The Fall Of The British Empire By Kaite Lansford

Power By the 17 th century, Britain had become the most powerful and imperialistic nation in the world. It was said that the sun never rose or set on the British Empire. The British Empire had the most formidable naval power in the world. However, it was not characterized by military control or dominance.

Ireland In 1953, Ireland became the first settlement for the British Empire. Britain wanted to impose the Protestant religion onto the Irish Catholics. From 1845 to 1848, 1 million people died of starvation. 2 million migrated out of Ireland due to lack of food. In 1922, Southern Ireland became independent. Britain and Ireland were in conflict at a high cost to Britain.

The New World Religious intolerance and the need for religious freedom were the reasons for the Pilgrims and Puritans fleeing to the New World. During the 17 th, Britain founded colonies along the east coast of North America. The 13 colonies were prized possessions of the British Empire. Many of these colonies were very lucrative. The colonists declared independence in Britain officially recognized their independence with the Treaty of Paris.

The New World The economic loss of the colonies hit the British Empire hard. Economic loss and cost of war was about £242.9 million. Not to mention, the British Empire’s humiliating disgrace in the eyes of the European world.

India Seven Years’ War was the first global war from During this time, Britain and France were at war over India. British gained control over India. Britain formed the East India Company to manage and settle India. India was well known for silks, spices, tea, timber, gemstones, iron ore, coal, copper, and limestone. The products could be traded and sold to other countries.

India With the expansion of the railroad system, India became a major supplier of raw materials during the Industrial Revolution. Imports and exports from and to India were the most lucrative investment for the Britain. India was considered the jewel in Britain’s crown of Imperialism. The East India Company became corrupt and suppressed the local Indians from making profits and taxed them heavily.

India In 1930, Mohandas Gandhi led the Salt March to protest against the British tax levied on salt. Gandhi also led hunger strikes and peaceful protests for the independence of India. India was granted independence from Britain in India’s independence was a major economic blow for the British Empire.

Napoleonic War The ruler of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, wanted to overtake Britain and its overseas trade. In 1803, Britain declared war on France to protect its overseas trade. Britain was victorious, but at an enormous cost. The war ended in 1815 and cost £100 million. The national debt was at £834 million. This put further strain on the British economy.

First World War Before the First World War, Britain was the world’s largest creditor. Britain was also the world’s largest exporter of goods. The Treaty of Versaille ended the First World War with Germany. The treaty divided the territories belonging to Germany amongst the Allies.

First World War The territories given to Britain became economic burdens. The war debt totaled more than 4 billion dollars. This was a devastating economic blow to the British Empire.

Second World War During the Second World War, Adolph Hitler wanted to over take Britain. Britain’s military had weakened because a naval military was no longer powerful against aircrafts and tanks. In 1945, Germany was defeated with the military and financial aid of the United States and other allies.

Second World War Postwar debt of $30,073 million left Britain in total economic devastation.

Suez Canal Crisis In 1869, the Suez Canal opened for navigation. The canal joined the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Britain invaded Egypt and occupied their country for 54 years. In the mid 1950’s the Egyptian president took over the canal. Britain, France, and Israel attacked Egypt and took back control.

Suez Canal Crisis The U.S. President, Dwight D. Eisenhower was furious because this was not good for the on- going Cold War with the Soviet Union. Britain withdrew troops after pressure from the United Nations. This humiliated the British Empire and showed that Britain’s reign of world dominance had ended.

Summary For 4 centuries the British Empire had been the most powerful world power. The rise and fall of each territorial conquest came at a huge expense until the Empire’s debt outweighed its income. The Empire’s military did not keep up with modern warfare and became weak. The British Empire came to an end not long after the Suez Canal Crisis.