The colonial policy of England goes back to the era of feudalism. But only the bourgeois revolution of the XVII century marked the beginning of a wide colonial expansion. Already in the middle of the XVII century, England, as a result of the aggressive wars Cromwell, captured a number of Islands of West Indies, strengthened and expanded her possessions in North America, made the final accession to Ireland. The revolution has created the prerequisites for the economic and political superiority of the United Kingdom among colonial countries: Spain, Portugal, France and the Netherlands. Having overlooked over his European rivals, English bourgeoisie in the XVII - XIX centuries. Significantly ahead of them in colonial captures.

By the middle of the XIX century, the United Kingdom captured huge territories in all parts of the world. She belonged to: Ireland in Europe; Canada, Newfoundland, British Guiana and West India Islands in America; Ceylon, Malaya, part of Burma and India in Asia; Capskaya Earth, Natal, British Gambia and Sierra Leone in Africa; All Australian Continent and New Zealand. In 1875, possession British Empire Mounted 8.5 million square meters. miles, and the population of the empire is about 20% of the total population globe. Gromyko A. Al. United Kingdom: Epoch reforms / Ed. A. Al. Gromyko.-M.: The whole world, 2007.-s. 203.

For most of the XIX century, the United Kingdom was the leading country in the level of economic development. The leadership, conquered during the industrial coup, was manifested primarily in industrial superiority, in 1870, the share of England accounted for 32% of industrial production (USA - 26%, Germany - 10%, France - 10%, Russia - 4%, etc. Countries - 18%).

England firmly held the leading position in the trade, where she belonged to her first, and its share in the global turnover was about 65%. For quite a long time, she conducted a politics of Frittime. Thanks to its quality and low cost, English goods did not need protectionist protection, and the government did not prohibit the import of foreign goods.

Using the open robbery of colonial peoples, non-equivalent trade, practicing slave trade, various forced labor forced labor and other means of colonial exploitation, the English bourgeoisie has accumulated huge capital, which became the source from which the working aristocracy in England was fed. The colonial empire played a significant role in the fact that England turned into an industrially developed capitalist country - the "workshop of the whole world" in the XIX century.

The United Kingdom occupied the first place and export of capital, and London was the financial center of the world. The English currency played the role of world money, acting as a settlement unit in global trade transactions.

In conditions of exacerbation of the struggle for the economic leadership in the world between the old industrial countries (England and France) and young rapidly developing states (USA and Germany), the United Kingdom could not preserve their predominance over the past time after the other less developed, but abundant Mounted countries have begun industrialization. In this sense, the relative decline of the United Kingdom was inevitable. Konotopov M.V. History of the economy of foreign countries / M.V. Konotopov, S.I. Smetanin.-M.-2001-s. 107.

Causes of deceleration of economic development:

Extension of colonial power and outflow of capital from the country;

Moral and physical aging of production facilities and limited use of electrical energy;

Strengthening policy of protectionism in the USA, Germany, France and other countries;

Archaic education system;

Insufficient entrepreneurial activity of English industrialists and slow introduction of new technologies.

The loss of world hegemony occurred slowly and almost unnoticed for contemporaries. Despite the slowdown in economic development, the United Kingdom remained a highly developed, richest country in the world. Kashnikova T. V. History of the economy / T.V. Kashnikova, E.P., Kostenko E.P. Rostov N / D. - 2006.- P. 221.

As the empire creates, the system and the skills of control of colonies were developed. The general management of the colonies for a long time passed to the Government of Great Britain from one department to another. And only in 1854 in England a special ministry of colonies was created in England, on which the following duties were assigned:

Leadership of metropolis with colonies;

Maintaining the rights and supremacy of the metropolis and protect its interests;

Appointment and displacement of governors and senior officials of the colonies;

Edition of orders and instructions for managing colonies.

In addition, the Ministry of the Colonies together with the Military Ministry distributed the armed forces to protect the colonies and controlled the armed forces of the colonies that had their army. Lykova O.A. The history of the state and the rights of foreign countries. / Ed. prof. PN Galances, O.A. Liquid. - M.: "Legal literature" .- 1969.-S.-161. The highest appellate authority for the courts of the colonies was the Judicial Committee of the Secret Council of the UK.

Starting from the XVIII century. There was a general division of all colonies to "conquered" and "migrant", in relation to which two types of British colonial governance gradually developed. The "conquered" colonies, as a rule, with the "color" population did not possess political autonomy and were managed on behalf of the crown through the Metropolis authorities by the British government. Legislative and executive functions in such colonies focused directly in the hands of the Supreme Government official - the Governor (Governor-General). The created representative bodies in these colonies really represented only a minor layer of local residents, but in this case they played the role of the deliberative body under the governors. As a rule, a national, racial discrimination was established in the "conquered" colonies.

Another type of management has developed in colonies, where the majority or a significant part of the population were white migrants from Britain and other European countries (North American colonies, Australia, New Zealand, Cape Earth). For a long time, these territories in the form of control differ little differed from any other colonies, but gradually acquired political autonomy.

The creation of representative bodies of self-government began in migrant colonies in the middle of the XVIII century. However, the colonial parliaments did not have real political power, because the highest legislative, executive and judicial authorities remained in the hands of the British Governors General. In the middle of the XIX century. In a number of provinces, the Institute of Responsible Government was established on the territory of Canada. As a result of the vote of the distrust of the local assembly, the appointed Council under the governor, who played the role of the colonial government, could be dissolved. The most important concessions in the migrating colonies were made in the second half of the XIX - early XX century, when they one after another achieved further expansion of self-government and received as a result of the special status of the dominion. In 1865, the act of the reality of colonial laws was adopted, according to which the acts of colonial legislatures were recognized as invalid in two cases:

If they in any respect contradict the acts of the British Parliament spread on this colony;

If they contradicted any orders and provisions issued on the basis of such an act or in the colony strength of this type of act. At the same time, the laws of colonial legulatures could not be invalid if they did not comply with the norms of the English "common law". The legislative bodies of the colonies received the right to establish the courts and publish acts regulating their activities.

After the formation of dominions, their foreign policy and "defense issues" remained in the competence of the British government. Starting from the end of the XIX century. The so-called colonial (imperial) conferences conducted under the auspices of the Ministry of the Colonies were one of the forms of relationships with dominiones. At the 1907 conference, at the request of representatives of the dominion, new organizational forms of their conduct were developed. Imperial conferences from now on were chaired by the British Prime Minister with the participation of Dominion Prime Ministers.

At the end of the XIX - early XX century. Simultaneously with the seizure of huge territories in Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Somalia, etc.) intensified English expansion in Asia and in the Arab East. The sovereign states that existed here were actually turned into half colonutorates (Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iran, etc.), their sovereignty was limited to the agreements imposed by England and the presence of British troops.

The colonial law in British possessions consisted of the acts of the British Parliament ("Statutory Law"), "common law", "fairness rights", as well as decisions and orders of the Ministry of the Colonies and regulations adopted in the colony itself. The widespread introduction of the norms of English law in a colony began with the second half of the XIX century, when the colonies became trading "partners" of the metropolis and it took, to ensure the sustainability of the commodity exchange, the safety of the individual and property of British subjects.

Commissioning with traditional institutions, local law of conquered countries, reflecting both their own and imposed social relations, the colonial law was complex and controversial phenomenon. In India, for example, the law-minded practice of British courts and colonial legislation created extremely complicated systems of Anglo-Hindu and Anglo-Muslim law, which applied to local residents. These systems have differed in eclectic mixing of the norms of English, traditional, religious law and judicial interpretations. In colonial law, Africa also artificially combined the norms of European law, local ordinary law and colonial laws that copy the colonial codes of India. In relation to English settlers in any parts of the world, English law was valid. At the same time, the "common law" was used in the migrant colonies, and the British legislation could not be applied if it did not contain special instructions in the act of the British Parliament. Krasachehennikova N.A. The history of the state and the rights of foreign countries. Part 2: Textbook for universities? Ed. ON THE. Crashinnikova and prof. O. A. Lykova - M.-2001. - P. 19.

In the British Empire, several types of colonial possessions have developed. "White" Dominion (Dominion in English means "possession") - Canada, Australian Union, New Zealand, as well as the South African Union - enjoyed independence that constantly increased. They not only had their own parliaments, governments, army and finance, but sometimes themselves owned colonies (for example, Australia and the South African Union). Protectors usually became colonial countries with relatively developed state power and public relations. They existed as far as two levels of colonial governance. Supreme power belonged to the British Governors General; In contrast to the governors of Dominion, which rather represented the interests of the British crown than the rules from her behalf, were the most frequent owners of subordinate countries. The so-called native administration (local rulers, leaders) enjoyed limited independence, was endowed with certain judicial and police powers, the right of collecting local taxes, had their own budgets. The native administration served as a buffer between the supreme power of the Europeans and the oppressed local population. Such a control system was called indirect, or indirect. It was most common in British possessions, and the English colonial policy began to call the policies of an indirect (indirect) management.

The British practiced the so-called direct control in some colonies. Such colonies were called corona, i.e. London was directly subordinate, having minimal rights to self-government or without any such rights. The exception was coroned colonies with a significant layer of the white population, which had large privileges and even their own colonial parliaments. Sometimes direct, and indirect methods of government were used in one country. For example, India before the Second World War was divided into the so-called British colony of India, consisting of 16 provinces and managed from London, and the Protectorate, which included over 500 feudal principalities and in which the indirect management system was operating. Different forms of the Board are simultaneously used in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, other countries. Lykova O.A. The history of the state and the rights of foreign countries. / Ed. prof. P. N. Galance, O. A. Lykova.-M.: "Legal literature" .- 1969.-S.-179.

The story knows a lot of state entities that have engulfed a huge territory and have a serious impact on the entire system of international relations, however, among them the British Empire is clearly allocated both by the occupied area and in terms of this effect. Including in the process of colonization of new lands later than the main players on this field - Spain and Portugal, - the UK was able to bind to the overseas lands so firmly that they still recognize the power of the English Queen and are in the British Commonwealth of Nations.

Education background

Most of the history of medieval England passed in the struggle for the union under its power of the entire Island of Britain. Since 1169, gradual penetration into neighboring Ireland, in 1282, Wales is part of England, and after coming to power of the Stuart dynasty, the domination of Scotland is established.

At the beginning of the XVI century, Spain and Portugal begin colonization of lands in the territory of recently open America. The interest of England in expanding the sphere of its influence, on the one hand, and related to the reformation of contradictions, on the other, lead to war with Spain. Special discontent of this country caused the seizure in 1583 the island of Newfoundland, which became a strategic bridgehead for penetration into the territory of America. But after the defeat of the Spanish "invincible Armada" in 1588, who committed to the Lord of Spain on the sea, nothing limited England in the acquisition of colonies.

Colonial expansion

IN beginning of XVII Century English settlers appear in North America. At the same time, the organization of special companies in trade with Asian countries is being organized, in particular with India. However, initially the British were not lucky. The first colonies whose purpose was to search for the precious metals deposits, could not exist for a long time. The first major success can be considered the foundation in 1624 settlements on the Island of Saint Kitts. Unlike early period, England borrowed the Portuguese experience of cultivating sugar cane: it turned out that sugar can bring income no worse than gold.

To limit the influence of other European states in employed territories, the English Parliament adopted the law on which the metropolis could lead trade in colonies. This caused an angry reaction from the outside of Holland. As a result of several wars, England fastened his position and even well devoured at the expense of Dutch and Spanish colonies. Jamaica became one of the largest acquisitions.

Continental ownership (Plymouth colonies, Maryland, Rhode Island, Carolina, Pennsylvania and others) brought much less income than island, but the British appreciated their potential. All these settlements were located on fertile lands. For their processing and increasing profitability, slaves from Africa were attracted, the monopoly right to trade in which the royal African company founded founded in 1672.

Successfully walked in Asia. In the Union with Holland England, it was possible to break the monopoly right of Portugal to trade with Asian states. The conductor of the influence of England in this region was the East India Company. The coming to power in England of the Dutch staff of Wilhelma allowed to resolve contradictions arising between the two countries. In the first half of the XVIII century, England's position in India became indisputable.

Given that the imperial ambitions of England were fully manifested, and the territory of overseas owners was comparable to European, historians call the period from the seizure of Newfoundland before the war of 13 American colonies for the independence of the "First British Empire".

War for Spanish Inheritance

In 1700, Karl II passed away, the last representative of the Habsburg dynasty in the Spanish throne. Since he did not have children, he chose Philip Angui, the grandson of the French king. Since the threat of spanling, France and their colonies in a single power, was unacceptable hardly for all European states, a major war broke out. She lasted for 14 years and ended with the signing of the Utrecht world, according to which Philipp Anjousky refused to complaints about the French throne. In addition, according to the Treaty, the British Empire included a number of Spanish and French colonies, as well as Gibraltar in the territory of the Pyrenean Peninsula, allowed to control the exit of ships from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.

Finally, the French colonies in North America and Asia were finished after a seven-year war (1756-1763). As a result of these events, the British Empire became the leading colonial power of the world.

US War for Independence

In addition to success, the UK had to face with major troubles. Continental colonies of the British Empire in North America, for a long time demanding representative offices in parliament, announced their independence. The war started in 1775, ended with the defeat of Great Britain. Significant support rebels provided France and Spain, who did not experience any warm feelings to England.

Success spoke to the Americans head, and they tried to invade Canada. The French population living there refused to support them, and the idea failed.

The loss of such extensive territories has become the frontier in the history of the British Empire. Among other things, 13 colonies were a strategically important bridgehead for further penetration into the American continent. Now the United Kingdom was forced to perform territorial accessions in Asia and Africa, although it was not going to leave America. With the United States, a number of trade agreements were signed, bringing tangible benefits to the British. Such changes in politics allow us to talk about the new stage in the history of Great Britain: the second British Empire.

Installation of power over India

For a long time, the presence of Great Britain in Asia was traced only in the form of trade agreements with the countries of this region concluded by the East India Company. But by the middle of the XVIII century, the Empire of the Great Mughal came into decline, and during the seven-year-old war, the British managed to break the French and gaining a fight in Bengal. The East India Company is transformed into a tool to expand the colonial possessions of Great Britain. The method used by the British was simple: independent Indian principalities were forced to seek "help" to the British. For this, they had to pay certain amounts that went to the content of the British hired army in India, as well as coordinate their foreign policy with the English resident.

In fact, most of the territory of India was under the control of Great Britain peacefully. Only in the 19th century, the British Empire had to face the resistance of the local population, uniting the Sikhov state. Only in 1839 the British managed to strike a heavy defeat from which they could no longer recover.

Australia

A special place in the system of the British Colonial Empire occupied this mainland, open by James Cup in 1770. Together with New Zealand and Tasmania, open areas were proclaimed by the Captain Property of Great Britain.

At first, the smallest continent of the planet of a special delight in the English authorities did not cause. Its central regions were busy desert, and the land along the coast was not distinguished by special fertility. The British government was decided to take advantage of Australia's remoteness from the main sea routes and organize something like a giant prison on its territory. In 1778, the first ship with reference prisoners entered the territorial waters of the mainland. This practice lasted until 1840. The population of the colony, which consisted of 56 thousand people, mainly consisted of prisoners and their descendants.

The termination of the important in Australia is associated with the opening of gold deposits on the mainland. From that moment on, Australia becomes one of the main exporters of this precious metal. Another article of income of this colony of the British Empire was the export of wool.

Victorian epoch

The highest heyday of the empire experienced from 1815 to 1914. Most of this time passed under the sign of the rule of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), which gave the name of a special era in the history of Great Britain.

During this period, the United Kingdom, taking into account its overseas possessions, was the largest state in the world. The territory of the British Empire amounted to a little less than 26 million km2, and the population is almost 400 million people. Victorious Wars of the XVIII century combined with a skillful foreign policy made the UK a strongest player on the political field. After the defeat of Napoleon, the British Colonial Empire became one of the authors of the balance policy in Europe, according to which no state could have accumulated forces sufficient for successful confrontation with the joint coalition of European countries.

The main reason for such success in Great Britain was the presence of a strong military fleet in the absence of serious spending on the maintenance of the land army. The British Empire with all the grounds was called the Lady of the Seas. Only by the end of the period, the United Germany risked to challenge the English predominance of the sea.

Empire at the turn of centuries

The beginning of the 20th century has become a strength test for the UK. First, Germany became increasingly intensified, which, together with the Allied Austria-Hungary and Italy, increasingly declared the need to redistribute peace. In this regard, the British Empire fully changed its foreign policy course, signing allied agreements with Russia and France, relations with which were never very warm.

Secondly, when promoting depth Africa, the British unexpectedly surpassed the resistance to the republics based from the Netherlands and Orange. Since the locals called the boots, the collision between England and the two South African republics received the name of the Anglo-Board War. Although with difficulty, but England managed to win in this conflict.

Thirdly, there were problems with European holdings. Increasingly with the requirements of independence ("Gomrulya") were the Irish. Some English politicians believed that the provision of independence could solve the problem, but the corresponding bill failed several times.

Dominions

Despite the adherence to tradition, the English policy was flexible enough to understand the need to change the apparent unshakable principles. Nationalist ideas spread in Europe have great influence on the consciousness of the inhabitants of the colonies. Even in the middle of the XIX century, the thoughts arose that the colonies can be provided with self-government in order to prevent the emergence of various unrest.

This principle was first implemented in Canada in 1867. All continental possessions of the British Empire in North America were merged into the dominion. This status change meant that the decision of all internal affairs was transferred to local authorities. International relations and the right to conduct wars remained from the British administration.

Assigning the status of Dominion's status, in fact, saved from the collapse of the British Empire. Prior to the beginning of World War I, the right to self-government received almost all colonies with the White Population, in particular Australia and New Zealand (1900), as well as united in the South African Union Boress Colonies (1910).

England in world wars

An open entry into a major conflict, which affected one way or another, all states of the planet, contradicted the traditional self-sustain policy from European problems. However, the First World War showed that England is not as strong as before. By 1918, world leadership was lost and passed to the violation of the United States. However, according to the results of the negotiations in Versailles and Washington, the United Kingdom, together with the rest of the winners, divided the former German colonies. This gave 4 million km2 of new territories.

In the interwar period, the British Empire, like the rest of European states, was experiencing a serious crisis. The economy fully recovered from the transferred voltage. An even stronger the situation was complicated during the world economic crisis.

In view of this, the United Kingdom supported the policy of the pacification manifested by the revenge mood of Hitler Germany. But it did not help to prevent the new world war. In scale, she was still destructive to the previous one: German aviation several times bombed London. At the end of the war, Great Britain had to coordinate their policies with American.

Disintegration of the British Empire

The weakening of the metropolis and the rise of the national self-consciousness led to the movement for independence in colonies that did not become dominions. In 1947, England was forced to provide Indian independence. Next year, Birma and Ceylon became independent states. In addition, Great Britain had to abandon the mandate for the management of Palestine, where the Jewish state was created. The longest of all the UK kept for Malaya, but after the last 13 years of the war was forced to give up in this matter.

1960 entered the story as the Year of Africa. Large-scale national speeches have shown the UK that it is no longer possible to maintain power on the black continent. By 1968, only South Rhodesia remained from extensive possessions in Africa under the rule of the United Kingdom, which received independence a few years later. In general, by 1980, the process of decolonization ended, although the UK imperial ambitions manifested themselves in the war with Argentina for the Falkland Islands. But the victory in this war could not revive the empire: its decay was a faithful fact. As a memory of it, the Commonwealth of Nations remained, which was formed under the auspices of Great Britain with the participation of independent states located in the territories included in the British Empire before.

The origin of the word "Britain" is unknown. There are many hypotheses and assumptions of this name. The most believable of them is that this word comes from the root of "Brit", which means "painted". Probably, this is due to the fact that the Britons were engaged in coloring their bodies Waida - special vegetable paint.

The phrase "British Empire", which appeared in the mid-70s. XIX century, means the connection of the Britain itself and the colonies belonging to it. This term was invented by John Di, engaged in mathematics, alchemy and astrology and served in Elizabeth I.

The first mention of the British Isles belong to the IV century. BC e. So, Aristotle writes that behind the Hercules pillars (now it is Gibraltar), where "the ocean is flowing around the Earth, and there are two very large islands on it." It is these islands - Albion and Ierna - he calls British, they are located outside the Celts lived.

Already in 55 BC e. Julius Caesar gives the most complete description of Britain at that time. It is in his work for the first time that this name is found. The information about Britain and the Greeks are referred to, the truth is quite brief.

Originally, the United Kingdom was not an island. At the end of the ice age, the lowland lands were flooded, and now there are La Mans and the North Sea in their place. It is known that the first people in the British Islands appeared in ancient times. Then the next cooling came, and people were forced to leave the islands. After that, they returned here only by 5000 BC. e. It was already a new generation, whose representatives are the ancestors of the modern population of Great Britain.

So, in v millennium BC. e. The transformation of Britain to the island was finally completed. He began to gradually settle various tribes. The first wave of immigrants appeared in approximately the III millennium BC. e. These residents have already grown grain and engaged in cattle breeding, enjoyed clay dishes.

After 600 years, a new wave rushed to the island. They communicated in Indo-European language and did the guns from bronze. And already in 700 BC e. The Celts who owned iron weapons were settled here, which led to the resettlement of early inhabitants in the western part - Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

In 43 BC e. Britain was captured by the Romans, thanks to which writing appeared on the island. They also brought with them to the island the culture of antiquity and crafts. In the same year, Britain became a full Roman province. The rule of the Romans continued for 400 years. They built such cities like Londonium (London), Eborkum (York) and others. Romans left behind the paved roads and fortresses. Local residents (Celts) began to forget their roots, as oral and written speech began to be transferred in Latin, and their admission to the new culture (ancient) completely separated them from the relatives to which they frank contempt; It was for this that was calculated and restored by the Romans, conquering Britain.

Despite numerous attempts and spending a whole century for this, to capture Scotland to the Romans never succeeded. As a result, they decided to build a wall that would separated them from unoccupied lands. Subsequently, this wall became the border between the two states - Scotland and England.

By order of the Emperor Adrian, several fortifications were erected to curb the raids of the tribes from the north (approximately 120 g. E.). Then, already in 139 N. E., During the reign of Antonin Fium, the wall was built. Around 207, Septia North after an unsuccessful attempt to conquer Caledonia also built a wall that had fallen next to the strengthening of the Emperor Adrian.

By the middle of the III century. The Roman Empire has no longer had its former greatness and was close to fall. It was subjected to frequent attacks from the "barbar", and therefore the remote province was forgotten. Military who were on defending Britain, temporarily recalled home. Following the military, the purebred Romans lived at the time in Britain, as a result of which in 409 the Celts remained alone on the confusion of Saxons, Irish and Scottish, who constantly attacked Britain from Germany.

Celts were not the first settlers in Britain. There are monuments that indicate that people who were originally lived there, not belonging to the Aryan people, and Celts appeared by the beginning of our era. They shared at Gaelov and Kimvrov. The Galalas included Irish and mountaineers from Scotland, and kimavram - Welsh, Galla and British residents. It is known that Celtic tribes lived separately from each other and they ruled Druids, who can read and write.

Birth of the Empire

Due to the fact that the Roman Empire has lost interest in its provinces, many of the rulers of the peripherals wanted to separate, dreamed of independence and seizure of power. For example, the head of the Roman Fleet Karauzius announced that he was Emperor Britain. Subsequently, the emperor Maximian approved him at this place, and his rule lasted about 7 years. After the death of Karauzius, his warlord Allekt climbed the throne, who killed his predecessor. By the end of the III century. At the end of the board, the Britain allek again passed into submission of Rome.

After Britain returned to the possession of the Roman Empire, neglected scott and pictites began at her. It is known that Scott came from Ireland and belonged to the Celts - Galelam, that is, to the Irish. By the middle of the IV century. Scotts and Pictites walked throughout Britain. To counteract, they were sent by troops led by Feodosius, who pushed them and selected the land conquered by them. This area, located in the area of \u200b\u200bthe walls of Adrian and Antonina, was named Valencies named Emperor Valentinian. After some time, this site returned to Scott and Pictites.

At the beginning of the V c. The Roman Empire came to the end, and the Romans lost control over Britain, which during the years of calm accumulated considerable wealth, remained on the confusion of Germany and its tribes. At first they made small raids, and then began to stay and prefabricated on the island. People who gradually resettled in Britain were representatives of the three tribes - Angles, Saxons and Yuts. The Angles occupied the North and East, Saksa - South, Utah - the territory around Kent. Soon Utah united with angles and saksami.

The inhabitants of Britain did not want to give their lands, but the enemy's strength and armament were significantly superior to them. Celts had to retreat, and they went to the West, in the mountains. Saksa gave this territory the name "Land of Oranges". Many of the locals went to Scotland, others became slaves of Saxons.

Anglo-Saxes were founded by several kingdoms - Kent, Wessex, East England, etc. Some names of these kingdoms can be found in our day. In the years when the Roman Empire practically stopped his dominion, the attitudes of the Anglo-Saxons and Britons were hostile.

An English historian Guildas wrote about this, who lived in a century later (the beginning of the V century). In his work, he noted that Britain, who lost its support from the Roman side and thereby lost military protection, found himself in the most fortunate events filled with the internecine battles of Britt leaders. As a result, it became completely defenseless in front of the barbarians and their raids. Britain, according to Guilds, had kings-tyrants, judges who violated laws and engaged in robbery. The writer also clarifies that Saxza was more merciless. The Celts from the ruthless rage of his conquerors fled to the forest, for the sea, in the mountains and caves. During the existence of the Roman Empire, the peripherals was almost always divided into two sections. One is peaceful, or the novelized, which included southeastern and central territory; The other is military.

The Germanic tribes were not engaged in flirting; They simply destroyed the local population. At the end of the IX century. Such a concept as "Britt" disappears from sources. Thus, Britain ceases to belong to the British.

So far there was a settling of the island, seven kingdoms were formed (Eptarchy). Kingdom Kent occupied Utah. Sakes founded three of their states - Wessex, Essex and Sussex, where the eastern, Western and South Saks are located. The engines also created three kingdoms - a mercury, Northumbra and East England.

There was a long struggle between the leaders of these kingdoms, which launched almost an entire century (VII-VIII centuries). The question stood sharply: who will subjugate the neighbors? Saxi played the role of united, but the numerical superiority was behind the angles. Ultimately, a dialect of angles began to prevail on the island, it was he laying the basis of modern of English language. Actually, the name "England" also belongs to them and was fixed already in the Middle Ages. Add to your possessions Scotland new conquerors, like their predecessors-Romans, also failed. Scotland remained an independent state until the XVIII century.

Already by the end of the VIII century. Britain interested in the militant tribes of Scandinavia - Danish and Norwegian Vikings. Their behavior was like the tactics of Anglo-Saxons - first raids, then conquest. Already in 865, the northern and eastern part of the island were taken. Vikings adopted the Christian religion and remained, no longer disturbed the local population. British king Alfred for about 10 years fought with Vikings. And only after the victory in the decisive battle and capture of London, Alfred concluded peace with them. Vikings went to the East and North of England, and everything else was under the control of the king Alfred. After some time, all England fell under the power of Vikings, and by the beginning of the XI century. - And Ireland.

Such an unstable situation continued to 60s. XI century In 1066, the Duke of Wilhelm from Normandy attacked the island and broke the Army of the king of the Anglo-Saxes Harold. After the murder of Harold Duke was crowned in London itself. Hence the history of England originates. It was Wilhelm I who connected all the existing kingdoms of England and Wales.

The Roman Empire for the conquest of Britain sent 4 Legion to Island, but later, one of them was recalled. The remaining troops are located in the Eburata areas (now York), Virgo (Chester) and Ventil Silurma (Calerleon). In addition, the Romans continued to keep the northern border guard. 11 fortresses were built, which included the Eastern Coast from Watch Bay to White Island, called the Saxon Beach.

The intersubs of royal vassals lasted throughout the whole century. They believed that the king was unworthy of the throne. The struggle for land belonging to England and France, and the throne was continuous. The king of his culmination point has reached its climax point when the king of John climbed the throne, Richard's brother Lion's heart. At your vassals, the new king caused a huge discontent, because he was very greedy. In 1215, Vassaly forced the king to sign a guarantee of rights, which provided for greater importance of the Law "Magna Card".

It should be noted that "Magna Card" is a document that is still included in the main part of the Constitution of England. For this Agreement, the king was to ensure the protection of ordinary citizens (free, unlike fortress peasants) from its own officials. In addition, the king was obliged to grant the right to a legitimate and fair court. Those of the peasants who were not under the authority of the landowners were free and amounted to no more than the fourth part of the country's total population. This convention was just a symbol.

With the help of this law, Vassala wanted to make the king less power, believing that they would limit his rights as feudal. No one could imagine what an important role will be played by the recognition of this contract by subsequent kings. From this point on, the disintegration of feudalism began, which ended only in the XVI century.

So, King John, devoid of rights, began to be called as John John Unbounded. The fight against Vassals continued his son Heinrich III. In 1258, Vassals opened openly against the king, the government dispersed and created the Nobility Council - Parliament. The rebellion was depressed, but finally cancel the Parliament Heinrich III was not under power. The Council of the Nobles began to be called the Chamber of Lords.

And only during the time when the grandson of John landless, King Eduard I came to power, the first meeting of this Parliament was held, which included the House of Lords, and the opposite community chamber.

The House of Commons consisted of people who represented the counties and cities of the whole country. Initially, the House of Communities was created to establish lords to taxes, but over time the role has increased, and representatives of this body have become active participants in legislative processes.

The new king, Edward I, most of all occupied the question of the conquest of France, and not land on the British Islands. The land belonging to Wales were captured during the reign of Wilhelm I, only the north of the country remained independent, but in 1282 and he was conquer. In 1284, Eduard I won West Wales and joined him to the lands of England. In the English system, he divided the Earth Wales on counties. In the land owned by Norman Vassalam, Edward did not go.

The accession of Wales was beneficial from pure economic considerations. They held a whole ritual where Edward I announced Eduard II, his son, Wales Prince. It is from here that takes his roots to proclaim the English heir - Prince Wales.

The King of England Eduard I owned almost all Ireland (Norman Votchina) and tried to conquer Scotland. However, in 1314, these attempts ended with the full collapse of the British army. After that, the Scots gave an oath that they would never depend on England, they kept their word almost 400 years.

Choosing from the English invaders, the Scots concluded an agreement with their ally - France. From this contract, France won much more than Scotland. The arrangement was that when attacking England, one of them, the second undertakes to distract the attention of attackers.

France at that time was influenced by the king, who wanted to free himself from naughty vassals, one of which was the British king. In the possession of this king, there was one French province - Aquitaine. As a result of the action of the French king in 1337, they led to the beginning of the war. Subsequently, it will be called countercake.

Prince Wales Eduard II as a commander in this war showed itself not from the best side. As a result of his actions, England remained without her earlier lands of France, excluding only the port of Kale in the north of the country.

The British Empire is one of the largest states who own the colonies on all continents. The largest area was the kingdom in the 30s. XX century Britain then occupied about the fourth part of the entire land sushi - 37 million km 2; The inhabitants numbered about 500 million (this is a quarter of humanity for that period of time).

In 1346, not retreating on any step from an agreement with France, the Scottish king was attacked at Britain. However, he was captured soon. The British army responded with raids in Ireland. Nevertheless, the king of England Edward III gave permission to buyout the Scottish king and renounced the intention to capture this country. Briefly reigned the world.

In 1360, an agreement was drawn up in which Eduard III, refusing to the French throne and his rights to him, receives all the former once ownership of Britain - Gascona, Aquitain, part of Breton and Normandy and Port Kale. The agreement was made, despite the fact that the French king did not want to give up these lands. During the next 15 years, these lands were again dismanded with the exception of several cities and lands around Bordeaux, Breton and Kale.

After Edward III, Richard II climbed to the throne. In those years, the country due to the endless wars and the epidemic of the plague strongly weakened. The peasant riots began in this setting. The strongest of them occurred in 1381 by the leader of this uprising was someone as Wat Tyler. The rebellion itself lasted for a short time - 4 weeks that did not prevent the rebel to get to London and capture it. To pacify the unrest I had to go on deception. So, agreed to meet all the requirements. However, those who arrived at the meeting of the leaders of the people's movement, including Tyler, were killed. Other uprising participants were captured and executed. The rebellion was suppressed, the rebellion chokes without leaders.

IN last years "Tsvetny" war comes the dynastic crisis. By 1453, the struggle between applicants for English throne unfolds. This war in history is referred to as a war of scarlet and white rose. This name happened from the arms of the two opposite parties - Yorks and Lancaster.

The war of the scarlet and white rose was bloody, and she only ended in 1485 after one of the distant relatives of the Lancaster party, namely Henry Tudor, declared his rights to the throne. King Richard III was all hased, and knewed on the side of Heinrich Tyudor, supporting him in the fight against Richard. After the betrayal of his army, Richard was killed. Heinrich Tyudor was crowned in place, he became the founder of the new Tudor dynasty - Heinrich VII. It is believed that the Board of Tudor was bEST TIME In the history of England and lasted from 1485 to 1603. It was Heinrich VII (Fig. 17) put the beginning of the development of a powerful monarchy and a rich state.

Fig. 17. Ruler Heinrich VII

His Son, Heinrich VIII, separated the Church of Britain from the Roman Church. The very strong Spanish flotilla was defeated by the daughter of Heinrich VII - Elizabeth.

The most important role in the formation of a new monarchy was played by Heinrich VII. He preferenceed the emerging class of landowners and merchants and believed that the war brings harm to the production and trade, which he went to the necessary and important for the landscaping of the state.

The civil war influenced England's trade relations with other countries, but Heinrich VII practically returned them to a pre-war condition. To do this, he used Belgium and the Netherlands to enter Europe. Herrich managed to upset the fleet and discipline the army, he skillfully restrained the noble ambitions.

Overlooking the world, Heinrich VII left behind the rich treasury - 2 million pounds sterling. True, his son of this state was enough for a short time. He was too ambitious, for example, if you look at his attempts of military confrontation weak at that moment of England against fairly strong states, such as Spain and France. All the accumulations of Heinrich VII were uselessly descended. Going from America gold and silver did not improve the situation. The quality of the coins fell, the pound became cheaper at 7 times. The king left nothing left, except to look for new sources of income, and Heinrich VIII developed a conflict with the church. The Catholic Church in England possessed colossal wealth. She created problems with their taxes and charges and with a simple population, because he deprived him of significant funds.

One of the reasons for the conflict was the divorce of the king with Catherine Aragon, which in 15 years did not give him the heir to him. Pope did not give the consent to the termination of marriage, which he was incited by the King of Spain Karl V.

In the end, Heinrich convinced the bishops, and in 1531 he was recognized by the head of the English Church. In 1534, this was fixed in the laws, after which the king was divorced with his wife. Now he could marry Anna Boleyn.

Religion Britain

The gap with the church and Rome was not religious, but a political character, because the ideas of the Reformation of Heinrich VIII did not approve and missed Europe. The non-recognition itself of the Roman dad is the head of the church was already heretical.

Queen Maria in history was nicknamed, because she burned Protestants. For a fairly short term of reign, only 5 years old, about 300 Protestants went to the fire. The people naturally was outraged, the discontent grew, which threatened to turn around the uprising.

The reforms of Heinrich VIII applied to the financial side, at least 500 monasteries were closed during his reign. Money accumulated by monks replenished the state treasury, which allowed the country to maintain their position. However, Heinrich was not going to renounce Catholicism forever, and the prosecution of Protestants in the country continued.

In 1547, Heinrich VIII died. He had three children from different wives. Mary's eldest daughter - from the first wife, Ekaterina Aragon; The middle daughter of Elizabeth - from Anna Bolein and Son 9 years old, Edward, whom Jane Seymour gave birth to him.

Eduard IV had to ascend to the throne as a child, so the country's management passed into the hands of the Council held from the Protestant nobility. Most of the British population belonged to the Catholic faith, but Protestants were allowed to dominate in religious issues.

When Eduard IV died in 1553, Maria rose to the throne, a zealous Catholic. Members of the Council, which Rules in Edward IV, tried to put forward another contendance (Protestant), but it did not succeed. The heiress Maria did not differ in particular insight regarding his political beliefs. In her husband, she could not choose the Englishman, because his position would be lower than her, and coming out married to a foreigner, she could allow Britain's control from a foreign country. Nevertheless, Mary's husband became Philip II, the King of Spain, and she turned to parliament with a request to resolve this marriage, which was approved with one condition - Philip II was recognized as a parliament as the King of England only to the Queen's death.

After the death of Mary in 1558, the throne switched to her step-sister Elizabeth. The plans of the new heirs included a solution to a religious problem - to create a unified faith in the country. However, its Protestantism was much closer to Catholicism. The church, as before, remained under state power, Catholics and Protestants continued to fight among themselves, which was a threat to the position of Elizabeth over the next 30 years.

The religious views of the neighboring Catholics of the nearby continent could lead to an attack on their part. British nobles wishing to see Elizabeth Maria Stewart, Queen Scotland, Catholic, dreamed of overthrowing the ruling queen.

Mary for almost 20 years was in captivity Elizabeth, while it was not openly revealed that the King of Spain Philip is her heir, which gave him the right to claim the throne of England. Elizabeth with the approval of the British population was forced to execute the Scottish Queen. Most of the British in 1585 believed that if you were Catholic, therefore you are the enemy of Britain.

Most of all England competed with Spain, fighting with the Netherlands, who chose Protestant's religion. For Spaniards to get to the territory owned by the Netherlands, it was necessary to swim through La Mans. The English Queen was given permission to the Dutch troops, which were enemies of the Spaniards, to the entrance to the British bays, from where the attack on the ships of Spain was ideal.

At the end of the war, Holland thanked England, supporting her troops and money. British assistance to the Dutch was also in the fact that Corsairs England attacked the caravans of the Spaniards during their returns from their American colonies. Spanish ships were filled with silver and gold, and part of the extraction went to the state treasury.

The state education that has developed closer to the end of the XVI century, it is customary to be called the first British Empire. By this time, Newfoundland is already taken. The British Colony Virginia was founded at the beginning of the XVII century. (North America). In the middle of the same century, Portugal, and Portuguese colonies are also under British control.

At the turn of the XVI-XVII centuries. Key principles of the country's foreign policy are beginning to develop. Elizabeth I believed that one of the main cases concerning foreign policy was trading. Any country, succeeding in this and being a competitor to Britain, was automatically done by the enemy for the country. Such a position England adhered to the XIX century.

In 1587, the Spanish King of Philip II decided to capture Britain. He accepted this decision when he learned that Elizabeth was encouraged by the marine pirates - Francis Drake, Don Hawkins, Martina Forbistera and others.

At the direction of Philip, the fleet was built, which recovered to the shores of Britain, but was destroyed by Francis Drake. Then other ships were built, calculated more on the transport of soldiers than on the battle at sea. "Unbeatable Armada" was crashed - during the storm crashed on the rock.

In Britain, baptism occurred 2 times. The Romans brought to the island of Christianity, which was subsequently subjected to pagan views and practically eradicated, but approximately the VI-VII centuries. Revived in Anglo-Saxes.

The war of England and Spain ended only after the death of Elizabeth, which died in 1603. After her, children did not remain, and the throne was inherited to Yakov VI (James), the son of Mary Stewart, - King Scotland. When he climbed into the throne of Britain, he was called Yakov I. From now on, the dynasty of Stuarts begins.

In 1578, Yakov became King Scotland, he was only 12 years old. Already then he knew that after the death of Elizabeth, he could become the English king, and that the opposition to Protestant Britain with Catholic neighbors could be the cause of the invasion of France and Spain in England. Jakov was able to support friendship with France and Spain, while he managed to stay and the ally of England. Like Tudora, Yakov believed that the state should rule only the king, therefore, in making any decisions, he paid for help to approximate advisers, and not to parliament. Having entered into the throne of England in 1603, Yakov I was adopted by his subjects, despite the fact that he was a led from the province, which proves the presence of diplomatic abilities and the ability to edit.

During the reign of the Stuart dynasty, as a result of various disagreements of the king with parliament in 1601, a civil war began. The House of Commons was against the monopolies who sold the old Queen of Elizabeth, nevertheless the conflict decided not to sharpen, as the Parliament respected the empress and was afraid.

Yakov I, like his predecessor, tried to do without the intervention of parliament. His advisers were court sowmen, but Yakov was confident in his "sacred right" of the king. This served as the first conflict.

Economics and British Politics

Elizabeth, after death, left her successor at a completely empty treasury and a large debt in the amount of the country's annual income. For his repayment, Yakov had to seek help from parliament to achieve tax raising. The consent of Parliament was received, but for this from the king they demanded the right to discuss the external and internal policies of the state. The refusal of the king, who focused on his "Holy Law", reminded everyone about the agreement "Magna Card", signed at the beginning of the XIII century.

King Yakov I until the very death conflicted with parliament. After him, his son, Karl I, was ascended to the throne. But with the arrival of the new king, the conflict with parliament only aggravated. The reason for the quarrel was the money.

Realizing the disadvantage of its position, Karl I decided to dissolve parliament. Karl's greatest power was achieved in 1637. It was up to this point that he was engaged in the country's office alone, that is, without the help of parliament. He had a persistent feeling in the unrequisite for this organ.

However, in 1637, Karl I makes his first fatal mistake, as a result of which for the next morning, the Scottish army will rise against England. This embossed was that the king wanted to introduce an English church in Scotland. Despite the fact that the ruler of Scotland at that time was Karl, the Scots were independent of England, had their own laws, an army, religion and even the system of monetary signs. The desire for Rolling England to impose another religion was perceived as an attempt on their freedom and rights. All this led to the rebellion of the Scots.

To protect England, Karl I could not collect enough soldier, because it was impossible without the consent of Parliament. The decisive battle took place on the border of England and Scotland. The victory was on the side of the rebels. The victim defeat, Karl I was obliged to leave his attempts to change something in Scotland. Among other things, in order to return home, he had to pay a ransom. The king was forced to turn to parliament, and he, in turn, did not fail to take advantage of the situation. Carlo had to agree with the law proposed by the Parliament, which indicated that the meeting of the Parliament should take place at least 1 time in 3 years. By signing this law, Karl did not even think to follow him.

At the beginning of the 40s. XVII century In Ireland, the riot began, as a result of which about 3,000 people were injured, mainly Protestants. Among the killed were women, and children, the Catholics of Ireland did not spare anyone. At this time, a new quarrel was brewing between parliament and Karl I, since they could not decide who should manage the army thrown on the suppression of the inside. Some members of parliament believed that the king would use the army against parliament.

Karl was close to the Catholic Church, and many of the Irish rebels were already openly said that they were not against the king, but against his Protestant parliament. In 1642, London's gate closed in front of the king, the reason for this was the unsuccessful attempt to Karl I to arrest some members of parliament. The king had to go to Nottingham. He gathered an army to overclock the rebelled parliament, which was the reason for the next civil war.

The people refused to take part in this war. On the side of the parliament were the population of London and the entire fleet, as well as most of the merchants. For the king - only some members of the House of Commons and most of the chamber of the Lords. By 1645, the Karl army was completely broken.

The command of the army from parliament included Oliver Cromwell, landowner. It is he who is attributed to the creation of a new type of regular army - the ancestor of the modern Armed Forces of the UK. Traditional red uniforms are also the echoes of the clothing that Cromwell fighters were worn. In their ranks, Oliver took people educated people who wanted to fight for their beliefs and defend their point of view.

After the defeat of the royal army, Carlo had to run to Scotland, where he collected a new army. However, at the end of the summer, 1648, the Scots betrayed him before the main decisive fight in the city of Newcastle. The chiefs of the Scottish Army issued Charles I Oliver Cromwell.

From 1611 to 1621. Yakov I carried out the Board of the country without parliamentary intervention only because there were no wars in Britain. Otherwise, the content of the army would be impossible.

Charla sharpened in the castle, and in mid-December 1648 the Chamber of Communities was made that the cause of all the country's misfortunes and disasters is not anyone else like the king of England Karl I.

On January 4, 1649, the authorities finally moved into the hands of the House of Commons. After 2 days, the Supreme Court of Justice was formed. The hearing of the court of King Carl I was held from January 20 to January 27, 1649. Carl was accused of treason, calling him a murderer and Tiran, and ultimately the cruel and heartless enemy of the nation. The sentence was merciless - the death penalty.

On January 30 of the same year on the square near Whiteholl, Carlo cut off his head. Karl I was the first king of England, who was convicted and executed.

The republic that followed this (from 1649 to 1660) was also not successful. Republican Britain had the name "Commonwealth", but she did not receive recognition. The Government of Cromwell and his associates was even more stringent and harsh. First, they eliminated the monarchy, trail got rid of the chamber of the Lords, and then from the church.

The execution of Charles I was a huge shock for the Scots, who could not forgive themselves for the betrayal of their king. Therefore, the people of Scotland recognized the son of Charles I, Charles II, his new ruler. Under the banner of Karl II, the Scots went to the English army troops and were defeated. Karl II had to run to France. England was able to join Scotland.

In 1653, the regular army of Cromwell dispersed the parliament. Thus, he became the only ruler of the country. Creation of Britain, Oliver Cromwell invented the title "Lord Protector". He himself put himself with the powers of the monarch, the Self-dealers, who did not possess the real king of Karl I. His country management based on the army bayonets caused a huge discontent from ordinary people who were ever for liberation.

In 1658, Oliver Cromwell dies. His so-called government (protectorate) falls apart. Hope Cromwell that after his death the authorities over Britain will post his son (Richard Cromwell), not justified. Richard did not possess the inborn abilities of the leader, and after a while the power passed into the hands of General Monmut. In 1660, the general took London, returned Charles II, the king of England, to the throne, which belonged to His ancestors. From that moment on, the republic has ceased to exist.

After his return to England, the king first canceled all the laws taken earlier. Revenge as such was not, Karl did not shed blood rivers. However, the direct perpetrators of the death of their father, he, naturally, punished, and with the rest she tried to reconcile. Karl II never forgot about his "sacred right" of the king, so the power of parliament during his rule was very weak.

Karl II, like his father, made attempts to reconcile Catholics with Protestants and Puritans. To achieve this goal, he announced in the state freedom of religion in the state. Karl II was closer to Catholics, which, as expected, was not approved by parliament.

The monarchical power in Britain became stronger, with the result that political parties were gradually began to form in the country - Vigi and Tori. The first had moderate political views, they supported the Royal Decree on Freedom of Religion and experienced fear in relation to the absolute monarchy. But the party of Tori, on the contrary, was conservative, it included continiers of the business of the royalists' aristocrats. Vigi, in turn, insisted on the harmony of parliament with the king.

Oliver Cromwell in accordance with his Protestant and Puritan looks has established a ban on celebrating even such holidays as Easter and Christmas.

Fear in front Catholic Church And its objection to power was so great that the parliament considered it necessary to adopt the law prohibiting Catholics to be part of and be members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

Despite all the attempts of Parliament, to remove representatives of Catholicism from the authorities, after the death of Karl II for the throne, his brother Yakov II, who was also Catholic. Britain entered on the throne in 1685. The new king decided to immediately abolish some laws relating to discrimination on the basis of religion, containing the ban of Catholics to occupy high posts in the state. Yakov II intended to return to England Catholic Church.

The political parties of Britain (Vigi and Tory) were desperate. They did not have anything, how to unite their strength against a single enemy. They appealed for help from the Mistower of the Netherlands Wilhelm Orange, who is her husband of Yakov's daughter, Mary. Their request was that Wilhelm presented the rights to Trone Britain, which, undoubtedly, he had.

When Wilhelm Orange with his troops was in London, he was refused in the crown, offering her only Mary. Then the ruler of the Netherlands threatened that he would leave the English territory and, thus, the parliament to violence Yakov II. Nothing remained for parliament, except for agreeing to recognize Wilhelm Orange with his ruler with Maria.

After the death of Mary in 1694, Wilhelm became the united ruler of Britain and was already called Wilhelm III. After the defeat on the river, the Boyn was forced to flee into France. Before his death, he hoped that at least one crown would return to him. Wilhelm Orange is considered to be the first elected parliament by the king.

In 1688, for the parliament was another victory: he began to have a greater power in political life Countries than her monarchist ruler, and it was officially confirmed.

The news that the king of England Yakov II was cooled, grown up and Scotland, and Ireland. Scottish supporters of the Stuarts dynasty (Yakov was and their monarch) raised an uprising, choking along with the death leader of the Bunt. Most of the rebels were Catholics.

Scotland still remained a separate kingdom and was an independent country. She had the opportunity to make an attempt to return to the Tron of Stuarts or restore the Union with France. The British wanted to associate two states. The British presented Scotland a requirement that contained that restrictions on trade undermining the economy of the Scottish state will be destroyed if their kingdoms are combined. Failure would mean the next invasion of the British.

In 1707, the United Kingdom of England and Scotland consolidated the Unified Name - United Kingdom. From that moment on, everything became united, including parliament. Only the church, as well as legislative and judicial systems in Scotland remained the same.

The last of the stuart dynasty, Queen Anna, died in 1714, and then the monarchy was not absolute. Now there was a parliamentary monarchy limited by the Constitution.

In the XVII century The United Kingdom had many enemies - France, Holland and Spain. With the Dutch there was a constant competition in trade, but by the middle of the century an agreement was reached, managed to sign the world with France. The causes of the conflict were excessive expansion and the power of the French state. In several battles, the British won, and in 1713, France gave its consent to some restriction of expansion. At the same time, the French was recognized that the only legitimate heir and the ruler of the British state is the Queen Anna, and not her son Yakov II.

For the XVII century. The United Kingdom has become a powerful state, like France. The reasons were the expansion of possessions, at the expense of colonies and developing trade and industry. In addition, England possessed the largest military fleet, whose duties included control over trade routes.

In 1707, an act of Unia was drawn up, where it was that Scotland and England became a single state having the name "Kingdom of Great Britain".

In the XVIII century A war began between England and Spain, the name of the War of the Spanish inheritance, during which the UK was seized by land in the area of \u200b\u200bNorth America and Gibraltar. Decisions of state importance were not taken by the king, but the ministers, since the power was now in the hands of parties and parliament. British's wealth increasingly increased, and a considerable role was played by trade relations with the colonies. A huge minus in such a change of power and the transition of fixed capital to a small circle of entrepreneurs and financiers was that ordinary people became landless and homeless. This forced them to move them to other cities. An unexpected increase in provincial cities such as Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester and Liverpool began.

In 1714, the Queen of Great Britain Anna dies. Naturally, the question arises about who will be its successor. One of the contenders for the throne was the son of Anna Yakov II, but he did not want to take the Religion of the British, so Braunschweig-Lüng Georg became the new ruler of Britain - the head of a small state in Germany, who marked the beginning of the next dynasty - Hannover.

The new monarch was not very interested in the affairs of Great Britain, as a result of which government powers were expanded. For example, the Minister of King Robert Walpol has highlighted significantly against the background of others, it is he called the first Prime Minister of England.

Robert Walpol wished for the monarch to be controlled by parliament, because the entire monarchy was observed throughout Europe. The royal power was limited in this way: the monarch did not have the right to adhere to Catholic religious views, did not have the right to adopt acts about the abolition of laws or bringing any changes to them, and the most important thing - recognized the complete dependence of the army and the monarch finance from parliament.

After the death of King George I, in 1727, his son, George II climbed onto the TRON of Great Britain. Thanks to this direct inheritance, Hannover dynasty has strengthened its position in the country.

France was a powerful state, and the Union concluded in 1733 could lead to the fact that its trading positions would have improved significantly. Now France could freely trade with the colonies of Spain, who were on Far East And on the territory of South America, which the British have sought a long time and unsuccessfully.

The war with France was inevitable, its beginning had to be in 1756. England also fought with France (1743-1748), but this time the British attacked the colonies belonging to France, and the Battle of Europe, which was happening in Europe, continued the Ally of England Prussia. The British set forth the goal of destroying the trade in France with the colonies in general. This war lasted 7 years (from 1756 to 1763). As a result, Canada and North America were conquered.

French Canada was captured in 1759. Now the British controlled forest, fish and fur trade. In the area of \u200b\u200bSpanish coast, the military fleet of France was defeated; In the south of India (near Mandraca) and in Bengal, the French were also broken. As a result, the goal was achieved - trade routes and the interests of the French were eliminated, the opponent was weakened. A huge part of India fell under the influence and control of Britain. The new colonies were immediately filled, there a huge number of British poured there, thanks to which the question of the improvement of the population of the village was allowed.

Already in 1760, the power was in the hands of George III. The new ruler did not want to continue the war with the French, as a result, the world was concluded. This event refers to 1763. However, George III (Fig. 18) forgot to warn the recent Ally of England - Prussia.

Fig. 18. Ruler George III

Thanks to the acquisition of new colonies, trade in the UK began to develop much faster. The most profitable colonies were located in India. By the end of the XVIII century. "Private Trade Triangle" formed: Products provided by England (knives, fabrics, etc.), changed on slaves in the lands of West Africa, after which they were brought to plantations where sugar cane were grown (in West India), and sugar Received on these plantations was subsequently transported to the UK.

In 1764, there was a conflict between the Government of England and the colonies in America, the reason for whom the exorbitant taxation was the reason, since taxes from these colonies were constantly required, and the attention was paid to the population relatively small. In the 70s. XVIII century Colonies in North America numbered approximately 2.5 million people. Part of the population of the colonies assumed that the taxes with which they were taxed were illegal. Boycotted goods from the UK was announced. The British authorities decided that to suppress this rebellion should be applied strength. As a result, the war began in America for the independence of the country. She continued for 8 years (1775-1783). The American war ended with the absolute defeat of the English troops. Colonies located on the territory of North America were lost for Britain, only Canada remained.

Still after the adoption of an act of ENIA 1707, when England began to be called the United Kingdom, in 1801 the country received the name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The combination of these two states was needed in order to strengthen the control of the UK.

Parliament, acting earlier in Ireland, was abolished. This kingdom continued its existence for 120 years.

At the beginning of the XIX century. More than half of Europe were under the control of France, which at that time was ruled by Napoleon, he forced other European countries to join him. After France took possession of Belgium and Holland, the United Kingdom also entered into fighting France.

Stuart dynasty tried to conquer the throne of Britain many times and Scotland suffered most of all. So, the grandson of Jacob II, Prince Charles Edward Stewart, went to the Scottish coast with the same intention - to conquer the throne. He gathered an army against the British, which included some hustras. The troops were defeated, the rebels are gratened, the riot choke.

It was best to fight the British at the sea, as the Navy was the best of the UK navy. Commanded by the British fleet Admiral Horatio Nelson. It was thanks to him that it became possible to win a few significant battles near Copenhagen and Egypt. And in 1805 he defeated the flotilla belonging to the Spaniards and the French, which was near Spain - near the traffaligar.

In 1815, Napoleon's army was divided by its ally under Waterloo. The French emperor was exiled to the island of Saint Helena, who belonged to the British and was in South Atlantic. In 1821, Napoleon died.

Century Hannover Dynasty ended. Monarch George III in old years weakened by reason, and the country's rule took his son Georg IV in his hands.

In 1820, George III dies and George IV becomes a full ruler of Great Britain.

George IV did not have children, and in 1830 the throne inherited his younger brother, who ruled the country for the next 7 years. Wilhelm IV also did not have the heirs, as a result of which his niece Victoria rose to the throne of Great Britain. It was she who became the last of the Hannover dynasty.

At the peak of the power of the British Empire

XIX century was marked by the bloom of Great Britain. It was then that she received the status of the empire. Under its control there was a large number of territories. The production of goods in the UK was the highest in the world about 1875. The population also grew, the reason for this was the increase in the middle class among the inhabitants of the country. For example, by 1815 there were approximately 13 million inhabitants in the country, after 60 years the population has doubled, and at the beginning of the XX century. (in 1914) there were already more than 40 million people.

Thanks to such an increase in the population and crossing residents from the periphery in the cities there were some changes in the political balance. The right to vote in the election by the end of the XIX century. Most men have been given. The affairs of state and political importance practically switched to the middle class. The influence of the monarchy and aristocracy almost sued no. True, the working class has no voting rights yet.

There was a need for the reform of the political system. Opinions of political parties diverged: Tori proposed that the representatives of the property were parliament. Vigi, being liberals, hesitated and wanted such changes that would not lead to the revolution. The reforms were authorized in 1832. This reform was recognized as a new urbanism of the British society.

At the end of the XIX century. Most of the modern state system of England was created. About 60% of men in the cities and 70% are already allowed to vote in the provinces. The number of parties increased dramatically. The newspaper industry developed considerable pace, thanks to popular newspapers for poorly educated residents increased importance public opinion. Democracy began spreading into many areas. At that moment, the political map of the United Kingdom looked as follows: conservatives held the territory in the south of England, the radicals were located in Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and also occupied the land of North England. The House of Lords lost its influence and was engaged only by the fact that he tried to prevent any reforms offered by the Chamber of Communities, which now has more than 650 members. Sale of state posts was canceled.

The UK entered on the TRON in 1837. Queen Victoria was still very young. Her board lasted for more than 60 years - until death in 1901, when in 1861, the Queen's husband died, Prince Albert, Victoria was very much worried about this loss. After some time, she returned to managing the country and began to actively participate in her affairs, which brought the queen of great popularity, the biggest since the beginning of the history of Britain.

The colonies, which were in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, received self-government, dependence on Britain decreased, but the English monarch was to be recognized by the head.

The United Kingdom began to engage in the expansion of their colonies. She did not put the task of colonizing all the lands. Huge interest in England was represented by territory, thanks to which it would be possible to get geopolitical benefits. This desire was motivated by the desire to strengthen its influence on the world stage. The main tasks of their foreign policy, the United Kingdom considered the control of world trade and maintain the balance of power in Europe.

Under the control of England, all the oceans and a huge part of the sushi were falling. In the most flourishing of the British Empire, the colony brought a lot of inconveniences, since too much money was required for their content. In the XX century This was not able to use the United Kingdom, and gradually the colonies began to receive complete independence.

So, in 1921, significant independence was provided to South Africa, conquered with great difficulty in 1899-1902. She was one of the last liberated colonies. Already in 1960, South Africa receives complete freedom from Britain.

But the liberation of the Irish from the oppression of the British turned into a war between Protestants and Catholics. From 1845 to 1847 in Ireland was a terrible hunger. The local population was dying, while wheat grown by them was exported to England. Many Irish then moved to the United States.

By the beginning of the XX century. Life conditions for beggars were significantly improved mainly due to a decrease in 40% of prices and increase wages by 2 times. In addition, in the 70s. XIX century Several laws on education were adopted, according to which absolutely all children before the thirty-year age were obliged to visit schools.

The state educational system in Scotland existed for a long time. There were four universities there, and three of them were created in the Middle Ages era. In Wales at the beginning of the XIX century. Two universities were built, and the number of schools increased.

In the UK, universities were built, in which they were made more knowledge in the field of technology and sciences, as it was required to satisfy the demand of the English industry (it was the main difference between new universities from Oxford and Cambridge).

The government is now located in the city, and not in the province. The local government system existing today has begun to operate. The church finally lost its position, already in 1900 her attendance on Sundays decreased to 19%.

Sunset Empire

British, who lived at the beginning of the century, did not fully understand that they were at the dawn of the new era. There was a faith in the ability to make the economy and social conditions better, to build a democratic society in a peaceful way.

In the second decade of the XX century. The crisis has come in Parliament: a new budget providing for an increase in taxes to the ownership of wealthy people, did not want to take the House of Lords. However, the crisis ceased after the statement of King George V that, to adopt this budget, he applies a different, more liberal lord's chamber. Thus, all objections immediately disappeared. In the meantime, the House of Communities adopted the law, where the House of Lords has not had the right to challenge and cancel laws relating to finance and adopted by the House of Commons. The rights of the House of Lords were significantly infringed.

At the turn of the XIX and XX centuries. The power of Great Britain has decreased. For example, civil and military production in the United States and Germany was much more developed than in England. The reasons for such a state of affairs are designed in the fact that most of the financiers of Britain engaged in the investment of capital abroad, while other European countries sought to invest in their industry. It turned out that the industry in England, devoid of support, gradually reduced turnover. The United Kingdom lags greatly in the art and in science.

In 1907, the Government of Eduard VII, the son of Queen Victoria, tried to take measures to social improvement. To do this, free lunches were introduced in schools, and a year later a program for the payment of old-age pensions. Then opened the Exchange of Labor, and already in 1911 the national insurance system was introduced.

The awareness that the UK is no longer a great global power that the control over the sea is lost that its army and the fleet are no longer the most mighty, it was sudden. Realizing its position, England hurried to conclude unions with other European countries - with Russia, France and Japan. Being allies of the Ottoman Empire and Germany failed. It should be noted that the latter by that time an unprecedented power was found, which could not not scare the UK.

At the beginning of the XX century. Almost all countries, calling themselves empires, had to get rid of the colonies, which, having received freedom, became independent states. There were contradictions associated with the management of colonies that were formed in the era of the heyday of the British Empire, and the military and economic Development those countries that were deprived during the section of the world. These contradictions became one of the significant moments in international politics. It was difficult to solve this question in a peaceful way, and the use of force could lead to a large number of bloody conflicts, as happened in the first world war.

In the 40-60s. XX century In the UK, a certain atmosphere was established, in which it was not possible to explain the reasons for which the UK is obliged to engage in India or colonies. At the end of the Second World War, empires, having territories beyond the sea, began to disintegrate. The empire cannot exist with political freedom, i.e., if there is a real democratic law in the country, which applies to all residents of the country. After the Second World War, the fate of the British Empire was already predetermined. Famous British historian Professor N. Ferguson notes that the only reminder of the existence of the British Commonwealth is English. The Great British Empire has sunk in the fly.

At the time of the highest flourishing of the Roman Empire, its dominion applied to extensive territories - their total area was about 6.51 million square kilometers. However, in the list of the largest empires in the history of Roman occupies only a nineteenth place.

What do you think, what is the first?

The largest empire in the world in history

Mongolian

295 (21.7 % )

Russian

214 (15.8 % )

Spanish

48 (3.5 % )

British

567 (41.8 % )

Mongolian

119 (8.8 % )

Turkic kaganat

18 (1.3 % )

Japanese

5 (0.4 % )

Arab Khalifat.

18 (1.3 % )

Macedonian

74 (5.4 % )

Now we will find out the right answer ...

The millennium of human existence passed under the sign of wars and expansions. There were, the great states grew and crumbled, which changed (and some continue to change) the appearance of the modern world.

The empire is the most powerful type of state, where various countries and peoples are united under the rule of the single monarch (emperor). Consider the ten largest empires ever appearing on the world stage. Oddly enough, but in our list you will not find neither the Roman nor Ottoman, nor even the Empire of Alexander Macedonsky - a history of Vidal and more.

10. Arab Khalifat.

Population: -

State Square: - 6.7

Capital: 630-656 Medina / 656 - 661 Mecca / 661 - 754 Damascus / 754 - 762 El Coon / 762 - 836 Baghdad / 836 - 892 Samarra / 892 - 1258 Baghdad

Minding: 632 g

Fall of the Empire: 1258 g

The existence of this empire marked t n. "Golden Era Islam" - the period from VII to the XIII century N. e. Caliphate was founded immediately after the death of the creator of the Muslim Faith Mohammed in 632, and his core became the Medical community founded by the Prophet. The centuries of Arab conquests increased the area of \u200b\u200bthe empire to 13 million square meters. km, covering the territory on all three parts of the old world. By the middle of the XIII century, calipheat, separated by internal conflicts, was so weed that was easily captured by the Mongols first, and then the Ottomans - the founders of another Great Front Asian Empire.

9. Japanese Empire

Population: 97 770 000

State Square: 7.4 million km2

Capital: Tokyo.

Objective: 1868

Fall of the Empire: 1947

Japan is the only empire on a modern political map. Now this status is rather formal, but 70 years ago, it was Tokyo who was the main center of imperialism in Asia. Japan is an ally of the Third Reich and the Fascist of Italy - then tried to establish control over the western coast of the Pacific Ocean, dividing the extensive front with the Americans. At this time, the peak of the territorial scope of the empire, which controlled almost all the marine space and 7.4 million square meters. KM Sushi from Sakhalin to New Guinea.

8. Portuguese Empire

Population: 50 million h. (480 BC) / 35 million h. (330 g. BC. Er)

State Square: - 10.4 million km2

Capital: Coimbra, Lisbon

From the XVI century, the Portuguese was looking for ways to break through the Spanish isolation in the Iberian Peninsula. In 1497, they were opened by the sea route to India, which marked the beginning of the growing portuguese colonial empire. Three years earlier between the "sword neighbors", a Tordesillas Agreement was concluded, which actually divided the world between the two countries at that time, on the unprofitable conditions for the Portuguese. But it did not prevent them from collecting more than 10 million square meters. CM Lands, most of which was occupied by Brazil. Macau's transfer to the Chinese in 1999 completed the colonial history of Portugal.

7. Turkic kaganat

Area - 13 million km2

one of the largest in the history of mankind of ancient states in Asia, created by the Tribal Union of Turbs (Turkutov) led by the rulers from the genus Ashin. During the greatest expansion (end of the 6th century), controlled the territory of China (Manchuria), Mongolia, Altai, East Turkestan, Western Turkestan (Central Asia), Kazakhstan and the North Caucasus. In addition, the Danniki Kaganat had Sasanid Iran, the Chinese states Northern Zhou, the Northern Qi since 576 and from the same year the Turkic Kaganat rejects the North Caucasus and Crimea from Byzantium.

6. French Empire

Population: -

State Square: 13.5 million square meters. KM

Capital: Paris

Start of Pouring: 1546 g

Fall of the Empire: 1940 g

France has become the third European power (after Spain and Portugal), which is interested in overseas territories. Starting from 1546 - the base time New France (Now Quebec, Canada) - originates the formation of Francophone in the world. Having lighted the American confrontation of Anglo-Saxam, and also inspired by Napoleon's conquests, the French took almost all West Africa. In the middle of the twentieth century, the Empire Square reached 13.5 million square meters. km, more than 110 million people lived in it. By 1962, most French colonies became independent states.

Chinese Empire

5. Chinese Empire (Qing Empire)

Population: 383 100 000 people.

State Square: 14.7 million km2

Capital: Mukden (1636-1644), Beijing (1644-1912)

Start of Repurient: 1616 g

Fall of the Empire: 1912

The oldest Empire of Asia, the cradle of Eastern culture. The first Chinese dynasties ruled from the II millennium BC. er, but the Unified Empire was created only in 221 BC. e. During the reign of Qing - the last monarchical dynasty of the Middle Kingdom - the empire held a record square of 14.7 million square meters. km. This is 1.5 times more than the modern Chinese state, mainly due to Mongolia, now independent. In 1911, the Xinhai Revolution broke out, which put the end of the monarchical order in China, turning the empire to the republic.

4. Spanish Empire

Population: 60 million

State Square: 20,000,000 km2

Capital: Toledo (1492-1561) / Madrid (1561-1601) / Valladolid (1601-1606) / Madrid (1606-1898)

Fall of the Empire: 1898

The period of world domination of Spain began with the times of waters of Columbus, which opened new horizons for the Catholic missionary and territorial expansion. In the XVI century, almost the western hemisphere was "at the feet" of the Spanish king with his "invincible Armada." It was at that time that Spain called "a country where the sun is never to sit", because its possessions covered the seventh of the sushi (about 20 million square meters) and almost half of the sea routes in all corners of the planet. The greatest Empire Inca and Aztecs fell in front of the conquistadors, and in their place there was mainly Hispanic Latin America.

3. Russian Empire

Population: 60 million

Population: 181.5 million (1916)

State Square: 23,700,000 km2

Capital: St. Petersburg, Moscow

Fall of the Empire: 1917

The largest continental monarchy in the history of mankind. Her roots reach the Moscow Principality, then the kingdom. In 1721, Peter I proclaimed the imperial status of Russia by owned by extensive territories from Finland to Chukotka. At the end of the XIX century, the state reached its geographical apogee: 24.5 million square meters. km, about 130 million inhabitants, over 100 ethnic groups and nationalities. Russian possessions at one time were Alaska lands (before its sale by the Americans in 1867), as well as part of California.

2. Mongolian Empire

Population: more than 110,000,000 people. (1279)

State Square: 38,000,000 km square. (1279)

Capital: Karakorum, Hanbalyk

Start of Repurient: 1206

Fall of the Empire: 1368 g

The greatest empire of all times and peoples whose meaning of existence was one - war. The Great Mongolian state was formed in 1206 under the leadership of Genghis Khan, stamping over several decades to 38 million square meters. km, from the Baltic Sea to Vietnam, and destroying each tenth resident of the Earth. By the end of the XIII century, her uluses covered a quarter sushi and a third of the world's population, which was then almost half a billion people. On the fragments of the empire, an ethnopolitical frame of modern Eurasia was formed.

1. British Empire

Population: 458,000,000 people. (approximately 24% of the world's population for 1922)

State Square: 42.75 km2 (1922)

Capital London

Start of Pouring: 1497

Fall of the Empire: 1949 (1997)

The British Empire is the largest of ever existing states in the entire history of mankind with colonies on all lively continents.

For 400 years of its formation, she sustained competition for world domination with other "colonial titans": France, Holland, Spain, Portugal. During his heyday, London controlled the fourth part of the world sushi (over 34 million square meters) on all the inhabited continents, as well as huge spaces of the ocean. Formally, it still exists in the form of the Commonwealth, and such countries as Canada and Australia remained subject to the British Crown.

The international status of English is the main heritage of Pax Britannica.

Another interesting thing for you from history: Remember, or for example. So you and. maybe you didn't know what was and

The original article is on the site Inforos Link to an article with which this copy is made -

British Empire (The British Empire), United Kingdom and her overseas holds. The largest empire in the history of mankind. The name "British Empire" was used in the mid-1870s. Since 1931, the British Commonwealth of Nations was officially called, after the 2nd World War - the Commonwealth of Nations and the Commonwealth.

The British Empire has developed as a result of a centuries-old colonial expansion: the colonization of the territories of North America, Australia, New Zealand, islands in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans; subordination of states or areas rejected by them; Capture (mainly military way) and subsequent accession to the British possessions of the colonies of other European countries. The formation of the British Empire took place in the acute struggle of the UK for the maritime domination and colony with Spain (see the English-Spanish wars of the 16th and 8th century), the Netherlands (see the English-Dutch wars of the 17-18th century), France (18 - early 19th century), and Also with Germany (end 19 - early 20th century). Rivalry for influence in a number of areas of the Asian continent was the cause of serious contradictions between the UK and Russian Empire. In the process of formation and development of the British Empire, the British imperial ideology, which imposed a bright imprint on all directions of life, internal and foreign policy of the UK.

The creation of the British Empire began in the middle of the 16th century, with the transition of England to the policy of conquering Ireland, the east coast of which was captured by her at the end of the 12th century. By the middle of the 17th century, Ireland was turned into a colony. In 1583, England proclaimed sovereignty over Newfoundland Island, who became its first overseas possession and a supporting base for conquests in a new world.

The defeat of the British in 1588 "invincible Armada" weakened the position of Spain as a leading sea power and allowed them to engage in the struggle for the colony. Of paramount importance was attached to the conquest of positions in the West Indies, which allowed to control the seasons who bind to Spain with its colonies in Central and South America (Transportation of gold, slaves), seize part of trade in colonial goods (cotton, sugar, tobacco, etc.) and on acquired lands to independently begin their production. In 1609, the British established in the Bermuda (officially colony from 1684), in 1627 - on the island of Barbados (Colony from 1652), in 1632 - on Antigua Island, in the 1630s - in Belize (from 1862 Colony British Honduras) , in 1629 - on the Bahamas (Colony from 1783), in the 1670s, the Island and Cayman Islands is officially crossed in their possession. At the same time, English merchants strengthened their positions on the golden shore in West Africa (the first English factory is founded there in 1553). In 1672, the royal African company was established, which took part of the trade in gold and slaves in his hands. As a result of the War of the Spanish Legacy (1701-14), the British achieved a monopoly right to trade in slaves in Spanish colonies, and capturing Gibraltar (1704) and the island of Menorca (1708), established control over Spain's communications directly from its coast. Until the mid-18th century, the Economic and Trade Interests of Great Britain in the Atlantic Triangle (United Kingdom - West India - West Africa) were of paramount importance for the development of the British Empire, the construction of which was carried out at the expense of the position of Spain. Since the beginning of the 18th century, subordinating to its influence by Portugal (see Metuana Agreement 1703), the British also included in the operation of its extensive colonial possessions, primarily in South America.

Since the foundation in 1607, the English colonization of the Atlantic coast began, the English colonization of the Atlantic coast and adjacent to him of North America (see North American Colonies of England); The new Amsterdam, who was taken away by the British at the Dutch in 1664, was renamed New York.

At the same time, the British penetration into India. In 1600, London merchants founded the East India Company (see the outflow of Indian companies). By 1640, she created a network of its factories not only in India, but also in Southeast Asia, in the Far East. In 1690, the company began to build Calcutta. As a result of the seven-year war, 1756-63, Great Britain displaced France from India (see the Anglo-French struggle for India) and largely undermined its position in North America (see also English-French wars in Canada 17-18 centuries).

The first crisis of the British Empire experienced, losing 13 of his colonies as a result of the independence war in North America, 1775-83. However, after US education (1783), tens of thousands of colonists moved to Canada, and the British presence was strengthened there.

From the mid-18th century, British penetration into the coastal regions of New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands were activated. In 1788, the first British settlement - Port Jackson (Future Sydney) appeared in Australia. In 1840, British colonists appeared in New Zealand, after which it was included in the overseas ownership of the UK. The resistance of the local population was suppressed (see the Anglo-Maori wars 1843-72). The Vienna Congress of 1814-15 fastened the Kappskie Colon (South Africa), Malta, Ceylon and other territories captured at the end of the 18th and early 19th century. By the mid-19th century, the British was mainly completed by the conquest of India (see Anglo-Mysur Wars, Anglo-Marath wars, Anglo-Sikh Wars), established control over Nepal (see the Anglo-Nepalese War 1814-16). In 1819, the port of Singapore was founded. In the middle of the 19th century, as a result of the English-Chinese war of 1840-42 and the Anglo-Franco-Chinese War of the 1856-60, non-equivance contracts were imposed, a number of Chinese ports were opened for British trade, the Island Island Island Island Island (Hong Kong) passed. At the same time, the United Kingdom moved to the policies of colonial seizures on the African continent (see the Anglo-Ashanti Wars, the Anglo-Buo-Jules' War of 1838-40, Lagos English War 1851).

In the period of the "colonial section of the world" (the last quarter of the 19th century), the United Kingdom captured Cyprus (1878), set full control over Egypt and Suez Canal (1882), completed the conquest of Burma (see the Anglo-Burmese Wars), established the actual protectorate over Afghanistan (see The Anglo-Afghan wars, Anglo-Afghan treaties and agreements), imposed non-equivance contracts to Siam and achieved rejection of a number of territories (see English-Siamese agreements). It has been conquered by extensive territories in tropical and South Africa - Nigeria, Golden Beach, Sierra Leone, South and Northern Rodezia, Bechuanland, Basutolend, Zululend, Swaziland, Uganda, Kenya (see the Anglo-Jules War 1879, Anglo-Board War of 1880 81, Podobo-English War of 1870-87, Brother's English War 1894, Sokhot-English War 1903). After the Anglo-Bristian War of 1899-1902, the Britain joined the Best Republic of Transvaal to their colonial possessions (the official name - South Africa) and an orange free state (annexed as a colony of an orange river) and, uniting them with the colonies of Kapskaya and Natal, created South - African Union (1910).

The British Empire consisted of states and territories that had different (over time in many cases changing) international legal status: Dominion, colonies, protectorates and mandate territories.

Dominions - countries with a large number of immigrants from Europe that had relatively broad rights of self-government. North America, and later Australia and New Zealand were the main directions of emigration from the UK. They had a multi-million dollar "white", mostly English-speaking, population. Their role in the global economy and politics was becoming increasingly noticeable. If the United States has won independence, then other overseas British possessions with the "white" population gradually achieved self-government: Canada - in 1867, Australian Union - in 1901, New Zealand - in 1907, South African Union - in 1919, Newfoundland - in 1917 ( In 1949, he entered into Canada), Ireland (without northern part - Olster, which remained in the UK) - in 1921. By decision of the Imperial Conference of 1926, they became referred to as the dominions. Their independence in domestic and foreign policy was confirmed by the Westminster Statute of 1931. Economic ties between them, as well as between them and metropolis, were established by the creation of sterling blocks (1931) and Ottava agreements of 1932 on imperial preferences.

In the colonies (there were about 50), the vast majority of the population of the British Empire lived. Each colony was managed by the Governor-General, which was prescribed by the British Ministry of Colonies. The governor formed the Legislative Council from officials of the colonial administration and representatives of the local population. In many colonies, traditional institutions of government were reorganized and integrated into the colonial management system as the "native" administrations, a part of the authorities and sources of income (indirect management) were left to the local nobility. The largest colonial possession - India - officially entered the British Empire in 1858 (before that he was managed by the British East India Company). Since 1876, the British monarch (at that time - the Queen of Victoria) was also referred to as the emperor of India, and the Governor-General of India is the vice-king.

The nature of the protection of protectorates and their degree of dependence on the metropolis were different. The colonial authorities allowed some independence of the local feudal or tribal top.

Mandate areas - Parts of the former German and Ottoman Empires, transmitted after the 1st World War of the Liga of Nations under the Office of Great Britain on the basis of the so-called mandate.

In 1922, during the greatest territorial expansion, the British Empire included: Metropolis - United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland); Dominions - Ireland (without Northern Ireland; until 1921 Colony), Canada, Newfoundland (Dominion in 1917-34), Australian Union, New Zealand, South African Union; Colony - Gibraltar, Malta, Ascension Island, Saint Elena Island, Nigeria, Golden Coast, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Mauritius Island, Seychelles, Somaliland, Kenya, Uganda, Zanzibar, Nyasaland, Northern Rodezia, Southern Rodezia, Swaziland, Basutolend, Bechuanaland, English-Egyptian Sudan, Cyprus, Aden (with Perim, Sokotra Islands), India, Burma, Ceylon, Streit Setlets, Malaya, Sarawak, North Borneo, Brunei, Labrador, British Honduras, British Guiana, Bermuda, Bahamas , Jamaica Island, Trinidad and Tobago Islands, Windshed Islands, Leed Islands, Terks Islands and Caicos, Falkland Islands, Barbados Island, Papua (Colony of the Australian Union), Fiji, Tonga Islands, Gilbert Islands, Solomon Islands and a number of small islands in Oceania; Mandate territories - Palestine, Transordania, Iraq, Tanganyik, part of the same part of Cameroon, South-West Africa (South African Union's mandate), Nauru Island, former German New Guinea, Pacific Islands south of Equator, Western Samoa Islands (mandate New Zealand). The UK domination also actually spread to Egypt, Nepal and on Xiangan rejected from China (Hong Kong) and Weihavi (Weihai).

The struggle of the Afghan people forced the United Kingdom in 1919 to recognize the independence of Afghanistan (see Anglo-Afghan agreements 1919, 1921). In 1922, Egypt became formally independent, in 1930 - the English mandate on the management of Iraq was stopped, although both countries remained in the sphere of British domination.

The collapse of the British Empire came after the 2nd World War as a result of a powerful rise in the anti-colonial struggle inhabited by its peoples. Attempts to preserve the British empire by maneuvering or the use of military force (colonial wars in Malaya, Kenya and other British possessions) suffered a failure. In 1947, the United Kingdom was forced to provide independence to the largest colonial ownership - India. At the same time, the country was divided into regional and religious features into two parts: India and Pakistan. Independence proclaimed transortion (1946), Burma and Ceylon (1948). In 1947, the UN General Assembly decided to terminate the British Mandate on Palestine and the creation of two states - Jewish and Arabic on its territory. In 1956, the independence of Sudan was proclaimed, in 1957 - Malaya. The golden coast was the first of British possessions in tropical Africa in 1957 by an independent state, adopting the name Ghana.

1960 entered the story as the "Year of Africa". 17 African colonies have achieved independence, including the largest British possession in Africa - Nigeria, as well as Somaliland, who, united with a part of Somalia, who was under the administration of Italy, created the Republic of Somalia. Subsequent essential milestones of decolonization: 1961 - Sierra Leone, Kuwait, Tanganyik; 1962 - Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda; 1963 - Zanzibar (in 1964, uniting with Tanganic, formed the Republic of Tanzania), Kenya; 1964 - Nyasaland (became the Republic of Malawi), Northern Rodezia (became the Republic of Zambia), Malta; 1965 - Gambia, Maldives; 1966 - British Guiana (became the republic Guyana), Basutolend (Lesotho), Becuanglanda (became the Republic of Botswana), Barbados; 1967 - Aden (Yemen); 1968 - Mauritius, Swaziland; 1970 - Tonga, Fiji; 1980 - South Rodezia (Zimbabwe); 1990 - Namibia. In 1997, Hong Kong became part of China. In 1961, the South African Union proclaimed himself South Africa Republic And came out of the Commonwealth, but after the elimination of Aparthadge regime (1994), he was again accepted into its composition.

The disintegration of the British Empire did not mean, however, a complete breaking of close economic, political and cultural ties between its parts that have been developing for many decades. The British Commonwealth itself has undergone fundamental changes. After the independence of India, Pakistan and Ceylon (since 1972, Sri Lanka) and their entry into the British Commonwealth of Nations (1948), it became the association of not only metropolis and "old" dominions, but also of all states that arose within the British Empire. From the title "British Commonwealth of Nations" the word "British" was seized, and in the future it began to call "Commonwealth". At the beginning of the 21st century, it consisted of 53 members: 2 - in Europe, 13 - in America, 9 - in Asia, 18 - in Africa, 11 - in Australia and Oceania. The Commonwealth adopted Mozambique, who never entered the British Empire.

The border of the 20th and 21st century was marked by the exit in the UK of fundamental research on the history of the British Empire, including those devoted to the problems of interaction of the cultures of the nations of the Empire, various aspects of decolonization and the transformation of the empire in the Commonwealth. Developed and launched a long-term project of multi-volume edition "British documents about the end of the Empire".

Lit.: Cambridge History of the British Empire. Camb., 1929-1959. Vol. 1-8; Erofeev N.A. The empire was created so ... English colonialism in the XVIII century. M., 1964; He is Sunset of the British Empire. M., 1967; He is English colonialism in the middle of the XIX century. M., 1977; Ostapenko G. S. British conservatives and decolonization. M., 1995; Porther V. The Lion's: Share: And Short History of British Imperialism, 1850-1995. L., 1996; OXFORD HISTORY OF THE BRITY EMPIRE. OXF., 1998-1999. Vol. fifteen; Davidson A. B. Cecil Rhodes is the builder of the Empire. M.; Smolensk, 1998; Hobsbaum E. Century Empire. 1875-1914. Rostov N / d., 1999; Empire and Others: British Encounters with Indigenous People / Ed. By M. Daunton, R. Halpern. L., 1999; Boyce D.g. Decolonisation and The British Empire, 1775-1997. L., 1999; The Commonwealth in the 21st Century / Ed. By G. Mills, J. Stremlau. L., 1999; Cultures of Empire: Colonisers in Britain and the Empire In The Ninetenth and Twientieth Century: A Reader / Ed. by S. Hall. Manchester; N. Y., 2000; Lloyd T. Empire: The History of the British Empire. L.; N. Y., 2001; Butler L. J. Britain and Empire: Adjusting to and post-imperial world. L., 2001; Heinlein F. British Government Policy and Decolonisation. 1945-1963: Scrutinising The Official Mind. L., 2002; Churchill W. World crisis. Autobiography. Speech. M., 2003; Sili J. R., Kribe J.A. British Empire. M., 2004; James L. The Rise and Fall of the British Empire. L., 2005; BIBLIOGRAPHY OF IMPERIAL, COLONIAL AND COMMONWEALTH HISTORY SINCE 1600 / ED. By A. Porter. OXF., 2002.