TIMELINE OF EMPIRE'S DECLINE
1919: After World War I, the British Empire is arguably at its peak. With the breakup of the Ottoman Empire, the British gain control of Palestine, Transjordan and Iraq through League of Nations mandates.
1921: The Anglo-Irish Treaty partitions Ireland and establishes the southern part as the Irish Free State, which has the same constitutional status as Canada.
1930: Mahatma Gandhi leads the Salt March, a major act of disobedience against the British salt monopoly in India.
1939: Start of World War II.
1947: The British partition India and Pakistan and grant both countries independenc1952: Queen Elizabeth II ascends to the British throne.
More to Come. --Dacoot
Showing posts with label empires. Show all posts
Showing posts with label empires. Show all posts
Monday, February 22, 2016
An Empire Shrinks: The British Empire 1920-2014-- Part 1
From the September 18, 2014, Chicago Tribune "An empire shrinks" by Jonah Newman.
A series of world maps showing the British Empire in 1920, 1940, 19601980 and 2014 accompanied the page.
Back in 2014, a map going over the internet listed just 22 of 193 countries which were not touched by British power. But actually, at its height, after World War I, Britain ruled either directly or de facto, more than 60 countries from Antigua to Zanzibar.
Decolonization, like colonization, was messy. Some took many years and several stages. And, there remains 53 countries that are a part of the U.K.'s Commonwealth of Nations.
Scotland was headed to the polls to determine its independence. After voting, 55.3% voted to remain a part of Britain which greatly surprised me.
--CooterBrit
A series of world maps showing the British Empire in 1920, 1940, 19601980 and 2014 accompanied the page.
Back in 2014, a map going over the internet listed just 22 of 193 countries which were not touched by British power. But actually, at its height, after World War I, Britain ruled either directly or de facto, more than 60 countries from Antigua to Zanzibar.
Decolonization, like colonization, was messy. Some took many years and several stages. And, there remains 53 countries that are a part of the U.K.'s Commonwealth of Nations.
Scotland was headed to the polls to determine its independence. After voting, 55.3% voted to remain a part of Britain which greatly surprised me.
--CooterBrit
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Well, Was It Kahn or Khan?-- Part 1
From the Feb. 23rd Chicago Tribune "A Genghis we hardly knew" by Steve Johnson.
I always have doubts when it comes to spelling this man's last name, unless I'm looking at it like in this article. And then, there is always the question of which Khan or Kahn came first, Kublai or Genghis?
I don't know a real lot about each except they were from Mongolia, one invaded China and established an empire, one attacked Japan, and John Wayne makes a sad-looking Mongol.
This article in the Trib shed some light. A new exhibit opened in Chicago's Field Museum and it shows how "the 13th-century Mongol emperor terrified opponents and won battles; the specialized arrows, some of them whistling, some flaming; the compact horse saddles and stand-up stirrups that allowed for full-range arrow firing; the cunning military strategy, including the 'feigned retreat,' that was really a double-back and reattack."
"That's the Genghis you thought you knew: warrior, plunderer, marauder, enduring symbol of empire by force."
But this exhibit also shows that not only was he a brilliant strategist and fan of new technology, but also an innovator and prudent ruler. He based his army on merit and loyalty, not bloodlines, conscripted rather than enslaved defeated soldiers, allowed those he defeated to continue with their religions.
Though illiterate himself, he made sure that his feats were written down.
Quite the Guy. --Cooter
I always have doubts when it comes to spelling this man's last name, unless I'm looking at it like in this article. And then, there is always the question of which Khan or Kahn came first, Kublai or Genghis?
I don't know a real lot about each except they were from Mongolia, one invaded China and established an empire, one attacked Japan, and John Wayne makes a sad-looking Mongol.
This article in the Trib shed some light. A new exhibit opened in Chicago's Field Museum and it shows how "the 13th-century Mongol emperor terrified opponents and won battles; the specialized arrows, some of them whistling, some flaming; the compact horse saddles and stand-up stirrups that allowed for full-range arrow firing; the cunning military strategy, including the 'feigned retreat,' that was really a double-back and reattack."
"That's the Genghis you thought you knew: warrior, plunderer, marauder, enduring symbol of empire by force."
But this exhibit also shows that not only was he a brilliant strategist and fan of new technology, but also an innovator and prudent ruler. He based his army on merit and loyalty, not bloodlines, conscripted rather than enslaved defeated soldiers, allowed those he defeated to continue with their religions.
Though illiterate himself, he made sure that his feats were written down.
Quite the Guy. --Cooter
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