Niall Ferguson – Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World – Why Britain? 1/5
Historian and presenter Niall Ferguson takes us on a fascinating journey in both time and space to explore the impact of the British empire on the modern world. From the earliest British settlers in Virginia to the decline of the empire in the aftermath of the two World Wars, positive and negative aspects of the empire are illustrated through key events and players. Niall Ferguson uses a wealth of original sources such as quotes, documents, film footage and photographs, as well as taking a contemporary look at key locations and drawing parallels with recent history, such as the USA’s war against terrorism. The series is highly entertaining, informative and thought-provoking, and provides an excellent and balanced overview of the British empire and its continuing legacy in the world. Part one: Why Britain? In this programme we learn about the origins of the British empire in the 17th century and how its foundations were laid, not by a grand political strategy but by British pirates, especially in the Caribbean. The British economic style of reinvesting in places like Jamaica led to commercial success as its raw materials sugar, tobacco and coffee were in huge demand back at home in Britain. Seventeenth-century India was a rich nation, producing a quarter of the world’s output, so it is no surprise that the major nations fought over it. The British won the seven-year war with France over supremacy in the colonies, thanks to its superior warships and much stronger finances …
25 comments
@davidhib07 God spare me from self-hating westerners.
@davidhib07 You…ignorant arseburger. Ferguson describes his work as a “Balance Sheet” he’s not telling it Pro-Britain or Anti-Britain….he’s weighing it all up…which people like you don’t like doing…self hating westerners, the west is always wrong of course…Go watch an anime, ya wanker.
I love this man´s work. My brother bought me his twin books on the house of Rothschild some years ago. Mr. Ferguson, I agree. In order to truly understand the world today, one has to look at history, economical evolution is the only way to understand great historical global occurrences!
excellent book
paris the best city!!!
This is good if you want to know about Britain and Britons. Don’t watch if you want to know about the Empire, because Fergusson, in his arrogance, completely ignores the interaction and point of exchange between the British and colonial subjects. Fergusson sugests that the areas featured have a landscape and a geography but no history other than that which white, Europeans ‘made’
@overseachininadoll
OMG, you call urself Chinadoll. BArf, kiss Westerner’s arse why don’t cha. And yes, I am an overseas Chinese also, American to be specific.
All Chinese underestimate you British because of British drug cartel.
British people are good but British Queen , politicians, East India company and British Merchants are drug cartels during 19th century. Shame on you British Queen , politicians , East India company and Merchants.They have no dignity. Does current UK government condemn these 19th century British government sponsor British drug cartels and dealers? Current UK students hate 19th century these British drug cartels?
@CHRIS1974100
by trade at least
I am a high school teacher from the United States. I just wanted to thank you for posting this wonderful series on the growth of the British Empire. I greatly enjoyed Mr. Ferguson’s book. Unfortunately, this series is not available on DVD in the states. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in the origins of the British Empire. Thank you again very much for posting this, and in such high quality!!
Just to help anyone out, the correct order is: Episode 1= Why Britain?, E2= White Plague, E3= The Mission, E4= Heavens Breed, E5= Maxim Force, E6 Empire for Sale
Thanks so much!!
And ofcourse they are encouraged to believe that they are right to do so by the liberal inteligencia. And no one dare take steps against it or offer an opinion to counter it. And if you do say anything of the sort then watch your career and social standing plummet as if you were guilty of some heinous crime.
Tell a muslim youth of south asian birth/descent today that his great grandfather may well of fought very loyally for Britain in WW1 and he probably wouldnt believe you. Instead they turned to radical Islam, or atleast a militant Pakistani identity. Black kids turned to the militant black identity that emerged from the civil rights movement in the US. Mixed with violent carribean culture and violent hip hop, and gang and drug culture.
These characteristics could of been built on by keeping the Empire in the curriculum and the political spectrum. Why not talk of the Sepoys, why not talk of the great benefits of the empire, and give a fair representation of the negative points. How many carribean or asian youths today (or even white for that matter) even know of the Empire? They dont even know why they came to Britain of all places or recognise their own cultural similarities.
I think that this ridiculous out of sight out of mind, Empire was evil ideology by the liberal inteligencia that came to dominate the education and political spectrum following Britains decline is one of the main causes of Britains social problems. Just look at West Indian immigrants that came to Britain in the 50s/60s. The smart dressed cricket loving people that had so much British culture, or the Pakistani and Indian imigrants that in many ways acted more English than the English.
The book is excellent. It is so detailed, gives such a great insight into the British Empire. Its also very good at pointing out both bad and good and allowing the reader to make his own conclusions. Its a crying shame that if you go through state education in Britain you will not here one thing about the empire, maybe a little about slavery at a push but no more than that.
…….. continued …
argument.” Well, do not forget that they, too, pay taxes!
@silentrocker666,
Now I, too, am concerned about mass migration but I do not agree with you. I think it very much depends what sorts of people are we bringing in our nation. I think Britain should have the best people, regardless of their colour and religion! They should speak English, respect rule of law (yes, I know Muslims who believe in such things), respect courts, in short, they should be loyal to our country and our institutions, such as the Monarchy! As for your “live off our gov’t…
well these muslims and minorities you refer to are helpful. while many english consider them extremely annoying, disrespectful, generally hatable people who live off of our government… oh wait ive lost my point in my mind… well now its this… gordon brown pull your finger out and shift these fuckers off our land… while every1 will seemingly hate you ill say about 60% of people will love you eternally!
Oh the results are endless! I mean use your imagination. But I’m sure you don’t mind it…yet. But if you do decide to have that one child in your late 30’s then he/she will feel the effects of it and then his/her child(ren?) and it won’t be inclusive let me tell you when they get majority representation in even a quarter of the political process (commons, lords etc.) Do you have the equivalent of Fox? Or is it just the impartial? BBC. But we’re all in it together, I love England.
Also!..If you are already having that much trouble (race riots, imams preaching the destruction of their new home country, a press that overwhelmingly undermines any opposition to all this etc.) with the, as you say, small minority of muslims; then you will have much bigger problems down the road when they are 15%, 20%, 30% as is predicted. Think: Sharia law along side Common law, more and more representation politically, a push for Arabic in schools, business, the political process…
Oh absolutely we should. But let’s take another look at that census and you’ll discover a few things. While you still might have a majority it is an aging population that is not reproducing, doesn’t have the will to. You look to your minority populations and the maternity wards and you’ll see a different story and with that in mind, look ahead a few generations, which is not that long, and you’ll understand that England will no longer be yours, they know it and you should too, but you won’t.
Are you a Fox News subscriber by any chance?
Don’t feel sorry for us, we’re doing fine. If you had a look at the recent population census for England, you’d see that the English still make up an overwhelming majority of over 85%. I’d be more worried with keeping an eye on your borders, it’s seem even your own muslim population need keeping a check on after the recent events (Ft Hood).