The British Empire, spanning from the late 1500's all the way up to the the 20th century, was the largest and most powerful empire to ever exist in human history. A small country somehow controlled about a quarter of the world.
It is a very hot debate as to whether the Empire was a good or bad thing for the world. The Empire stopped a LOT of slavery in Africa, the Caribbean and even Asia; it also made a lot of African and Asian countries a lot more economically developed with better infrastructure, laws and rules of trading and banking etc.
A lot of Empirical history still stands today, such as in Mumbai, India; where a lot of the buildings are the ones the British built. I mean, without the Empire, Hong Kong wouldn't even exist!
Unfortunately the Empire wasn't all good. Near to the end of the Empire there was a lot of rebellion and uprising from the countries Britain ruled, which resulted in a lot of bloodshed and massacres. Some people say that the British "raped" countries of their resources and money, and took it all back to Britain, which in turn stopped those countries from developing even further.
So what's your view?
(Whatever your opinion, please explain why you have that opinion)
The Empire was a good thing
The Empire was a bad thing
I don't know enough about the Empire to have an opinion
Select gender and age to cast your vote:
Please select your age
Do you think that the British Empire was a good thing or a bad thing?
On the other side subject of the British empire weren't treated that bad since its tyranny was quite limited. It also brought principles of legal state to large parts of the world. Additionally it did not prevent the colonies to secede and the former colonies of UK have generally good relationship with their former master.
As far as I know #British#Empire had many faults but it wasn't evil. It's definitely a far cry from most of modern dictators who slaughtered people left and right Hitler, Stalin or Mao being just tip of the iceberg.
Being indian i should it sucked but being a logical person i say its a good thing that happened coz if it didn't india would still be an old traditional country with social problems and lack of technology. The British empire sure tortured people but it also opened up people's minds about what is right and what is not. The fight for equality and freedom brought india together into a nation otherwise it would be a land full of different kingdoms and rulers with no unity.
All empires are bad. I haven't yet seen an empire I liked. The British Empire stopped slavery... are you joking? They actively participated in the slave trade and especially in the violent suppression of natives in Africa. Also, what do you mean "Hong Kong wouldn't even exist"? You do know Hong Kong was already a city before the Brits occupied it?
I think all empires have their fare share of positive and negative elements
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Anonymous
(30-35)
+1 y
It is what it is. History isn't black and white.
For example I watched a program based on looking into someone's family line. A black man found out his great grandfather was a white slave owner who freed his slaves when it became illegal in American and married his great grandmother (or however many greats that would be). You see him start of the program thinking he would learn all about how his family was the victim and yet he learns it's complex.
The British empire is much the same. Freetown (sierra leone) was founded by slaves who were freed when the British empire outlawed the slave trade and used their navy to enforce that but you can't forget their part in allowing it to happen.
You also have to remember the things that wouldn't be concepts if the British had not been there. India was not a country before they turned up. (http://www. victorianweb. org/history/empire/india/before. html) It's intresting to read about the history although it doesn't change the bad that was done well they were under British rule.
I hate British Empire more than anything... they have slaughtered indians like hell in past... forced us to celebrate queen Victoria' s birthday (same thing Kim Jun doing to north Koreans)... took us as slaves... divided us into India and Pakistan... my grandfather was a freedom fighter and he spent most of his days in prison during prison... in the name of civilising us they killed us exploited and they even killed children like 4 to 5 year old citing them as threat to their empire... I know the British people today are unaware of such things and are not responsible for those sins committed by their forefathers... but I hate British Empire more than anything. They tried to destroy us but we will rise from ashes again cus we will never give up.
Well... The British empire was a thing that happened and is partially responsible for a lot of issues today ranging from the conflict in the middle east to making China communistic. The thing is however that its hard to say if its good or bad this far down the line. We seam to be heading in a good direction and that is as far as I can say about it.
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Anonymous
(18-24)
+1 y
I have to say it was good they did absolutely horrible things but they stoped barbaric conflicts stoped widow burning helped in the creation of America which in turn helped a lot more people and manny more but the bad things where they did participate in the slave trade by the way the only empire that did it and stoped it to the best of there abilities like buying slaves and setting them free captured slave ships and freed the slaves on board but they stole resources from country put artificial boarders up double crossed indigenous people by saying if they had a war with the French they would get half of the land they took but the British took 100% of that land so yes it was good but it did bad
I can tell that you are a eurofag, I can't say Britain is the brightest country in the world, after all they are still taking well earned money off the poor countries in Africa or some shit like that
I don't know what a eurofag is im afraid. As for your second point, Britain is actually giving lots of resources to African countries and India... whether it be actual money, resources or skilled workers doing voluntary jobs, we give a LOT of money to our old colonies. Quite a lot of the time, the African countries are corrupt as shit, so our money never actually gets to the people who need it; Its usually used to buy some rich guy a second helicopter :/
Kinda bad because I drive on the wrong side of the road and can't buy cheaper cars from Italy. Although the government is a dick and will find away to make up for lost cash.
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Anonymous
(18-24)
10 mo
Like a lot of empires it was just a reality. Maybe a lot less brutal than most other European empires.
British Empire occupied entire india.. They didn't developed anything other than building churches.. India was richer than British Empire before and they had taken indian kohinoor diamond
India wasn't a country before the British turned up and isn't the same country the British ruled. It's currently 3/4 countries that all made up the British raj. Your explaination makes it way too simple. History is never that easy.
Yea but India was called bharatha much before independence. We call bharat or bharatha in our language Hindi. But so many mughal leaders invaded India.. They took all wealth until then British Empire came occupied india but better than mughal evil leaders. after that we got independence due to some great freedom fighters and also due to hitler take back on British countries.. So British govt went away from India
Was in Derry two Halloweens ago. Got a £50 find for parking in Smyths wtf is that about? Crossed the peace bridge to go to the funfair thing and St Columb’s Park, then back to the foyleside to take a tour. Great kebab in that place beside the walls.
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