Trace and Tell your Family's Empire Stories
Country Histories
Established over three centuries, the British Empire was the most extensive in the world. At its height it included territories on all continents and comprised about a quarter of the world's population and area, an estimated 458 million people and over 35 million square kilometres of land.
At the peak of its power during the Victorian era, it was said that "the sun never sets on the British Empire", so widely did its colonies span the globe. Yet by the mid-twentieth century the Empire was in decline, with increasing numbers of former colonies gaining their independence.
Today, Britain maintains control over just a handful of foreign territories, but British influence remains apparent throughout the world, in fields as diverse as economics, the military, sports and government. The English language remains an official language in many former colonies.
However, the repercussions of darker aspects of imperialism such as the exploitation of people and resources, war and massacres of indigenous peoples also resonate down the centuries and cannot be ignored.
Browser by chapterGrowing desire for self-government led to the granting of Dominion status to the former colonies of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Newfoundland before the outbreak of the First World War.
In the aftermath of the War, the Dominions and India were individual signatories of the Treaty of Versailles and, in the case of Australia and South Africa, were granted control of former German colonies. Flourishing national pride, stemming in part from the participation of Empire troops in the war, together with increasing anger at economic and racial iniquities, led to increasing demands for independence across the Empire.
Britain, like other countries, was weakened by both the financial and human cost of the war. Crippling debts, the advancing Great Depression and a shortage of men to staff colonial offices caused a relaxation of her grip over the Empire.
Nevertheless, it was during this period that Britain gained Mandates over former German colonies in Africa, creating an unbroken line of British territory through central and east Africa. Mandates were also granted over Middle Eastern territories during this period and Britain continued to resist the growing desire for independence in India and Ireland. Despite a desire for reduced military spending, a naval base was maintained in Singapore to aid in the defence of territories in the Far East.
During the inter-war years bitter conflict with the Irish and Egyptians led to independence being granted to the Irish Free State (later
