Why was the british empire an empire to be proud of?

Answer 1

The simple answer is the legacy it left the world.

The more complex - but still overall simplistic - answer is below...

So why was the empire one to be proud of? In many respects it wasn't, slavery, racism, neglect and brutality were commonplace, however, the British empire was the most successful and wealthy empire of the world, and was born from its time; the British exploited what was available to them as every other powerful nation in Europe was trying to do; the British were just more successful.

Being a small island nation had, in the past, been both a blessing and a curse, firstly in trying to defend itself and secondly remain in contact with the rest of Europe.

When the New World (the Americas) were discovered Britain found itself in the centre of the world, they were no longer clinging to the edge of Europe, but strategically positioned to utilise the trade winds of the Atlantic, and box in much of Europe from advancing into the colonial world. Only Spain, France, The Netherlands and Portugal were truly positioned to offer any rivalry. Spain and Portugal had indeed been laying claim to the new world long before English and Scottish claims. Yet even with this disadvantage in starting late the British found ways to dominate the colonial era, chiefly in the use and development of technology and strategy.

The pride of the empire can be found in the legacy it left behind. The technological, social and political events that shaped the empire shaped the modern world. The American revolution gave birth in many ways to modern politics and views of liberty and free speech (which was in part inspiration of the French Revolution that followed shortly after).

The founding of colonies gave birth to nations such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and the aforementioned USA.

Now, whilst all of these have their negative connotations, mostly revolving around the displacement of native peoples, and the persecution of said natives, though this not excusable in itself it was how all of Europe saw itself, as the superior race. In fact African's had been enslaved by Middle-Eastern nations for centuries before the European powers arrived on the west coast of Africa. The British are remembered for it because of the efficiency and organisation they brought to the slave trade, and of course because of the modern nations founded by it in the Caribbean.

The negative is always put before the positive in history, mainly because it is more interesting. However, the legacy of the British empire is all around you in your everyday life. The English language, is the most spoken language of the world, due to the empire, and its success. Laws and morality span the globe, seeded by British rule. Invention, discovery, science, all found homes in the empire.

So to summarise, if you like the modern world, you have the colonial era to thank and in particular the British empire. IF you don't like the modern world, you can blame the fact that the colonial period ended to abruptly, or started at all, it is all subjective and a very diverse subject and if you want a more in depth answer I suggest reading as much you can about world history from about 1580 to present and form your own opinion.

Answer 2

They celebrate it because if we didn't have the British Empire, we wouldn't be nearly as rich a country now if we didn't take over the other countries.

I think that's right but not sure :/