Imperialism...?

Question

Imperialism has its own good effect and bad effects. Nobody likes imperialism, though, even when its good efects outweigh its bad effects. Freedome is the most precious thing.

In the past, Britain was the the great impire on which the Sun did not set.

In light of the above:

1. What are the good effects of the old imperialistic Britain?
2. What are the bad effects of the old imperialistic Britain?

Please illustrate your answer with brief examples.

PS: Serious people only. People who are biased, aggressive and use foul language, please abstain.

Answer 1

The good effect of Imperialism,
The British empire brought it lifestyle to its colonies, roads, schools, hospitals, factories, farms, law and order, etc.
In many parts of present day Africa life under the British Empire was far better than life today. If you travel in that region who may find a great many roads, railroads, and buildings that were built by the British and have not worked since the British left. During the colonial period, the indigenous people normally had free schooling, and free medical. Their as an effective law enforcement and relatively little crime.

The bad effects,
Lack of self determination. People wish to have freedom to do as they please. Arrogance, when occupied the British were always superior to the indigenous people, they had privileges that others did not have, which created tension. During war time this was difficult becasue troops were drawn from this colonies to fight in foreign countries, for the Empire and not out of a need for the colony.

Answer 2

Broad questions...
1 - the good effects - Travelyn i think had it when he said we ned to teach them [the Indian people] to rule themselves. So essentially Britain at that point was an Empire of ideas - spreading the notions of freedom, liberty and what not throughout the world. The early imperial period - conquest of Britain by England - was a period of negative imperialism as it was for the sake of power. So the late Imperial Period was the positive period.

2 - The negative effects of Empire - British EMpire - is the continued resentment of the previously ruled peoples toward England. Whilst they are not without Fault the English rulers did not do too bad a job. They introduced democracy, elections, equality (to a large degree) and industrialised many nations i.e. India. The bad effect has been resentment and also the abuses suffered by some people by the ruling British.

Now for my comments...

The British are most criticized for drawing wealth away from the nations within its Empire. However, i think that is a small price to pay for the industrialisation effect they brought. Especially in India where many cruel and obscene practices were ended by the British.
So i think that the main beef - economic abuse - is a mute point