Great Britain - The Mighty Conquerors

[Bretrick]

At it's height, The British Empire ruled over a quarter of the world's population.
Besides economic exploitation, The colonisation involved human rights abuses and massacres that would be unacceptable today.
Britain retains sovereignty over 14 territories outside the British Isles.
Fifteen Commonwealth realms voluntarily continue to share the British monarch, King Charles III, as their head of state.
These fifteen nations are distinct and equal legal entities – United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu.

 

[Bellbird]

"Rule Brittania." We sung that song at school over and over again.

 

[Alligatorob]

The colonisation involved human rights abuses and massacres that would be .

The "unacceptable today" words are key here. Most of our ancestors participated in behaviors that would fit that description. Easy to look back and be critical today. Not saying they were right, but knowing what's right is never simple.

Britain's accomplishments were impressive, on par with Rome, Egyptians, and Chinese Dynasties. And I suspect most of the British at the time thought it was the best thing for the world, bring civilization to the uncivilized. Though we have not been a part of the Empire in a long time the US owes our origins and many of our institutions to the British Empire.

 

[Tish]

The British were the best.

 

[horseless carriage]

Britain's accomplishments were impressive, on par with Rome, Egyptians, and Chinese Dynasties. And I suspect most of the British at the time thought it was the best thing for the world, bring civilization to the uncivilized. Though we have not been a part of the Empire in a long time the US owes our origins and many of our institutions to the British Empire.

According to the Muhlenberg legend, the single vote of Frederick Muhlenberg, the first ever Speaker of the US House of Representatives, prevented German from becoming an official language of the United States. The story has a long history and has been told in several variations, which may be based in part on actual events.

The United States, however, has no statutory official language; English has been used on a de facto basis because of its status as the country's predominant language. At times, various states have passed their own official language laws. The myth gained traction in the 1930's by the work of Nazi propagandists.

 

[Purwell]

The strange thing is that up until well into the 20th century the common populace of the UK was not being treated to the benefits of the wealth created by The Empire

 

[Lavinia]

What is behind all this Brit-bashing? Why do so many ex-colonials want to live in Britain and be regarded as British? That in itself proves that this country is still held in high regard by the majority of the world's population. Did Africa thrive under British rule? Was Rhodesia/Zimbabwe a successful country under British rule? What happened when the whites were kicked out? Africa had the potential to be a wealthy continent...sitting on all those diamonds and gold reserves. Which country realised that potential and profited from it?
It's time to start facing up to reality and acknowledge the good that Britain has done.

 

[horseless carriage]

In all 58 countries have at some time or other, been a part of the British Empire, but you could argue that it's actually 80. Prior to the American Revolution the 13 colonies were governed separately.

 

[hollydolly]

"Rule Brittania." We sung that song at school over and over again.

lol...we didn't !!

 

[Alligatorob]

the Muhlenberg legend

Thanks @horseless carriage I have long heard this story. After your post I looked it up and it seems to be more legend than fact.

You are right, we have no official national language, but few question that English is our de facto language. Good for me, I don't really speak anything else.

Muhlenberg legend
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhlenberg_legend

 

[hollydolly]

The British were the best.

..and we love you Australia !

 

[timoc]

The strange thing is that up until well into the 20th century the common populace of the UK was not being treated to the benefits of the wealth created by The Empire

Travel around the UK and observe the many huge stately homes and palaces, and what you see, in all probability, is, or has been owned by the few who did profit from 'The Empire'..... Me.... I didn't even get so much as a tangerene.

 

[Alligatorob]

Prior to the American Revolution the 13 colonies were governed separately.

And at the time of the Revolution Florida was British - East and West Florida were the 14th and 15th colonies.

West Florida is now part of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The Louisiana parishes east of the River and north of Lake Pontchartrain are still called the Florida parishes.

 

[Alligatorob]

The strange thing is that up until well into the 20th century the common populace of the UK was not being treated to the benefits of the wealth created by The Empire

I've heard that, but I think we all have benefited.

For example the industrial revolution was largely driven by the British, and without the Empire I am not sure it would have happened, not in the way it did anyway. So at some level we can thank the Empire for everything from our cars to our cell phones...

 

[Fyrefox]

Rule Brittania! I just love British patriotic music! I only wish that my German half would stop fighting with my British half…Ow!- -Hey!- - Stop it!- - Quit it, you guys!

 

[Pepper]

The Beatles. The British gave the world The Beatles.

 

[Capt Lightning]

In spite of its past, Britain is now the "sick man of the world". Overcrowded, impoverished, badly governed etc.. and those are the good bits.
Many of my friends from way back emigrated to the corners of the globe. I wish I had and I'm puzzled why anyone would want to come and live here. Maybe it's because just Britain is a 'soft touch' for everyone except the British. .

 

[fuzzybuddy]

I'm not sure what this thread is about. You don't get a worldwide empire by being "nice". Empires are not created by lofty goals; they are created by force. A supposed superiority over others is a characteristic of all empires. Empires did, and do exist all through human history. It's the messy way humans behave.