In the year 1897, Britain had and maintained the largest known empire in history, thanks to its position as an influential and strong military power throughout Europe. According to scholar Greg King, the British Empire was once referred to as an empire where “the sun never set” due to its vastness: at one point, Britain held and maintained colonies on every edge of the planet. The British navy was renowned for their forcible tactics, and it was no different when imperialism became popular throughout empires in Europe. In 1897, Britain held control over countless small islands, and large countries such as India, Australia, and Canada, and they were “dominating the scramble for Africa” as they obtained Borneo, modern day West Malaysia, a piece
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The vastness of the British empire contributed to its strength, but also served as a weakness. With so many colonies spread throughout the world, many of them small in land mass, the British empire served as a target for many other countries. Fortunately, Britain had the largest and most powerful naval force at the time, and with many of their colonies being island regions, it was easy for them to be defended and they were easily maintained in control of the British empire. Moreover, Britain’s success in imperialism was helpful to their trading market, therefore improving their economy and international relations. India was rich in grain, supplying Britain and its trading partners with various types; Canada was rich in climate-resistant wheat, furs, and timber; and Australia in flour, vegetables, and fruits. Furthermore, the small islands that Britain held control over were also rich in export materials. The plethora of exports that the colonies Britain obtained through imperialism greatly contributed to their booming economy in the 19th century: by 1820 30% of Britain's exports were traded within the Empire, rising slowly to 35% by 1910. Overall, the imperialism that the British Empire initiated was influential and assisted in Britain’s rise to the top and becoming the largest empire ever, as well as the most powerful empire of the
The vastness of the British empire contributed to its strength, but also served as a weakness. With so many colonies spread throughout the world, many of them small in land mass, the British empire served as a target for many other countries. Fortunately, Britain had the largest and most powerful naval force at the time, and with many of their colonies being island regions, it was easy for them to be defended and they were easily maintained in control of the British empire. Moreover, Britain’s success in imperialism was helpful to their trading market, therefore improving their economy and international relations. India was rich in grain, supplying Britain and its trading partners with various types; Canada was rich in climate-resistant wheat, furs, and timber; and Australia in flour, vegetables, and fruits. Furthermore, the small islands that Britain held control over were also rich in export materials. The plethora of exports that the colonies Britain obtained through imperialism greatly contributed to their booming economy in the 19th century: by 1820 30% of Britain's exports were traded within the Empire, rising slowly to 35% by 1910. Overall, the imperialism that the British Empire initiated was influential and assisted in Britain’s rise to the top and becoming the largest empire ever, as well as the most powerful empire of the