How Great Britain Became The Empire On Which The Sun Never Sets

In this text, we will explore how Great Britain grew to become one of the largest colonial empires in history. This expansion was made possible by several key factors, including Great Britain’s geographical location, colonial ambitions, and the Industrial Revolution.

To begin with, Great Britain extended its influence from the British Isles, a group of islands that still exist today but once served as the homeland of the British Empire. Being an island provided natural defenses, reducing the number of invasions the British faced—especially compared to past threats, like Viking invasions. During the 15th and 16th centuries, under Queen Elizabeth I, Britain established a dominant naval force to explore new trade routes across oceans and seas. This allowed Britain to build a powerful navy, which ultimately defeated the Spanish Armada. Controlling the Atlantic trade routes enabled Britain to discover new colonies, expanding the empire’s reach and filling its treasury.

With a powerful army and victory over the Spanish Armada, Great Britain became increasingly influential, enabling it to further expand its colonial territories. By the early 18th century, the British Empire had established colonies in North America and East India. Colonial governments were set up in these regions, which imposed high taxes to boost the British economy. The East India Company, founded during this period, played a significant role in the empire’s expansion, justifying colonialism by promoting the British vision of “civilizing” and educating the local populations. This public justification of colonialism is similar to how the U.S. has promoted “democracy” in places with authoritarian regimes in recent years. By the end of the 18th century, Britain had also begun colonizing Australia and South Africa, expanding so rapidly that it came to be known as “the empire on which the sun never sets.”

Moreover, Great Britain was the first nation to industrialize, leading to advancements in weaponry, widespread infrastructure, electricity, and railway lines across its borders. This industrial boom strengthened the empire’s economy and increased its military capabilities. With these advanced weapons, Britain was able to acquire additional territories by force. Unlike the less-resisted lands they previously occupied, regions like Egypt, Cyprus, Yemen, Iraq, and the Levant in the Middle East were taken from the Ottoman Empire after several conflicts. However, these colonies were eventually lost due to nationalist movements following World War II.

Despite these achievements and expansions, by the 21st century, the British Empire had transformed into a smaller, more democratic entity, moving away from its former totalitarian colonial structure. Granting independence to many colonies began with the United States declaring its independence at the end of the 18th century, followed by numerous independence movements throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Nevertheless, British influence remains strong globally. English is widely spoken today, especially in India, where British colonial rule left a lasting cultural impact. In countries like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, English is still the predominant language.

Additionally, the British legacy endures through the Commonwealth of Nations, which includes former colonies such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa. These countries recognize the British monarch as their symbolic head of state, though they are largely self-governing with their own prime ministers. This relationship reflects the lasting influence of Great Britain, which, although no longer an empire, continues to play a significant role on the world stage.