Reasons for Creating British Empire - Essay Example

Running head: IT WAS GREED THAT IMPALED THE BRITISH TO CONSTRUCT AND MAINTAIN THEIR EMPIRE. It was Greed that Impaled the British to construct and Maintain Their Empire. How valid is this Statement You're Name University Abstract The purpose of this compiled research was done to give evidence to the fact that the construction of the British Empire took place for a myriad of reasons. Some of the main ones had to due with economic growth, protection of the country, and fears of intrusion by neighboring countries, as well as a multitude of other logical reasoning's. The statement that it was greed that compelled the British to improve upon their homeland is in reality, false. The research will show though at times ensuring the financial stability for the mother-land did play a part; the main construction efforts were developed and established for the safety and well-being of the citizens of the country, rather than the idea of greed. The utilization of academic journals, timely books, academic web sites, and periodical articles, gives supporting evidence into this research to prove the validity of the statement that the British Empires construction was done to improve upon the British people's homeland, and living conditions, more so than any other socioeconomic factor emphasized. It was Greed that Impaled the British to Construct and Maintain Their Empire. How valid is this Statement This statement does not hold the validity that the main idea of the construction of the British Empire does, which was to provide guaranteed sustenance, a secure home-land, safety for the citizens, and the promotion of socioeconomic growth. As Porter (2002) points out in his writing, "British expansion was a matter of prudent negotiation rather than thoughtless aggression," or even greed for that matter. This defines the building of the British Empire as a construction that was not done by means of war, but rather discussion amongst other public figures of countries to gain treaties that would allow for Britain to be able to develop and expand in a humane and civil manner. Furthermore, the idea that it was greed that compelled the Britons to expand seems highly unlikely and benign as Porter defines, through his writing, that there were notably times when Britain had no real interest in imperial expansion, even though it normally occurred at a later date through negotiated treaties (219). The main cause of this Nation building its empire was more centered on necessary strategies of protection, and the social, economic, and religious factors that were involved at the time, as is being emphasized. As has been stated, there existed multi-faceted reasons for the development of this Empire. The Briton's steadfast belief in imperialism, and the idea they had to civilize and bring the idea of Christianity to the whole world held its own place in the construction of the empire. The Briton's believed that by expanding and acquiring more land they would have better safety nets for refuge in case of attack. They also wanted to secure a safe area of land so that colonializations could develop and the people could feel safe. By doing this they believed it allowed them to have the freedom to follow their own religious following. In other words, expansion brought them a religious form of refuge from persecution by Puritans like Charles I. Not only did the Briton's feel expansion was extremely necessary to provide for religious sanctity at times, but they also realized that the growing population needed a good demographic area to settle for an extended period. These were all unselfish reasons for the continuing construction of the British Empire's development and security. Furthermore, Britons were aware of the signs of animosity from neighboring countries that could pose a threat to the country's well being, and in this regard they had many defensive reasons as to why the construction of the Empire was indeed, a necessity. Their fear of Spain led them to expand into North American territories. This occurred so that a larger body of ground would be available for military strategies, which would exhume a strong military presence in a strategical manner, as a means of continuing safety for the countries demographic strong holds, and as secured protection of the countries borders as well. They implemented colonies in the African peninsula due to a growing threat from France and Germany. The reasons that were found for the conquest of the 1Zulus were to offer them further protection from countries outside of English boundaries that also could prove to be a threat to their livelihood, and socioeconomic wellbeing. So, obviously greed was not a driven impulse for expansion of the Empire. The more this discussion continues the more it becomes conceivable to assume that the main reason in behind this construction was for safety, and economic stability. At this same time, some Europeans felt that the emphasis of 2Imperialism (including slavery and domination of weaker countries) , during the construction of the British Empire was at times unfavorably and did not promote equal rights as they should have been. Even so, an article by Ferguson (2003) states that even though the British Empire did have shortcomings, and race, as well as gender were found to have played a heavy role in the development of the Empire, it was this very Empire that lead to greater trade opportunities, and the acquirement of vast tracts of land all around the world for the country of Britain. This very form of growth and expansion of the British Empire took on an ideal of Western Imperialism, yes, but it led it into a longitudal form of global expansion, in order to improve upon the Empire itself, without regard to racial ambiguities. A quote from Ferguson's article (2003) details that the strength of the British Empire did indeed lead to a strong, powerful , and steadfast country for a specific period of time in history. No organization in history has done more to promote the free movement of goods, capital and labor, than the British Empire in the 19th and 20th centuries to impose Western norms of laws, order, and governance, all around the world. (Ferguson 2003). Europeans spent a great deal of money abroad to further the British Empire's influence. They built railroads, ports, plantations, factories, and developed public utilities as well (Schmiechen 1999). In one way some would consider this as a country over-zealous and greedy for land to expand, to others it would appear as a natural developmental phase to better a country, and promote a stronger, more united political presence. There are differing opinions on the thought concept of this, but the author feels that it wasn't necessarily greed, as has been stated more than once, rather it was a way in which Britain could develop her Empire by stretching out into other parts of the globe. Mutual partnerships that formed treaties had a social and influential part amidst the changes in Britain during this period as well, such as Ireland, Israel, France, and many other powerful Nations. The basic causes and reasons for many of the Briton's work to develop the Empire during this era was all in an effort towards a mutual goal that the expansion would allow for better security within the mother-land of Britain herself. By acquiring treaties that allowed for expansion, presumptions were made that it would enforce a bond with other Allied Nations along side of Britain. This seems to have been one of the main concepts behind expanding the Empire, not greed in itself. British rulers were also fully aware that there was heavy competition among other countries to acquire resources and markets from other lands for growth and development. Britain wanted to ensure the ability to be able to properly defend herself against her rivals such as Spain, France, Holland, and likewise Germany as well. Because of the expansion of the Empire, trade and mercantilism became a common practice to improve upon Britain's economy. This was not greed but rather spurred on by logic and the idea that without a way of importing and exporting, growth within the country would not increase in a satisfactory manner. So Briton's came to realize that a good balance of trade provided the necessary resources for them to be able to maintain and protect their empire in a military minded way, as well as gaining them the ability to be able to expand further, into other territories (Cody 2000). There exists an outstanding viewpoint that the strength of the British Empire had to do with the unity of the people. Their dedication, perseverance in the face of opposition, belief of imperialism, servitude, and hard work is what historically enabled it to have sustenance, and remain a steadfast Empire throughout much of history. The British Empire was constructed for a cause endeavored to not only aid the country itself, but to help others as well. An example is one such as, immigrants seeking refuge from tyranny. In this regard there is no logical way that it can be presumed the British Empire was constructed from greed. It also did well to conceal many of its defects, and shortcomings from its adversaries. These deficient and weak areas of its structure, of course, eventually led to its downfall, but before then this Empire provided many outlets for people to sustain themselves. This Empire was a key link in the manufacturing of necessary items for its extended colonies. It provided escapes for immigrants (as was mentioned), as well as recourses for those who were facing severe poverty, which protected against civil unrest (Porter 2004). Some of the main goals of developing the Empire, had to do with allowing social reforms, building and supporting a good educational system, women's movements, and enforcing the law in the many colonies. These were all done for the betterment of the people, and the country. At the same time the positivism of the Empire is pointed out, there was negativism found within its form of power as well. There are suggestions that during this time the country was more of a tyrant itself when it came to intruding upon lands that were unable to protect themselves against a much stronger force such as Britain. Also, there are feelings that this Empire is what led to the 3First World War and to the beginning of its very own destruction (Porter 2004). Neither of these points actually focus much on greed as being a culprit, but there are scholars of history, and past remarks of political figures in that time that do theorize there was a minute of this idea in the building of the Empire, but not so much as for the other exemplary reasons that have been given. The Briton's had a strong fear of losing power over the lands they had acquired and subsequently losing any ability to control their homeland. This was one of the reasons that so many resources were invested into developing their military prowess within the Empire. The following quote goes to show why many Briton's felt the construction of an Empire was relevant to protecting the country's interests abroad and in its homeland. Someday they will come in a different moodOne of these days we will have to fight these chaps, they're getting so damn cheeky-all radicals and socialists. They want our goods (Porter 2004). Though some of the Briton's actions might have appeared greedy, the evidence showing why the behaved the way they did proves it was not greed at all. Though they already had a strong military force, the Briton's looked at the need for bettering it as a necessary and strategical element in guaranteeing their political influence throughout the globe. The Briton's desire to acquire, and retain their power in a global respect, lied heavily in their beliefs of imperialism, yet again. This was the most astounding out of all the reasons for the development of the Empire and their ability to maintain control for decades. It is assumed that what was mistakenly taken as greed by the Empire was actually their desire to gain full military prowess and control by plundering other countries. This was carried out to increase their wealth and power and to recruit those from foreign lands into their Army and Navy military services, sometimes as a payment for services rendered to specific areas of countries. Undoubtedly, the research has proven that there was a mixture of reasons for the development, construction, and expansion of this Empire, but none of these reasons can irrevocably point to greed as the underlying cause for Briton's determination to implement such an Empire. After the First World War, the British Empire was looked at in a much different way than it had been before. It was considered to be an icon of peace, and a place where family was the center mark of its highest concerns. Where before it had been viewed as an Empire that was constantly seeking conquests to obtain glory, it was then more viewed as a friendly Empirical Power, with a strong focus turning towards "internationalism" instead of imperialism as its sole idea for power and strength (Porter 2004). The ideal had indeed turned to one filled with National Pride for all that they had gained and what they had persevered through, yet retained their unyielding strength and honor through it all. Some would claim that this was held together by how the society within the Empire was run. There were different classes of people within it, and they all had different roles and responsibilities to ensure the maintaining of the Empire itself. There was the working class which was expected to give respect to elders and those above their position, then the upper class which had the responsibility of ensuring the well-being of those classes beneath them, and then the middle class which seemed to play on the median between these two other groups. However, it was the strength of this unity among the people that gave the country its strength. Work in unison has always been known to establish an improved society, and side-skirt petty issues which normally would lead to violence, there in was the way in which the Empire was able to prevent much civil unrest, as has been stated (Porter 2004). In conclusion, the evidence that has been compiled has refuted the idea that the British Empire was constructed on the basis of greed. There has been insinuations given as to this way of thought but the main purpose of the building of this Empire was never to show a sign of greediness. It was to maintain order, peace, strength, well-being, control, law, and also to promote, individual rights, group unity, trade, mercantilism, and global peace, as well as a quantifiable amount of other righteous and well meaning reasons for its construction. This is not to say that the British Empire was perfect as it was not, it had flaws and judgmental errors existed in behind its walls but the facts remain. It had a long and powerful standing in a historical perspective. The marks of this Empire can still be seen on Britain today in some of their habits and political reasoning's. In finality, it is hard to forget about an Empire that lead to the creation of so many experiences in the world, whether or not they might have been through religion, imperialism, expansion and development, or the simple idea of colonialization. The British Empire played a dramatic and well-meaning role through a great period of time in history, and it has been proven that the reasons were not greed but rather determination to be a strong, supportive, and independent Nation with the will to succeed. References Bernard, Porter. (2004). What did they know of Empire Journal of History Today. 1 Cody, David. (2000). British Empire. Hartwick College. 28 Apr. 2006 http://www.victorianweb.org/history/empire/Empire.html Ferguson, Niall. (2003). The Right Way to run an Empire for all its causes for Shame the History of British Imperialism gives us more reasons for Pride, says Max Hastings. Canadian Ethic Studies Journal. 112, 1 Porter, B. (2002). "The History of the British Empire". The English Historical Review, (470): 218 Schmiechen, James. (1999). The Age of Imperialism. A History of Western Society, 6th Ed. Study Guide, 2 441-442. Read More