Essay On British Imperialism

No other colonial master had a more extensive empire than Britain. The country put a

spirited fight against other European nations in the scramble and partitioning of the rest of the

globe. British imperialism was felt in the west, south, and East. The country had one of the

best militaries for a long time, and this enables it to conquer many territories in the world.

The history of colonization dates back to early years, and Britain was at the lead in most

African and Asian countries. The situation, however, was short-lived in some countries. Most

American nations secure their independence in the late 17th and early 18th century (Kahler,

2014). The act marked the beginning of decolonization, and most countries fought the

colonial masters to

be Free states. The aftermaths of the Second World War two marked a
significant point for African and most of Asian countries as they secured their independence.
The massive development of new states had far-reaching effects on their colonial masters.
Britain had an enormous empire, and as a result, it faced many impacts which directly
affected its culture.
Britain was culturally known as a superpower, but this changed with decolonization.
The country boosted of the most significant and most influential military forces in the world
after the Second World War (Kahler, 2014). It had collaborated with its allies in defeating the
Nazi soldiers of German. With the down of decolonization, however, its army decreased in
size as it composed of soldiers from its colonies. The achievement of independence by other
countries meant that Britain had to rely on its native soldiers. It was a big challenge to the
nation which had made itself a name due to the formidable military. The country’s global
power slowly declined, and some of its former colonies military forces even became stronger
than it. A good example is the rapid rise of the United States as the world’s superpower. The
inception of decolonization eroded Britain culture of being a superpower.
The British culture was based on its native people and was spread to its colonies, but
decolonization reversed the whole process. Britain is a colonial power, conquered other
empires and established its rule as well as incorporating its culture in the new territories. The
cultural aspect of Britain is viewable in its colonies. For example, it introduced a dressing
code that is still used in most of its former African colonies. The situation reversed in the
mid-19th century when most African and Asian countries gained freedom. The new empires
established their rules and rejuvenated the culture of its people. With globalization, spreading
one’s way of life to other foreign land is possible (Hopkins, 2008). It has caused many people
from different backgrounds to tour the U.K. the people move with their culture and spread it
to the British. Many residents of Britain have been assimilated by foreign cultures as Free
states foster their doctrines. When the British from foreign countries moved back to their
homeland, they had diluted their culture. Decolonization is responsible for the diverse
cultural aspects in Britain.
Nearly all British were Christians, and some of the missionaries even originated from
the land. Its imperialism role was coined with the spread of Christianity. The Christian
religion categorized the British Empire. It undermined the existing beliefs in the new
territories. When decolonization occurred, most of the Asian-Pacific and North Africa
countries backslide to its religious beliefs (Creary, 2012). Britain had changed its original
stand and wanted to continue with its relationship with the former colonies. In return, the
independent states spread their religion to the U.K. Britain has opened its borders to most of
the Commonwealth countries, and this has fostered massive inflow of foreigners with
different religious backgrounds. Britain’s religious classes are more diversified in the
decolonization era as compared to the pre and the colonization period.
Britain culture was based on autocratic power. The Queen was responsible for all
decisions made by the empire. The country also conquered and established its rule in other
countries without their consent. Such culture dominated most colonies till the 18th and even
19th century. The superpowers would invade foreign countries and establish its rule. The
expansion of empires was based on fighting, and the stronger side was the most substantial
beneficiary. Things changed with decolonization and establishment of the United Nations
(UN) which recognized independent nations (Buettner, 2016).

The country shifted from

dictatorial form of governance to a democratic one. Even though the queen still exists, the

state has a different approach to foreign lands as it was in the pre-colonial era. Today, Britain

has developed a diplomacy form of strategy. They only invade foreign lands with logical

reasons. The leadership culture in Britain has significantly been affected by the

decolonization.

The Britain culture was based on the native languages spoken in the country, but the

culture has changed due to new languages. English was the major language used in the

British Empire. The language was taught and used in all formal functions. Decolonization

reversed the whole process as the former colonies incorporated their languages to the official

state functions. One such effect result from the inception of the U.S English which has a

significant difference to the one used back in Britain. All these foreign languages have been

incorporated in the British societies. Unlike the past, most British today speak foreign

languages, particularly those in their former colonies. Decolonization has created different

states, each with its language, which has diffused into the U.K

culture.
Food and clothing characterize a people’s culture. It corrupted the British culture
during the colonial era and even had more significant effects in the decolonization period.
Different foods and clothing are used in particular backgrounds. Britain conquered many
nations and introduced its foods and dressing style to the local people. The act was short lived
as independent states sprouted and the colonial masters’ hand to return to their motherland.
The colonialists did not go home empty-handed but took some food and dressing styles with
them. They introduced new plantations in the homeland. Britain being a superpower had
many returnees who had carried some goodies to their parent nation. Today, the country is
diversified as different vegetation and dressing are found in the country. Decolonization
made colonial masters return to their home, and in so doing, they carried items that directly
affected the culture of its people.
The precolonial culture entailed animosity among countries in the world. Some
empires established ties with the others that had common interests. War characterized the life
of the people, and it reached its climax during the Second World War (Buettner, 2016).
European nations were in a competition to conquer many countries and established its
authorities. The countries fought to control resources in some countries, and the one with the
powerful military always owned. The frosty relationship in the globe existed for a long time
and only ended during the massive decolonization era of the mid-19th century. With
independent states, no other country was willing to fight each other to have control of it. The
war-oriented culture also changed as the colonial master established close ties with its former
colonies. It is right to argue that decolonization played a significant role in transforming the
war-dominated culture into a peace-focused culture in U.K.
A discriminatory culture by race and origin was dominant in the pre-colonial and
colonial Britain. Interestingly, the government played a lead role in creating divisions among
the human race. The Jewish and other foreigners were unwelcomed in the country, and the
situation only changed during the decolonization era. When Britain colonized Africa, it took
some of its citizens to their homeland. At U.K, the blacks had no dignity and were
discriminated in broad daylight. Had decolonization not been achieved, racism would still be
at the pick point. The onset of independent states, made the British to understand that the
other people had the same rights as theirs. The formulation of UN also advocated for the
rights of the independent nations, and the result was a more unified society. The culture of all
people across the globe is readily accepted in the U.K., thanks to the decolonization process.
In conclusion, Even though colonization had several impacts on the British culture,
the decolonization era had more drastic changes in the ways of life for the people of U.K. It is
widely argued that colonization had a positive and negative effect to the colonies, but no
substantive information is readily available on the impact of decolonization. The formation
of independent states is an exciting occurrence not just to the new countries but the colonial
masters. Its effects are visible at most of the imperialist’s base. Britain was at the forefront in
partitioning and establishing its rule on new territories as compared to any other European
country. Due to this fact, when decolonization came, the country’s culture was drastically
affected. The effect of decolonization is not yet over, and it will not end any time soon. States
are still freeing themselves from all external forces from their colonies, and as a result, more
effects are on the way.