In all my academic readings so far, I always find myself caught up in the text when the author begins discussing the British Empire. Everything about it I always find intriguing; the economic interests through investments and the market, the dire need for a secure local government, the breadth of British influence around the globe, the extent of its defenses with the navy, conscript military or Indian army...perhaps because Imperialism is an idea that no longer exists in the same way today, that may be why I am so attracted to it in history books. Of course native peoples were conquered and governed by an Imperial viceroy, subjected to its laws and dictations. I am not repulsed by this, however, because for the most part, 19th and 20th century British Imperialism provided many benefits for the cultural development of the afore mentioned lesser provinces or states. For example, British investments in the Suez Canal at the turn of the century did lay the road for eventual occupation in North Africa but her financial contributions, particularly in Egypt, helped rebuild an indebted city into one of the most prestigious Near Eastern economic capitals.
To get to my point, I was reading Winston S. Churchill's "The World Crisis, 1911-1914" in the Bodleian Library today and the pages just seemed to fly by. It helps that Churchill is a very entertaining author and easy to follow, but he also focused greatly on the dilemma of Anglo-German naval rivalry. From approximately 1900 to 1914, German militarism began to greatly increase their naval building programme as well as the armament power of their battle fleets. This led to great tension with Britain, as one of their primary foreign policies was to maintain the two-power naval standard, or, keep their navy equal to or greater than the strength of the next two largest naval powers combined. As Germany significantly increased her navy, Britain began to feel threatened. The Royal Navy represented the independence and strength of Great Britain, especially because it was the communication link as well as the primary defense of the entire British Empire. I found the following excerpt from Churchill's book of great significance to my personal academic interests in the Royal Navy and British Imperialism. I hope that the above synopsis can only serve to better help you see the genius of not only Churchill's authorship but also his ability to grasp significant themes in British history.
The World Crisis, 1911-1914
Churchill, Winston Spencer
For consider these ships, so vast in themselves, yet so small, so easily lost to sight on the surface of the waters. Sufficient at the moment, we trusted, for their task, but yet only a score or so. They were all we had. On them, as we conceived, floated the night, majesty, dominion and power of the British Empire. All our long history built up century after century, all our great affairs in every part of the globe, all the means of livelihood and safety of our faithful, industrious, active population depended upon them. Open the sea-cocks and let them sink beneath the surface, as another fleet was one day to do in another British harbor far to the north*, and in a few minutes - half an hour at the most - the whole outlook of the world would be changed. The British Empire would be dissolved like a dream; each isolated community struggling forward by itself; the central power of union broken; mighty promises, whole Empires in themselves, drifting hopelessly out of control, and falling a prey to strangers; and Europe after one sudden convulsion passing into the iron grip and rule of the Teuton and of all that the Teutonic system meant. There would only be left far off across the Atlantic unarmed, unready, and as yet uninstructed America, to maintain, singlehanded, law and freedom among men. Guard them well, admirals and captains, hardy tars and tall marines; guard them well and guide them true.
(p. 86)
*Churchill's reference to the 72 German warships captured after WWI, moored at Scapa Flow in Scotland, and scuttled by their own German crews as a last effort of defiance to the allied victors 21 June, 1919 and prevent the ships from falling into the hands of the enemy.
This is where history becomes exciting for me...
Cheers, Lindsay