Until 1918, empire was the most common form of rule and political organization. This lecture course focuses on England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, and the Empire these peoples generated after c.1600, and uses this as a lens through which to examine the phenomenon of empire more broadly. How and how far did this small set of islands establish global predominance and when did this fail? What roles did war, race, religion, economics, culture and migration play in these processes? And how far do the great powers of today retain characteristics of empire?
What is Empire? Until recently, it was often viewed as something in the past, for which Europeans were generally responsible. Yet, not only are China, Russia, and the USA all experimenting at present with modes of imperial expansion, but empire has also been the most widespread form of rule for much of human history. Back in 1900, China, Japan, Russia, Turkey and the United States all styled themselves as empires, as well as many European powers. So, this course aims to address the phenomenon of empire in general as well as the particular experience of Britain, for a short period the biggest empire in history. We will examine how this British empire was made, its relationship with war, naval power, race, capitalism and religion. How this empire worked and the ideas that underpinned it, how it was represented in art and literature, and at those who believed in it, and at those who resisted it. We will also consider the degree to which forms of empire still exist today. Accordingly, this course will bring together British history, imperial history, and global history, important aspects of the past and dangerous trends in the present.