoting development.’ Even if the British Empire had much to be ashamed of, one of its main prides was the way it helped to bring new developments to poorer countries, and the many connections that it was able to develop between countries. From this knowledge it is clear that the Commonwealth is a united group of countries that honours their past connections as part of an imperial family. As a result, they have based some of their main values on the most admirable aspects of the British Empire, proving that, to a certain extent, its legacy remains relevant today. However, the main purpose of the organisation today is really to ensure that in this internationally connected world, the individual experiences and knowledge of all nations can be listened to and acted upon. As a result, all countries can come together to create changes that will ensure a more united and prosperous future.

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