Greatest Empires

Originally posted by Praetor ... the legacy of the "short lived" british empire is enormous and you would do well to recognise it Pinguin as it is probably all around you.

Originally posted by Crusader3943 I think that the greatest was the Holy Roman Empire.

 

Originally posted by red clay Originally posted by Crusader3943 I think that the greatest was the Holy Roman Empire.       Why? None of the three words apply.

Originally posted by pinguin   Don't forget English people were the former enemies of my ancestors .   And don't forget English spread the Black legend of Spain, and made a cartoon of Catholic culture, so we learn that tactic too   Now, seeing in perspective I would say the British Empire was important and short lived. I would not say "great".   The Empire is death, long life to the current Empire   Pinguin

Pinguin, I fail to see how the English being 'enemies of your ancestors' has anything to do with their influence or greatness. Furthermore, all empires have enemies. As for the black legend and the cartoon you mentioned, all empires also endevour to spread propaganda against their enemies/rivals - Spain included!
So I can assure you, you did not learn that from the British.

In terms of power at its hieght and influence on history ("the current Empire" is but a splinter kingdom of the British empire (mind you its grown since then)) the British empire can easily be considered great, whether that  influence has been predominantly positive  or negative is really the only debate in regards to its "greatness".


Edited by Praetor - 26-Mar-2007 at 04:10

Originally posted by Maharbbal however they were also the first to outlaw slavery Technically speaking it is wrong as the French banned it first (but re-installed it rapidly) and the Danes did outlaw it in the early 19th century. Not mentionning that slavery (under this name) was still practiced and reported as such with a positive note in 1907 in Ghana (cf Gareth Austin articles).

I am not well versed in this period and you are right they were not the first but one of the first and the most important as France's ban on slavery is of little significance because they quickly reinstalled it as you said. It also took quite a long time for slavery to be abolished in practice and not just in theory across the whole vast empire.

Originally posted by Maharbbal they also started the Industrial revolution it also can be discussed. Actually, it is more likely that the real IR started in the US aroud 1850 (see Greg Clark's book: Farwell to Alms part 1 and 2).

to be blunt 1850 is when the so called "second industrial revolution" started (approximately) which grew out of the prior Industrial revolution which began in Britain.

Originally posted by Maharbbal the legacy of the "short lived" british empire is enormous that is unfortunately undenyable you would do well to recognise it Pinguin as it is probably all around you. Or they'll come back to invade Chile!

Finaly I would like to clarify that the British empire is niether my favourite empire nor in my opinion the greatest empire in history, I merely found Pinguins argument weak to say the least and I find it odd that the british empire is judged by different standards to the others empires mentioned.

Regards, Praetor


Edited by Praetor - 27-Mar-2007 at 08:35

I partially agree with you. British had influence on all over the world until beginning of 20th cetury like today's USA. Below is my list,

Edited by Hulegu Han - 10-Apr-2007 at 04:14

Why not Great Han Dynasty and Great Tang Dynasty were listed

If world history had no the part of chinese history, it would be not itself.

Originally posted by Crusader3943 I think that the greatest was the Holy Roman Empire.

LOL

Originally posted by karajoz iam agree with this list.   about the ottoman empire, isn it that they were famous for beeing the biggest destroyers in history? if you have a look in the past. nothing from the old greek, byzantineplaces are still remaning in the modern turkey. and the turks were not really really ruling over the conquerd lands, they had a minority power and left most places without any signs of there presence.