You could talk about introduction of railways and canals in Britain.

 

I would imagine that a decent working defintion of British Empire would have to be reached before attempting the question.

 

Uhh, no... Britain made a lot of money out of the slave trade. It only abolished the slave trade in the early 1800's.

 

A complete analysis of Britain's economic success is found in Braudel's Civilization and Capitalism (3rd volume).

Thanks to the utilities, they could push the scientific and industrial revolutions, which gave them the advantage. And the industrial revolution demanded new markets, which in time pushed once again the drive into colonialism.

 

Causes then are all economics: Piracy, slavery and industrial revolution.

 

 

 

Also by saling opium to the Chineses. England was the largest slave trader and it was also the first drug cartel on the planet.

 

Well, it also had industrial revolution...

 

Another important asset was a very efficient civil / military administration that knew how to use Britain's growing economic and military power (created by industrialization).  This administration was also skilled at long range planning.

 

Another factor in both the British and French colonial empires were the lethal skills of "100,000 men in mustard yellow" (British uniform color).  Though few in numbers, these troops were very experienced in both combat and the geo political aspects of empire building.  Many served overseas their entire careers in the same regiment and were intimately familiar with local conditions.   Of course, they did lose a few battles, but they won far more than they lost.  

 

The use of small numbers of skilled troops also offered another benefit is that it functioned as a "safety valve" for unemployed young men.  The imapact of casualties on the public was reduced because the men were volunteers.      

 

 

 

 

Yes. I agree Indeed. England is the only nation of those that had a Newton and a James Watt. That made the difference. However, the availability of financial resources helped.

 

Originally posted by Maharbbal Then there is another problem: chronology. Quite logically the English American empire happened before not after the appearance of the trade so it cannot explain it. The relationship between slave trade and the Indian side of empire is also very dubious (see Brenner's book on the London Merchants). Hence slave trade is just an element of Britain's power and by no mean THE reason.

 

Slavery and piracy where the starting engines.

Originally posted by Maharbbal I wouldn't say either that greed is a sufficient explaination: were the English the only greedy in the world? Were they the greediest? How do you measure a people greediness?

 

No. They weren't the only ones at all. It was an European fashion at those times.

Originally posted by Maharbbal Other factors may have played: England was the oldest nation-state in Europe (and island indeed which decresed the importance of the government as a provider of violence). A rather free society helped as well.

 

It is strange though that such a free-society promoted piracy and slavery for a long time. And that cutting heads of fine ladies at court was part of the British entertainment during those days.

 

Originally posted by Maharbbal And lets not forget luck, many countries having  known their days of glory but somehow Britain managed to lock in its advantage

 

Yes. They were lucky. No doubt about it.

 

Pinguin

 

So the British Empire had the following characteristics....

-Force is used only a last resort.  Instead, economic and political pressures are tried first

When force is needed....   

- Small numbers of experienced  regiments are employed

-They use technology, communications, and mobility to leverage their relatively small numbers

-When possible, they work closely with armed Pro British locals

 

These methods then create a long lasting Empire that economically enriches Britian.  This is not "sneaky".  Rather, it is very efficient,  intelligent and leads to fewer British and fewer colonial casualties.   Contrast this approach to the brutal Imperial  Japanese approach. 

 

 

 

 

Very true, Cryptic.

 

True, indeed. Something like the Anti-Spanish (Black Legend) statements we see quite often in the English languages sources

 

(That was my point, anyways)

 

Anyone fancy starting out. How did Britain become such a major sea power?

 

 

 

British are famous historical artifact thieves.

 

True to some extent. They were invincible in sea warfare, but they met many defeats in land, such as Boars War.