British Empire

At its height the British Empire covered almost a quarter of the world's land surface and included large areas of North America, Australia, Africa and Asia. Britain now has only 14 small overseas territories, including Bermuda, the Falkland Islands, Gibraltar and the Cayman islands. Most of the former members of the British Empire are now members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Creation of an Empire

By the beginning of the 20th century, Britain had created an empire that was larger than any previous empire, but which lacked the consistency of purpose, location and character of its Roman and Ottoman predecessors. The purposes of its various founders, at various times and places, had included escape from persecution, the exploitation of natural resources, the establishment of trading links, the pursuit of military advantage, and the mercantilist objective of preserving a positive balance of payments. Its colonies were scattered, seemingly at random, throughout the five continents. Their various forms of governance had included both direct rule and indirect rule; both assimilation (meaning the adoption of British laws and customs), and the preservation of traditional society, customs and laws. Some subject peoples experienced benign paternalism, and some suffered systematic brutality.