what made the British Empire so strong for so long ?

Answer 1

well, that is a loaded question. So strong for so long. Compared to what? A less general approach would be much more informative. When did the British start their project towards maritime hegemony? (and someone has already pointed to superior naval technology and the defeat of the armada). It is also worth to ask what role did the financing of "privateers" had in the eventual holding of Caribbean colonies. It is also worth looking into the two phases of development in the struggle for empire. The first being characterized by inter-European conflicts over colonial holdings, which landed the British control over good part of the Caribbean and North America. The second being the establishment of commercial relations with resource rich non-Europeans countries and insidiously permeating their administrations to submit them to British interests. It is worthy to ask how much damage was done to indigenous populations in either phase.
So, while i agree that the British (as well other European imperialists) were successful not because, as they claim, they have a superior culture but rather due to a strategy of conquest that targeted rich countries in a bad position to defend themselves. The British targeted India when it was barely recovering from Persian aggression and submitted China by pushing Indian opium into Beijing (despite grave protestations from the imperial elite). The British also used their maritime and industrial prowess (developments funded with looted moneys) to contest Spanish and French trade monopolies, enriching themselves while weakening rival powers. Latin America was absorbed into the British sphere of influence in just this way, appropriating the Malvinas Islands during Argentina's post-revolutionary period.
So you see, its a matter of specifics. I doubt a plan was set up in the way of the American Empire (NSC-68 being the guiding document but other documents such as the Roosevelt Corolary to the Monroe Doctrrine and the Truman Doctrine being fundamental to Kennan's formulation). So that analysis of British virtues and crimes should be weighed independently rather than generally.

How should we speak the Zulu wars and the Boxer rebellion in the same breath? Sometimes the British cheated strong opponents and sometimes they massacred weak opponents. How should we compare the paradoxes of the colonial administration over Jamaica (and its fortunate parliamentary heritage) with the destruction of India's textile industry for the benefit of England's textile revolution?

Answer 2

the greatest, strongest and most tactically proficent navy the world has ever seen coupled with a well led, professionally trained army.

unlike other countries of that time (france, spain, portugal), britain did not conquer, it merely brought the countries under british protection. in fact, many countries of the empire asked for british help in ridding there countries of the other above mentioned ones. now i am not saying that britain did this out of the goodness of there heart, but it seems that more countries preferred the british to anybody else. sadly, it is not the same today.

also, the populace of each country became british. this meant that they were entitled to education and healthcare (an idea taken from roman history). it meant that people could see the benefits of being part of the british empire, the upside being harder workers and willing volunteers into our ever expanding army and navy.

i am not saying that britain was whiter than white in its empire days, but what we did worked well in that time and despite what other people might say we made changes to the world that still hold true to this day.

Answer 3

Yes. The sun never set on the British Empire. They controlled half of the world, all through their mastery of naval warfare. Let's see ~ the U.S. was a colony at one point, Canada, India, the Middle East (built the Suez Canal), a lot of Africa ~ hooked half of China on opium ~ yes, they were awesome. It took hundreds of years to establish such an Empire, with leadership always working to increase it and gain more. Too bad it was thrown away like at a crap table in WW2. This is why Democracy doesn't work. The labor of centuries is sacrificed by one administration for short-sighted reasons. edit ~ @Matthew ~ Our American Empire is not explicitly called an Empire. It's an implicit Empire. They actually called theirs an Empire. America doesn't have a crown, therefore, we can't have an Imperium.

Answer 4

A combination of circumstances and forces that made it very difficult for anyone to undermine it.
The 'discovery' of lands, such as New Zealand, Australia, South Africa which up till that point had been occupied by people whose cultures were not militarily or economically powerful gave the British a relatively free hand to exploit and inhabit those lands. This and the use of slave labour throughout the empire up until its abolition provided a solid platform on which to build the empire.
The protection provided by the Royal Navy enabled British merchantmen to travel with relative freedom throughout the world, to trade, to resupply colonies and outposts and to exploit opportunities wherever and whenever they arose. The defeat of first the Spanish Armada, and much later the French fleet at Trafalgar confirmed that the British Empire would not be threatened by up and coming rivals.
The rapid industrialisation of Britain created opportunities for huge wealth to be generated for the colonial elites lucky enough to have resources close to hand that were required in the industrial age, rubber, cotton and later oil. While many colonies had very valuable local resources such as gold, silver and diamonds which would bring vast wealth.
This wealth would enable colonists to protect themselves militarily against any local difficulties - often aided by the British Army who would also stop any interference by other imperial nations, such as France, Holland and Spain.
So basically, exploitation of people, land and mineral wealth, the free use of military power on land and sea, and the inability of any other nation to take it from them.
Finally defeated by a little Indian solicitor dressed in a white sheet.

Answer 5

Britain has a very successful sailing history, which was essential for running an empire. Britain was also Industrially advanced compared to pretty much the rest of the world. Plus Britain has always had a strong military.

Answer 6

they used political tactics and exploit the systems in so called colonial countries. British raj in India is a very good example for this.
if you have Virgin media on demand you can watch the documentary of the British empire

Answer 7

One factor could be the preeminance of the Royal Navy for much of that time. The Navy secured trade routes and enabled the British to quickly make an impressive show of force in many locations around the world.

Answer 8

The same as any other Empire in the history of the human race. Better and bigger armaments than the others. And the ability and knack of picking on weaker states or assorted tribes. Also avoiding or doing a deal with any hard opposition.

Answer 9

Justice and the rule of law. British rule was a lot better than what it replaced, and the colonial peoples knew it. Of course, most of their descendants have forgotten this, under the influence of corrupt self-seeking ranters.
Oh, and as for India's textile industry - well, all the other Indians had more money to spend on other things, and some of them spent it on textile machinery. Where is Lancashire now?

Answer 10

Sea power! The English became a sea power after destroying the Spanish armada,with a little help from God.
They soon became the sea power,till the first WW .when they had to share a LITTLE of that honor.They were still the top naval powerhouse,but Germany,Japan.Russia,and the U.S.were gaining ground.
Read up on the royal navy it is an amazing story,forget Wellington.I will take Nelson any day.