The British Empire
Facts:
· Started with the trading posts overseas in the 16th and 18th century
· At its height it was the largest empire of all time
· 1922 – empire held over 458 million people
· The empire covered more than 33, 700, 000km²
· Started because England was envious of Portugal and Spain’s wealth as they established overseas empires – so England began to establish colonies and trade networks with Asia and the Americas
· 1783 – North America established independence and Britain lost its oldest and most populous colonies, so they began to turn their attention to Asia, Africa and the Pacific
· WWI put a strain on the empire, but in WWII Japan took over the British colonies in South-East Asia
· British India achieved independence in a larger decolonisation movement after the war
· At its height it was the largest empire of all time
· 1922 – empire held over 458 million people
· The empire covered more than 33, 700, 000km²
· Started because England was envious of Portugal and Spain’s wealth as they established overseas empires – so England began to establish colonies and trade networks with Asia and the Americas
· 1783 – North America established independence and Britain lost its oldest and most populous colonies, so they began to turn their attention to Asia, Africa and the Pacific
· WWI put a strain on the empire, but in WWII Japan took over the British colonies in South-East Asia
· British India achieved independence in a larger decolonisation movement after the war
The Two Empires:
First British Empire: 1583-1783
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Second British Empire: 1783-1815
Loss of the Thirteen American Colonies
Exploration of the Pacific
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Context and beliefs
The Good Old Days of Honourable John Company
o Sense of segregation and the division of wealth (between the Indians and British)
o India doesn’t appear to be as developed as England and is looked down upon because of it, “so old fashioned in our eyes as to raise a smile of contempt or ridicule”
o Sailing unexplored countries was a dangerous task, “to the utmost risk of his life.”
o There is a certain scientific knowledge which explorers and the gentlemen in England are expected to know: “Every one acquainted with the principles of chemistry knows…”
o Sense of segregation and the division of wealth (between the Indians and British)
o India doesn’t appear to be as developed as England and is looked down upon because of it, “so old fashioned in our eyes as to raise a smile of contempt or ridicule”
o Sailing unexplored countries was a dangerous task, “to the utmost risk of his life.”
o There is a certain scientific knowledge which explorers and the gentlemen in England are expected to know: “Every one acquainted with the principles of chemistry knows…”
The New Monthly Magazine 1824
o Exotic impressions of Indian culture, as well as the increase in poverty in that area
o “the price he might pay in loss of time or health”
o “so opposite is the appearance of the natives”
o “European grows fascinated with India”
Words and Phrases thanks to the British Empire
Chop Chop (China)
Kangaroo (Australia) Wombat (Australia) Boomerang (Australia) Chipmunk (Indigenous language of the Americas) Eskimo (Indigenous language of the Americas) Husky (Indigenous language of the Americas) Moose (Indigenous language of the Americas) Racoon (Indigenous language of the Americas) Skunk (Indigenous language of the Americas) Wigwam (Indigenous language of the Americas) |