The British Empire (Part 2)

The British Empire is the largest (14.1 million square miles) and most
populous (532 million people) empire in history. It is the reason why
English is one of the world's most important languages, why 1/3 of the
world drives on the left, and why much of the world uses the
parliamentary system. Another testament to its power is the fact that
one of its former colonies, the United States of America, is the
current hyperpower.

In addition to colonizing the British Isles
and North America (discussed in part one), Britain colonized islands in
the South Atlantic, the South Pacific, and the Mediterranean (for the
purpose of Royal Navy bases). Britain also colonized Australia as a
penal colony. A joint-stock company, the British East India Company,
also controlled India from 1600 to 1857, when power was transferred to
the British crown as a result of the Sepoy rebellion. Significant
territorial gains were also made in Africa after the Berlin Conference
of 1884 during the Scramble for Africa time period. However, all of
these possessions became independent one-by-one after WWII, with the
exception of a few overseas territories. Most of the former colonies
still have ties to Britain through the Commonwealth of Nations.

For more information, read:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/2003_34_thu_01.shtml
http://www.bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/uk/armada/back/backd.html
http://www.britishempire.co.uk
The Penguin Book of Historic Speeches by Brian MacArthur
The Dictionary of Battles by David Chandler
The Guinness Book of Military Blunders by Geoffrey Regan
The Oxford Book of Military Anecdotes by Max Hastings

Military History Podcast is sponsored by Armchair General Magazine

The British Empire is the largest (14.1 million square miles) and most
populous (532 million people) empire in history. It is the reason why
English is one of the world's most important languages, why 1/3 of the
world drives on the left, and why much of the world uses the
parliamentary system. Another testament to its power is the fact that
one of its former colonies, the United States of America, is the
current hyperpower.In addition to colonizing the British Isles
and North America (discussed in part one), Britain colonized islands in
the South Atlantic, the South Pacific, and the Mediterranean (for the
purpose of Royal Navy bases). Britain also colonized Australia as a
penal colony. A joint-stock company, the British East India Company,
also controlled India from 1600 to 1857, when power was transferred to
the British crown as a result of the Sepoy rebellion. Significant
territorial gains were also made in Africa after the Berlin Conference
of 1884 during the Scramble for Africa time period. However, all of
these possessions became independent one-by-one after WWII, with the
exception of a few overseas territories. Most of the former colonies
still have ties to Britain through the Commonwealth of Nations.For more information, read:http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/2003_34_thu_01.shtmlhttp://www.bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/uk/armada/back/backd.htmlhttp://www.britishempire.co.ukThe Penguin Book of Historic Speeches by Brian MacArthurThe Dictionary of Battles by David ChandlerThe Guinness Book of Military Blunders by Geoffrey Regan