The Rise and Fall of the British Empire | What People Get Wrong

What really was the British Empire—and how did such a vast system of power come to dominate the world? In this video, I’m joined by Alan Lester, Professor of Historical Geography at the University of Sussex, to explore the origins and character of British imperialism. We discuss the Empire as a collection of projects involving monarchy, business, settlement, and missionary activity, and trace its development from the colonisation of Ireland and Virginia to the expansion of the British Empire across the Atlantic and India. We examine the East India Company, capitalism, the Royal Navy, the transatlantic slave trade, and the emergence of racial ideologies that shaped global colonialism. Professor Lester considers the impact of the American Revolution, the abolition of slavery, the expansion of British rule in Africa and the relationship between anti-slavery and imperial interests. We explore how Britain governed its colonies through a mixture of consent, collaboration, coercion, and military force, before turning to the two World Wars, Indian independence, and decolonisation. Finally, Professor Lester considers how the British Empire should be remembered, remaining clear-eyed about the legacies of colonial violence and racism, the Mau Mau rebellion, "Operation Legacy", hidden archives, and today’s debates over empire, history, and Britain’s imperial past. Professor Alan Lester is Professor of Historical Geography at the University of Sussex and Adjunct Professor of History at La Trobe University. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, he has spent more than thirty years researching and teaching the history of the British Empire, with particular interests in colonialism, imperial governance and humanitarianism. His many books include Imperial Networks, Ruling the World: Freedom, Civilisation and Liberalism in the Nineteenth-Century British Empire, and Deny and Disavow. He is also the editor of The Truth About Empire: Real Histories of British Colonialism, published in 2024. The Truth About Empire: Real Histories of British Colonialism https://amzn.to/46nGSDF VIDEO CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction & Titles 01:01 What Makes The British Empire Distinct? 04:27 Beginnings: How Did The British Empire Emerge? 07:58 Slavery & The North American, Caribbean Territories 16:28 The Shift To Asia & Africa After Loss Of Western Colonies 25:31 Colonialisation Of Africa & Failure Of ‘Anti-Slavery’ Efforts 34:14 How Did Britain Manage Its Overseas Empire? 43:48 Decolonisation & The End Of Empire 56:21 How Should We Regard The British Empire Today? ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Thoughtful analysis of international relations, conflict, security and diplomacy, with weekly explainers, expert interviews, livestreams and viewer Q&As. SUPPORT INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS If you enjoy the channel and would like to support independent analysis of international relations, conflict, and security, there are several ways you can help: SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE @jameskerlindsay http://www.youtube.com/c/JamesKerLind... JOIN THE COMMUNITY AND BECOME A CHANNEL MEMBER YouTube: jameskerlindsay Patreon: Patreon: JamesKerLindsay MY LATEST BOOK! Secession and State Creation: What Everyone Needs to Know Oxford University Press https://global.oup.com/academic/produ... Amazon https://amzn.to/2MPY3W2 Some of the links above are affiliate links. These pay a small commission if you make a purchase. This helps to support the channel at no additional cost to you. #BritishEmpire #BritishHistory #Colonialism #Imperialism #History #Empire #BritishImperialism #ColonialHistory #Decolonisation #HistoricalGeography #JamesKerLindsay