Gold and gemstones were underlying reasons for many of the territories added by the Brits to their vast empire.
Building an empire was not about the Church of England or democracy or giving technological advancement to the primitive peoples. It was aimed at building British wealth.
What goes up, alas, must come down. In the late 20th century the English colonies demanded their independence. Having lost most of their colonies, the British have carried on as a normal, post-colonial nation.
Recent decades have seen Britain losing its strength in manufacturing and technological innovation. Their economy is down.
The good news is that English remains a powerhouse in entertainment. Examples are Adele, the James Bond movies, British comedies and dramas and fashion. They remain effective at marketing, pharmaceuticals and building aeroplanes. And they have oil reserves in the North Sea.
Monday, November 26, 2012
The many cultural connections to the British Empire
