Can the British Be Proud of Their Empire?

Can the British be proud of their Empire? Britain had the largest empire in the world, by 1900. They were ruling an estimated 25% of the globe, but just because Britain had the most power, it doesn’t mean that they used it for the best. For example, Rani Lakshmi, was an Indian Princess and when her husband died the British took his land, and the natives had no say in the matter. The British also tried to change their customs even though they didn’t want them changed. The Indians tried to fight against the British and drive them out of India, but they failed.

They also punished survivors and fired cannon balls through them at a close range! On the other hand, Mrs Mary Calvert, was a Christian Missionary and sailed to Fuji with her husband and tried to change the native’s ways, as they would chop someone’s fingers off if they stole something, or if a woman’s husband died the woman would have been strangled. So Mrs Mary Calvert changed the natives, so as Christians they would stop their terrible ways. But there were many people and tribes that the British helped but many were taken for advantage. Like Chief Lobengula.

He was an African Chief and was asked by the British if they could use some of his land for gold mining, in exchange for tools and guns. But the British took it too far and stole more land, and used it to build mines and farms. The Chief tried to fight against the British, but they were killed, and they took all of their land. Lord Dalhouse, was a British politician, tried to develop the Indians way of life by building roads, railways, schools, and postal systems. He also tried to stop bad Indian customs, for example when a woman’s husband died she would be burnt.

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But he also made Indians follow the British way of life. Cecil Rhodes, was a businessman and went to live in South Africa and mined for gold, diamonds and other minerals. But crushed any African Tribes that got in the way. Chief Crowfoot, a Chief of a tribe in Canada refused to fight against the British, the Queen said thanks and built them a railway. But since the railway came there were more English people coming and very few of his people were left. Mary Prince was born in the West Indies, she became a poor black slave and was sold several times.

Some masters whipped her and others abused her. One master took her to England in 1828 but she ran away. But when she left and tried to get a job, she was always given the worst, just like all blacks. I think that the British should be proud of their empire in a way, but I think the should be ashamed of what they have done too, because they haven’t always treated everyone in another country with respect or their customs and assumed that others should follow the British way of living. But because of that many tribes and cultures were destroyed.

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