British Imperialism

[coollino]

With regards to the poll, are we talking about the First Anglo-Boer War or the Second Boer War?

Boering

 

[Lord Buckethead]

Why just limit this to Britain? Maybe it would have less bias if it was a general examination of imperialism, historical and modern.

Damn right, Screw Welsh Imperialism as well. Coming over here planting their leeks.

 

[ForeverBlue92]

Another time where empires were important.

From a nationalistic perspective it was fantastic that we ruled the world so to speak. If we didn't conquer the world then someone would have conquered us.

Probably wouldn't be a good thing now invading other countries.

This is what many modern historians and folk forget when debating topics such as imperialism and enpires.

Back then it was a dog eat dog world - we were invaded and we also did invasions.

If it wasnt us it would have been someone else and alot of us wouldnt have the economy/lifestyle we do now had the country never acquired its wealth over the course of its history.

 

[The binman chronicles]

We can trace the beginning of the end of the empire through the teaching of one captain after being interviewed for a documentary in the trenches if he liked being a soldier:

Well, you see, I did like it, back in the old days when the prerequisite of a British campaign was that the enemy should under no circumstances carry guns — even spears made us think twice. The kind of people we liked to fight were two feet tall and armed with dry grass.

Interviewer: Now, come off it, sir — what about Mboto Gorge, for heaven’s sake?

Captain: Yes, that was a bit of a nasty one — ten thousand Watusi warriors armed to the teeth with kiwi fruit and guava halves. After the battle, instead of taking prisoners, we simply made a huge fruit salad.

No, when I joined up, I never imagined anything as awful as this war. I’d had fifteen years of military experience, perfecting the art of ordering a pink gin and saying “Do you do it doggy-doggy?” in Swahili, and then suddenly four-and-a-half million heavily armed Germans hoved into view. That was a shock, I can tell you.

And thus the game was up for the empire.

 

[JimmyJeffers]

This is what many modern historians and folk forget when debating topics such as imperialism and enpires.

Back then it was a dog eat dog world - we were invaded and we also did invasions.

If it wasnt us it would have been someone else and alot of us wouldnt have the economy/lifestyle we do now had the country never acquired its wealth over the course of its history.

So slavery was a good thing?
I mean many people forget that Hitler bought about zero unemployment but you wouldn’t really discuss it when talking about the crimes of nazi Germany would you?

 

[tonyhorne]

On one hand you have to wonder what some other nations who were trying to have the same influence as the British would have turned the world into. On the other, I can't help but feel it was a hugely wasted opportunity. It is typically British to squander the chance to change things for the greater good in order to give a small minority vast wealth, making sure that you divert attention by throwing the masses their jingoistic soma ...

 

[blue1948]

Another time where empires were important.

From a nationalistic perspective it was fantastic that we ruled the world so to speak. If we didn't conquer the world then someone would have conquered us.

Probably wouldn't be a good thing now invading other countries.

WHAT ?

 

[Boss_Blue]

Why just limit this to Britain? Maybe it would have less bias if it was a general examination of imperialism, historical and modern.

Because I wanted to start a discussion specifically on British Imperialism mate

 

[blue1948]

This is what many modern historians and folk forget when debating topics such as imperialism and enpires.

Back then it was a dog eat dog world - we were invaded and we also did invasions.

If it wasnt us it would have been someone else and alot of us wouldnt have the economy/lifestyle we do now had the country never acquired its wealth over the course of its history.

Just how do you work that out ? In Finland (who have NEVER invaded anywhere) the standard of living is arguably the best in the world .

 

[Boss_Blue]

I mean many people forget that Hitler bought about zero unemployment but you wouldn’t really discuss it when talking about the crimes of nazi Germany would you

@Ashtonian says hi.

 

[JimmyJeffers]

Just how do you work that out ? In Finland (who have NEVER invaded anywhere) the standard of living is arguably the best in the world .

Could argue that imperialism created a stronger bourgeoisie and kept all us serfs suitably subdued.

 

[JimmyJeffers]

@Ashtonian says hi.

 

[BrendanGOT]

You only have to look across the water at 30 odd years of war from the troubles to see why British imperialism was bad.

 

[ForeverBlue92]

So slavery was a good thing?
I mean many people forget that Hitler bought about zero unemployment but you wouldn’t really discuss it when talking about the crimes of nazi Germany would you?

You cant compare actions of nations from centuries ago to modern day standards.

What were human rights back then?
What were womens rights?
What did people think about people of other races?
What were animal rights?
What were workers rights?
What were civil rights?
Our King chopped the heads of his multiple wives off - if Prince William did that today he would be banged up in strangeways for life.

History teaches us that human existence was a dog eat dog world for most of its time - thankfully we are now alot more civilised in most parts.

 

[Zezti]

There's some good, some bad.

+ The size of the empire was an impressive feat for the time.
+ A lot of technology and infrastructure was built in developing colonies.
+ Helped make English the widely spoken language it is today.

- Oppressive
- Incredible greed
- Slave trade
- Stifled natural growth
- Made a mess of the maps drawing country boundary lines all over the place in middle-east/Aisa which is still causing problems