The British armed forces played a key role in establishing the British Empire as the dominant world power in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. This quiz is based in 1921 and the Anglo-Irish treaty was signed on December 6th, and it transitioned to a self governing dominion in 1922, and since there is a caveat including dominions, Ireland still counts even then. British concepts of free trade, legal systems and the English language, amongst other aspects, still play a fundamentally important role in many of the countries of this region down to the present day. The United States and Soviet Union emerged from the Second World War as the new global superpowers, and the independence movements … Australia on January 1, 1986. 2. Britain was the topmost global power for more than a century. The map below shows the British Empire at its territorial peak in the early 20th century. Maritime expansion, driven by commercial ambitions and by competition with France, accelerated in the 17th century and resulted in the establishment of settlements in North America and the West Indies. However, a lot of countries have since left the UK’s rule. The British Empire was a crucial component in shaping lives, peoples, travel, economy, technology, politics and culture for hundreds of years. Britain has been far from a stranger to conflict and colonisation over the years. The British Empire was made up of the colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories which were controlled by the United Kingdom.. The empire covered more than 13,000,000 sq mi (33,670,000 km 2 ), almost a quarter of the Earth’s total land area. The Second World War. Although the term 'British Empire' is rarely used today, some destinations do remain in the form of 'overseas territories'. Astoundingly though, as our chart shows, there are only 22 countries which have never been invaded by … Map of A map from 1915, showing countries of the British Empire, drawn to a uniform scale according to their white population. Of the nearly 200 countries out there, the Brits have invaded all but 22. Great Britain made its first tentative efforts to establish overseas settlements in the 16th century. When the British Empire was at its peak, its dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories spanned a quarter of the globe. 1. UK more nostalgic for empire than other ex-colonial powers. The pre-1707 English overseas possessions became the nucleus of the First British Empire. Notable militarised interstate disputes are included. The British Empire is a term used to describe all the places around the world that were once ruled by Britain. History Quiz / Countries of the British Empire Random History or Nation Quiz Can you name the modern countries that were part of the British Empire? Pitcairn Islands include Oeno, Ducie, Henderson and Pitcairn islands. The British Empire ruled over many countries in Africa, beginning in 1870. The Empire ranked at an impressive #5 when it came to the rest of the world, with the population coming to 412 million people in 1913. The British Empire was made up of the colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories which were controlled by the United Kingdom.. When the British Empire was at its peak, its dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories spanned a quarter of the globe. "The sun never sets on the British Empire." 20 April 2016, 3:35 am. Emigration and immigration , Contract labor , Colonies. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This is a list of wars and humanitarian conflicts involving the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and its predecessor states (the Kingdom of Great Britain, Kingdom of England, Kingdom of Scotland and generally the British Isles). The list was derived by using the Stamp Sales Circuit Categories of the American Philatelic Society, and the abbreviations shown in parentheses are those used by the Society. Together, these countries formed the British Empire. The Bengal FamineIn 1943, a deadly famine swept the Bengal region of modern East India and Bangladesh. Between one and three million… They include: 1. Places. By the turn of the 20th century, fears had begun to grow in Britain that it would no longer be able to defend the metropole and the entirety of the empire while at the same time maintaining the policy of "splendid isolation". Belize on September 21, 1981. In 1802, the United Kingdom was formed with the merger of Great Britain and Ireland, and at its height in 1922, the British Empire held sway over 23% of the world's population, and almost 1/4th of the world's territory. Membership today is based on free and equal voluntary co-operation. You don't need to learn them all, or their dates, just be aware of a good number and where some of them were. Unfortunately, the people they wanted it back… Also Gibraltar is not a country. - United States passes legislation banning the slave trade, effective from start of 1808. It began with the overseas colonies and trading posts set up by England between the late 16th and early 18th centuries. The British colonies made up about a quarter of the world's population and area. Since 1949 independent countries from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific have joined the Commonwealth. Write. The British Empire was a response to this anarchic situation. The Commonwealth is an association of countries across the world. The flags of a free empire, showing the emblems of British power throughout the world The dominions had long histories of British settler migration and by 1914 all, apart from South Africa, had European majority populations. After the Second World War, the disintegration of Britain's empire transformed global politics. By emerging victorious from conflicts, Britain has often been able to decisively influence world events. Queen Victoria's 1837 ascension to the throne ushered in British empire industrialization and global expansion. Jessica Brain is a freelance writer specialising in history. The majority are islands. For better or worse, the impact of the British Empire has earned its place in the history books. At its height, it was the largest empire in history and, for over a century, was the foremost global power. Since the end of the British Empire, the UK has remained a major military power. The history of British imperialism during the nineteenth century describes a process of expansion and consolidation, its success all the more remarkable for its unpromising beginnings. However, a lot of countries have since left the UK’s rule. Created by. The 22 countries that escaped Britain’s invasion are Monaco, Mongolia, Marshall Islands, Mali, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Kyrgyzstan, Ivory Coast, Andorra, Bolivia, Belarus, DemocraticRepublic of Congo, Burundi, Central African Republic, Guatemala, Chad, Paraquay, Vatican City, Tajikistan, Sweden, … Subjects. This is not all of them! teachersteph TEACHER. On your own, research and write down a definition for the following words: Empire Colony 5 mins! The British Empire stretched into each part of the world. However, the legacy of British colonialism left a lasting impression on many parts of the world, leaving the former colonies politically, economically and socially unorganized. The British Empire in 1920. PLAY. Before the war, Britain maintained colonies all over the world, which provided valuable raw materials, manpower and strategic bases. These Are The Territories Still In The British Empire. At its height, it was the largest empire in history, and the world's most powerful superpower for more than a century. The Commonwealth is an association of countries across the world. By 1922 the British Empire held sway over about 458 million people, one-fifth of the world’s population at the time. A new map is making the rounds that shows the places where the British have invaded. This is what British historian Stuart Laycock learned after his son asked him how many countries Britain had invaded. The British Empire. Which countries were part of the British Empire in 1914? Read full article. Some of these changes involved innovations in medical care, education and railways. Everybody knew that the British loved to conquer lots of countries for their precious empire. Although historically connected to the British Empire, any country can apply to be a member of the Commonwealth, regardless of its intersection with Britain’s colonial past. This article is more than 1 year old. Former colonies of the British Empire. At its height, it was the largest empire in history, and the world's most powerful superpower for more than a century. Enemies of colonial empires will disagree; they will shout that the motives were greed and expansionism. For the sake of the this quiz it would make more sense to leave it out. Below the 1910 propaganda map showcasing oversized flags of British colonies, this map artificially increases the apparent influence and presence of the British Empire. The foundations for the empire were laid between 1750 and 1850 during which Britain acquired India, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Rhodesia, Hong Kong, Gibraltar, several islands in the West Indies and various colonies on the African coast. The British Empire was a crucial component in shaping lives, peoples, travel, economy, technology, politics and culture for hundreds of years. Canada (2.39%) Australia (2.14%) Egypt (1.69%) Other territories (2.97%) The following table gives gross domestic product (GDP) estimates of the British Empire and its territories in 1870 and 1913, as a percentage of the world economy and the empire's economy, along with comparisons to the United States and Russian Empire. Bahamas on July 10, 1973. By Ben Westcott, CNN. On a January evening in 1896, a famous British statesman, Joseph Chamberlain, attended a banquet in honour of an Englishman about to go to Australia as a colonial governor. First published in 1970. The map below shows countries of the British Empire drawn on a uniform scale of 1:60,000,000. Geography Quiz / Modern Countries of the British Empire. Recognising that it was overstretched in the Pacific and threatened at home by the Imperial German Navy, Britain formed an alliance with Japanin 1902 and with … The British Empire comprised of Britain, the 'mother country', and the colonies, countries ruled to some degree by and from Britain. By 1670 there were British American colonies in New England, Virginia, and Maryland and settlements in the Bermudas, Honduras, Antigua, Barbados, and Nova Scotia. The British empire brought many changes to many people and many countries. The British Empire held Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji, Western Samoa, India, Burma, Papa New Guinea, Malaya, Sarawak, Brunei, Oman, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Northern and Southern Rhodesia, Tanganyika, Zanzibar, Mauritius, the Maldives, South Africa, Swaziland, Nigeria, Gold Coast, and Sierra Leone, among other countries during its reign. The Commonwealth has its roots in the British Empire. By 1922 the British Empire held sway over about 458 million people, one-fifth of the world’s population at the time. The homophobic legacy of the British Empire. Which countries were the first British colonies? Level 48. These fifty-three nations have a combined population of over two-point-three billion people, … These places are also known as British Overseas Territories. The Empire was established over three centuries, and came about because of commercial and political motives. It all began back in the 1600s when Britain first set up the East India Company in order to bring silk, spices, tea, and salt from India to Europe. Made Other Countries Rich. Built over many years, it grew to include large areas of North America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Africa, as well as small parts of Central and South America, too. The pre-1707 English overseas possessions became the nucleus of the First British Empire. The empire covered more than 13,000,000 sq mi (33,670,000 km 2 ), almost a quarter of the Earth’s total land area. The extension of settlement, including the effects of contact between European settlers in Australia and Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples. 1807 - Britain passes Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, outlawing British Atlantic slave trade. 20% of the entire population of planet Earth lived within it, and it covered some 13 million square miles. From the 1870s, in search of new markets to trade with, and facing competition from other countries, such as Germany and France, Britain set out to gain control and influence over new overseas territories, particularly in Africa. The British Empire was once a highly-populated and dense area when compared to the rest of the world. With the end of the Victorian Era in 1901, Great Britain was the world's largest imperial power with 14 million square miles of territory and around 30 percent of total industrial output. Category: 19th century. Other ways included settler farmers and explorer missions sanctioned by the British crown. The British Empire was a global empire acquired and ruled by the Kingdom of Great Britain (or, from 1801 the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, called "Great Britain" or "Britain" in historical studies). However by 1981 the British Empire had come to an end after it could no longer afford the maintenance of such a big Empire. The British Empire - Countries during Victorian era. The map shows the white population in 1915 for the British Isles: 45 millions, Canada: 7 millions, Australia: 4.5 millions, South Africa: 1 million, and New Zealand: 1 million. As a result of the British Empire, British influence can be observed in the language, culture and legal systems of many of its former colonies including Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and the United States; a common culture coined today as the Anglosphere. Canada on July 1, 1982. He dug into the history of almost 200 … The British Empire used to be pretty darned big. Of the current 200 nations in the world, the British have invaded all but 22 of them.The lucky 22 include Sweden, Luxembourg, Mongolia, Bolivia, and Belarus. It's one of the few countries … While the sun now does set on the British empire (and increasingly earlier during the Winter months), in terms of British conquests, the country still covers the globe. Updated 4:33 AM ET, Wed September 12, 2018. The last 2 countries to join the Commonwealth - Rwanda and Mozambique - have no historical ties to the British Empire. Click to see full answer. If you are counting Hong Kong, which has been a country, you must accept China for an answer. Flashcards. The British Empire began to expand into Africa in 1880 and by 1913 the empire had control over 458 million people and 25% of the world’s land. At the outbreak of war in 1914, the British Empire was the largest empire with territories and colonies as far as Canada, Australia and China. Queen Victoria's 1837 ascension to the throne ushered in British empire industrialization and global expansion. British India (1858-1876) was a part of the United Kingdom.When Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India in 1876 India became an empire in itself with in the British Empire.. History [edit | edit source]. The Empire may be gone in Asia but aspects of its legacy continue on. The British expanded their influence from these footholds until, by the 1850s, they controlled most of present-day India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The Commonwealth consists of 54 countries… Jamaica was obtained by conquest in 1655, and the Hudson’s Bay Company established itself … Akrotiri and Dhekelia — two military bases on Britain's former colony Cyprus 2. Enemies of colonial empires will disagree; they will shout that the motives were greed and expansionism. The British Empire was one of the main belligerents during the First World War. Chamberlain was called upon to … A number of German colonies and protectorates and Ottoman provinces were held as mandates by the United Kingdom ( Tanganyika, British Cameroons, Togoland, Palestine and Mesopotamia ); and its dominions of Australia ( New Guinea, Nauru ), New Zealand ( Western Samoa ), and South Africa ( … Ivory Coast was never a British colony. STUDY. Both Canada and the United States have areas in them that were once British colonies. Today, the US is not governed by the UK, and Canada is a sovereign nation but a constitutional monarchy with the Queen of Canada (Queen Elizabeth) as the head of state. British Empire 1920s. It began with the overseas colonies and trading posts set up by England between the late 16th and early 18th centuries. Since the Act of Union in 1707, the United Kingdom has ruled vast swaths of land across the world. This phrase was often used to describe the British Empire at the peak of its power as the largest empire in … Germany was rapidly rising as a military and industrial power and was now seen as the most likely opponent in any future war. Brunei on January 1, 1984. The largest, richest, and most powerful empire in world history was the British Empire. The British Empire was composed of the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates, and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom and its predecessor states. It began with the overseas possessions and trading posts established by England between the late 16th and early 18th centuries. At its height it was the largest empire in history and, for over a century, was the ... Spell. There remain 14 British Territories Overseas. The British Empire. The British armed forces played a key role in establishing the British Empire as the dominant world power in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. Although historically connected to the British Empire, any country can apply to be a member of the Commonwealth, regardless of its intersection with Britain’s colonial past. In addition to Palestine (which I would keep in the quiz), I would also include Jordan, a client state similar to Egypt and Iraq. British troops were also in Iran (Persia) from the end of WWI to the 1950s. At its height, it was the largest empire in history, and the world's most powerful superpower for more than a century. In the 15th and 16th century English and Scottish people started establishing colonies overseas and among many reasons, the main were trade and financial benefit. The British Empire, the largest Empire to have ever existed to date was formed by the union of the empires of England and Scotland in 1707. In the 1950s, the people of Kenya decided they wanted their nation back. No British government pursued all-out expansion: some countries asked to join the Empire … The British empire fought to abolish slavery in the 1800s, but it profited from slavery in the 1700s. Note, also, that there is a difference between what is meant by "British Empire" and what is meant by the term, "British Commonwealth". The British Have Invaded 90 Percent of the Countries on Earth. At its height, it was the largest empire in history and, for over a century, was the foremost global power. After some countries around the world began gaining some level of freedom from Britain, … The full analysis is available in Stuart Laycock’s book, All the Countries We’ve Ever Invaded. Anguilla 3. Nov 2, 2020. British Empire 1920s. Territories were held across the continents. Over a span of some three centuries Great Britain brought lands on every continent and islands in every ocean under its rule. By emerging victorious from conflicts, Britain has often been able to decisively influence world events. At the peak of its power, the phrase " the empire on which the sun never sets " was often used to describe the British Empire as its expanse around the globe meant that the Sun was always shining on at least one of its territories. Chinese coolie emigration to countries within the British Empire. (CNN) A wave of joy and … This article is more than 1 year old. Why the British Empire was a good thing? Which countries were the first British colonies? Botswana on September 30, 1966. Its an interesting idea, made me think, but the definition as to what makes it part of British Empire needs to be cleaned up. The famed expression once applied to the British empire "upon which the sun never sets", was first used to describe the Spanish empire to Charles I of Spain (1512-1556). How big … Since the Act of Union in 1707, the United Kingdom has ruled vast swaths of land across the world. 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