How did the British Empire last so long?

Donut · 02-02-2004, 06:43 AM

How could such a small country maintain direct control over half of the world and indirect influence over the other half for over 200 years?

And what was the reasons for it ending?

Answers on a postcard please.

Barry the Sprout · 02-02-2004, 07:28 AM

As Eddie Izzard would say - flags. We used flags aggressively around the world to claim bits of land, and then backed that up with very big guns.

Stratos · 02-02-2004, 07:29 AM

It's navy perhaps? As usual when it comes to empires; a combination of military strength, technology and political manipulation.

Why it ended?
Not very popular to have colonies anymore. And resistance from the colonies.

[ 02-02-2004, 07:32 AM: Message edited by: Stratos ]

Davros · 02-02-2004, 07:53 AM

Reason for exerting so much influence - CRICKET.

Reason for it ending - all other nations got better than you at the game - we just couldn't respect you after that

Donut · 02-02-2004, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Davros:
Reason for exerting so much influence - CRICKET.

Reason for it ending - all other nations got better than you at the game - we just couldn't respect you after that

And your Head of State is who again??

Now please answer the questions!

Davros · 02-02-2004, 08:10 AM

Well I would - if'n I jus had a postcad to write it all down on

.

Timber Loftis · 02-02-2004, 09:08 AM

I think it's tea and scones. Yep, that's it. I'd let a foreigner run my village so long as he brought tea and scones.

Djinn Raffo · 02-02-2004, 12:56 PM

The British Navy.

Timber Loftis · 02-02-2004, 01:34 PM

If I understand it correctly, the British Navy is still the 3rd largest in the world. It is only bested by the US Navy, the largest, and Disney's fleet, the second largest.

Chewbacca · 02-02-2004, 03:15 PM

Infallible charm. (On both accounts) AKA the Hugh Grant syndrome.

edit- seriously I think maybe the sweep of democracy throughout much of the world had something to do with most colonial powers fading. It is hard to lord over someone elses land when self-determination is en vogue.

[ 02-02-2004, 03:24 PM: Message edited by: Chewbacca ]

02-02-2004, 06:43 AM	#1
Donut Jack Burton Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Airstrip One Age: 41 Posts: 5,571	How could such a small country maintain direct control over half of the world and indirect influence over the other half for over 200 years? And what was the reasons for it ending? Answers on a postcard please. __________________ [img]\"http://www.wheatsheaf.freeserve.co.uk/roastspurs.gif\" alt=\" - \" /> <br />Proud member of the Axis of Upheaval<br />Official Titterer of the Laughing Hyenas<br />Josiah Bartlet - the best President the US never had.<br />The 1st D in the D & D Show

02-02-2004, 07:28 AM	#2
Barry the Sprout White Dragon Join Date: October 19, 2001 Location: York, UK. Age: 42 Posts: 1,815	As Eddie Izzard would say - flags. We used flags aggressively around the world to claim bits of land, and then backed that up with very big guns. __________________ [img]\"http://img1.ranchoweb.com/images/sproutman/certwist.gif\" alt=\" - \" /><br /><br /><i>\"And the angels all pallid and wan,<br />Uprising, unveiling, affirm,<br />That the play is the tragedy, man,<br />And its hero the Conquerer Worm.\"</i><br /> - Edgar Allan Poe

02-02-2004, 07:29 AM	#3
Stratos Vampire Join Date: January 29, 2003 Location: Sweden Age: 44 Posts: 3,888	It's navy perhaps? As usual when it comes to empires; a combination of military strength, technology and political manipulation. Why it ended? Not very popular to have colonies anymore. And resistance from the colonies. [ 02-02-2004, 07:32 AM: Message edited by: Stratos ] __________________ Nothing is impossible, it's just a matter of probability.

02-02-2004, 07:53 AM	#4
Davros Takhisis Follower Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Mandurah, West Australia Age: 62 Posts: 5,073	Reason for exerting so much influence - CRICKET. Reason for it ending - all other nations got better than you at the game - we just couldn't respect you after that __________________ Davros was right - just ask JD

02-02-2004, 08:10 AM	#6
Davros Takhisis Follower Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Mandurah, West Australia Age: 62 Posts: 5,073	Well I would - if'n I jus had a postcad to write it all down on . __________________ Davros was right - just ask JD

02-02-2004, 09:08 AM	#7
Timber Loftis 40th Level Warrior Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 11,916	I think it's tea and scones. Yep, that's it. I'd let a foreigner run my village so long as he brought tea and scones. __________________

02-02-2004, 12:56 PM	#8
Djinn Raffo Ra Join Date: March 11, 2001 Location: Ant Hill Age: 50 Posts: 2,397	The British Navy.

02-02-2004, 01:34 PM	#9
Timber Loftis 40th Level Warrior Join Date: July 11, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 11,916	If I understand it correctly, the British Navy is still the 3rd largest in the world. It is only bested by the US Navy, the largest, and Disney's fleet, the second largest. __________________

02-02-2004, 03:15 PM	#10
Chewbacca Zartan Join Date: July 18, 2001 Location: America, On The Beautiful Earth Age: 52 Posts: 5,373	Infallible charm. (On both accounts) AKA the Hugh Grant syndrome. edit- seriously I think maybe the sweep of democracy throughout much of the world had something to do with most colonial powers fading. It is hard to lord over someone elses land when self-determination is en vogue. [ 02-02-2004, 03:24 PM: Message edited by: Chewbacca ] __________________ Support Local Music and Record Stores! Got Liberty?

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