However, the legacy of British colonialism left a lasting impression on many parts of the world, leaving the former colonies politically, economically and socially unorganized.Īs a direct result of the Berlin Conference (1884-1885) (in which European colonial powers “carved up” Africa and drew arbitrary borders grouping different ethnic groups together and dividing others), and the retreat of colonial powers after World War II, various ethnic and civil wars took place, creating a destabilizing effect among newly independent states (“Berlin Conference of 1884-85”). The British Empire was transformed into the Commonwealth in which numerous states gained independence, but voluntarily associated with Great Britain (Luscombe). Post-Colonial Aftermath:Īfter World War II, with England’s economy recovering and mounting pressure for independence from colonized territories, British colonial rule throughout the world weakened. Though the process of decolonization had begun, the effects of British dominance would last for decades to come (Gandhi). Ultimately, the billions of dollars worth of debt following World War II marked the ultimate cause of the Empire’s fall by forcing Britain to “ the value and cost of its colonial possessions” under pressure from the United States and United Nations (“A History of the British Empire”). Under the increasing resentment of the colonies, Great Britain began granting independence after the second World War to countries such as Ireland and India. Although the Empire contained over 400 million people and covered the span of 13 million miles at this point, it would not be able to hold control of its colonies for much longer (Gandhi). When the Treaty of Versailles ended the war in 1919, the British Empire was awarded large portions of Africa, Palestine, and Iraq. When the world found itself facing the First World War in 1914, Britain’s affinity for imperialism meant that a fourth of the world’s people under the Empire dominion (“Historical Background”). At the dawn of the twentieth century, Britain fought an imperial war for the Boer republic in Africa and won political and economic control but faced much criticism from the British people. After losing it’s stronghold in the Americas, the Empire only began expanding elsewhere in places like India, Australia, and islands in the Caribbean (Nosotro).ĭespite the conflicts and obstacles that the British Empire faced during its rise and development, it spread to the far corners of the world and ultimately exerted its influence in numerous territories. One of the largest challenges came when the American colonies revolted in the Revolutionary War and ultimately won independence in 1776.
As the British Empire developed, however, it was not without great opposition and conflict. In territories such as India, the British began being absorbed into the trade communities and eventually took steps to overtake the governments (Gandhi). The East India Trading Company and others began seeking materials from foreign territories, as the British people could afford more luxuries than ever before. “His Majesty’s dominions, on which the sun never sets.” – John Wilsonĭuring the nineteenth century, industrialization shifted the economy of Great Britain to primarily large-scale industries, and with this, competitive commercial companies began being founded. The Rise and Development of the British Empire:
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