Niall Ferguson - Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World - Empire for Sale 5/5

Historian and presenter Niall Ferguson takes us on a fascinating journey in both time and space to explore the impact of the British empire on the modern world. From the earliest British settlers in Virginia to the decline of the empire in the aftermath of the two World Wars, positive and negative aspects of the empire are illustrated through key events and players.

Niall Ferguson uses a wealth of original sources such as quotes, documents, film footage and photographs, as well as taking a contemporary look at key locations and drawing parallels with recent history, such as the USA's war against terrorism.

The series is highly entertaining, informative and thought-provoking, and provides an excellent and balanced overview of the British empire and its continuing legacy in the world.

Part six: Empire for Sale

The fall of the British empire is usually attributed to Nationalist groups fighting for independence, yet as Niall Ferguson argues in this final programme of the series, it was really due to the crippling cost of running the empire and financing the two World Wars. He reflects on the achievements and problems of the empire and concludes that in its twilight years Britain did more good than harm in fighting two far worse empires, namely Japan and Germany. Visiting some of the hot spots of the two World Wars and of the campaigns for independence that followed, such as Gallipoli, Istanbul, Suez, Amritsar and Singapore, presenter Niall Ferguson gives us a vivid picture of an empire on its last legs.

The British empire took 300 years to build and less than three decades to dismantle, leaving just a few scattered islands in its charge. Niall summarises the legacy of the empire in terms of the English language, a free market economy and parliamentary democracy across most of the world, yet doesn't hesitate in reminding us of the horror of the empire for millions of people.

In conclusion, Niall claims that America now controls an empire, not by owning colonies but by virtue of the spread of its brands, culture, economy, faith and ideals across the globe.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• niall
• ferguson
• empire
• britain
• made
• modern
• world

[imangrynow]

Thanks for uploading this its great!

You haven't got Colossus have you? It's the only one of his documentaries i haven't seen.

[BradlehAaron]

Hey, no problem, friend. (:

Ah, 'Colossus.' You know, I've searched everywhere for that, but to no avail.

If I ever do find it, though, you can be sure I'll put it on my page! :D

[dasmysteryman12]

Thanks for posting this!

[mikeypezza]

@MegaProjectpat they havn't had eachothers back though have they, certainlly not equally, americas contribution to the falklands is laughable if you look at britain jumping in at 9/11. I wouldn't use the term mutual respect atall, mutual interests is what it is.

[mikeypezza]

@MegaProjectpat It was nothing short of greedy capitalism, and a chance to get richer despite their forefathers on their knees. I realise the credit saved us, but it was certainly nothing devine on their part. What bugs me is that they think they single handedly won the war , when the reality is they came in in the last minute. 'nobody wanted to fight' well thats only true of the allies and it certainly didn't stop britain stepping in aid of other countries help .i.e poland,.

[mikeypezza]

@MegaProjectpat if america views itself as anti emperial, like neil ferugson says, then they are lying to themself. They had no reason to help? how about for the sake of global domination of the axis. Howabout to protect everything they stand for like they did in the cold war, socio/capitalism etc. How about to have an ounce of morality in preventing millions of deaths and genocide.

[MegaProjectpat]

@MegaProjectpat sorry meant cuban missle crisis*

[MegaProjectpat]

@mikeypezza And on top of it, america never set a credit limit. She could borrow as much as she needed/wanted till the war was over after dunkirk. I think that in itself says alot. Blood is thicker than water. UK/US/ANZAC have always had each others backs. Look at the falkland war. The CIA/FBI/DOD where tripping over each other to give any and all intel that came out of South America. Same with the Cold war, just roles reversed. We have a mutal respect for each other, As it should be...

[MegaProjectpat]

@mikeypezza I ont think they are arseholes for making britian pay, America had always viewed itself as anti-emperial despite the there vast territory's. And had no reason despite being and ex-colony to help her. No one wanted to fight. After the first great war the common reply to aiding britian was, we bailed them out once, if the european powers cant get along, who are we to intervene. I would say the same thing to any friend who asked me to borrow money.. pay me back please...