The fall of the British Empire
Every empire will fall eventually, caused by for instance, uprisings, economic difficulties, coups or polarization within the empire. In the midst of the 20th century, the British Empire would soon overextend itself, just as every other empire throughout history have. Yet, there are still signs of the greatest empire in today’s societies. Furthermore, one could interpret that there were five major reasons for the fall of the empire.
Firstly, the Indian independence movement. India had become the empires crown jewel, whereas it was the most populated colony (75% of the population of all the colonies together) and was rich with raw materials. The idea of independence grew over the years but really heated up after WWI. Where Britain had taken advantage over Indians honor in serving the military, to send them to the front lines. Soon after, movements such as Gandhi’s, picked up and in 1947, they regained their independence. After the great loss of India, there was a shift in the era of colonialism, whereas other colonies demanded independence too. …show more content…
The western world was swept by an intellectual favor of freedom and liberty in the 1920s, which caused universal suffrage and independent states. Even within Britain, the working class demanded change and rights, where they could too benefit from the wealth of the empire. In addition, some claim that the biggest factor for the British fall was the rise of nationalism and independence movement. Which further explains why empires fall apart, for example the Austria-Hungary Empire, who also suffered from countries as Bosnia wanting independence and would rather be in union with
Every empire will fall eventually, caused by for instance, uprisings, economic difficulties, coups or polarization within the empire. In the midst of the 20th century, the British Empire would soon overextend itself, just as every other empire throughout history have. Yet, there are still signs of the greatest empire in today’s societies. Furthermore, one could interpret that there were five major reasons for the fall of the empire.
Firstly, the Indian independence movement. India had become the empires crown jewel, whereas it was the most populated colony (75% of the population of all the colonies together) and was rich with raw materials. The idea of independence grew over the years but really heated up after WWI. Where Britain had taken advantage over Indians honor in serving the military, to send them to the front lines. Soon after, movements such as Gandhi’s, picked up and in 1947, they regained their independence. After the great loss of India, there was a shift in the era of colonialism, whereas other colonies demanded independence too. …show more content…
The western world was swept by an intellectual favor of freedom and liberty in the 1920s, which caused universal suffrage and independent states. Even within Britain, the working class demanded change and rights, where they could too benefit from the wealth of the empire. In addition, some claim that the biggest factor for the British fall was the rise of nationalism and independence movement. Which further explains why empires fall apart, for example the Austria-Hungary Empire, who also suffered from countries as Bosnia wanting independence and would rather be in union with