What did Britain use to become a global power?

Answer 1

This is a complex question, but the simplest answer is industrialization, naval power, the acquisition of bases from which to project this power, and ruthless mercantilism.

Britain greatly benefited from it's early industrialization. This dramatically increased her manufacturing capability and led to a series of scientific advances which were used to consolidate a lead over her rivals, particularly France and Germany.

The Royal Navy dominated the seas during the 18th and 19th centuries which coincided with the great rush to obtain overseas colonies. The British were able to grab many of the choicest or most strategically placed colonies along with their resources, of which coal would be the most important in the later part of this period. Coal fueled the steam driven navies and it was vital to have well placed naval bases around the world.

Based on this dominant strategic position the British were able to control trade and commerce within their Empire and to exclude rivals from this network, resulting in the development of the greatest mercantilist empire ever seen.

Answer 2

Excellent question which has many facets, but i will address the most obvious and the one which is having the most impact on the world today.
Britain has abused other countries by using unjust practices of Colonialization and Imperialism. Britain used the exploitation of weaker nations to steal their resources and to further it's own global positioning even if it meant overthrowing legitimate governments or killing innocent civilians in the process. Just as a leach sucks the life force out of its victims, the British government has become powerful through sapping the life force of many other cultures over many centuries.

More recently, Imperialistic foreign policies took a fateful turn in the 50's. The British government had obvious monetary interests through British Petroleum in it's exploitations of the country of Iran in the 1950's. By fooling the US into believing that it was in the US interest to support britain, Britain and the US governments overthrew a democratic government in Iran to preserve the interests of British oil in the region. That huge mistake has led to the instability of the region and has caused a domino effect leading to the current middle east crisis.
Imperialism provides big financial and political gains in the short term, but in the long term, unfair raping of other territories for personal gain would be the equivalent of a powerful man who rapes any woman he wants, then if she complains, he tells her that she should feel lucky that she was associated with him. It's barbaric and it ends up creating vigilante defense which is then called terrorism. It's a vicious cycle that ends in violence for both sides.
I suggest reading the book by Steven Kinzer titled: "All the Shah's Men". It will open your eyes as to how Britain's hunger for money and exploitative foriegn policies is the cause of instablity in the world currently. A must read for every American and Brit.

Answer 3

Not easy to answer in a few sentences but one of the things that helped it the most is that it is an island. Because of this it developed a strong navy to defend itself and conquer others. It also developed strong trading so it could develop into a great manufacturing nation. To keep other countries under control Britain allowed them a great role in their own affairs and ruled with a sense of what is known as British fair play. Being a mixture of peoples, many of which had conquered Britain also helped produce strong, hardworking and adventurous population.

Answer 4

The Royal Navy! Naval historian Alfred Thayer Mahan noted that all great powers maintained control of the seas. His "Influence of Sea Power Upon History" was the basis for American Imperialism under Theodore Roosevelt.

Answer 5

A strong navy. Back in those times, before airplanes, whoever controlled the waterways had the most power, since ships were the most efficient way to transport goods and people. Britain used its ships to colonize countries around the world.

Answer 6

Her navy for a start. She was known the world-wide for a commanding force on the seas.

Answer 7

Some say it was their navy,some say it was their advances in industry,or in scientific advances.Me,I'd say it was the fact that they lied,cheated,stolid,starved,and killed anyone in there way.If you need examples of this just look at our own history,look at the history between the Irish and Great Britain.That should tell you everything you need to know.

Answer 8

Her sea power. Once they and nature destroyed Spains sea power they were the only kids on the block.

Answer 9

She extenderd her influence across the globe by way of the Royal Navy.

Answer 10

They used countries with rich resources which are far away from being industrialized.They used the principles of imperialism,capitalism and darwinism.They exploited Africa and Asia.They used gunpowder.