When did the Decline of the British Empire Begin?
I think in the case of the French Empire, the beginning of the end was very clear: The War of 1871. The creation of Germany and the military fiasco with Napoleon III at its head was the deathknell of France’s ambitions as a world superpower. The creation of Germany meant an eclipsing of France’s greatness, a new rival (a rival which was much more powerful) and the defeat of Napoleon III dashed all hopes of a New Empire.
But for the British, the timing of the decline is much less clear.
Some may argue that WW2 ended Britain’s reign as it was destitute and had to relinquish many of its colonies (notably India).
I feel that WW1 marked the end; the mass culling of its elites in the suicidal Franco-Prussian War Part 2 killed off the best human resources of the Brit Empire.
Some say the Boer War marked the beginning of the end as a handful of brash upstarts managed to better the British army.
Or did the decline begin with the US Revolutionary War?
Your comments, as always, are much appreciated, Gentlemen…
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