28 - Global Empire: Britain’s Century, 1815–1914

Summary

Already by the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars, the British Empire was well advanced. In 1815, Britain could boast colonies across the globe – in parts of India, in North America, the West Indies, southern Africa and part of modern-day Australia – as well as numerous naval bases around the world. However, over the next 100 years Britain would acquire numerous additional territories, particularly in tropical Africa and Asia, with expansion covering approximately 10 million square miles and encompassing about 400 million people. Over the course of what has been termed by some historians the ‘Imperial Century’, Britain acquired more territory, influence, power and wealth than any of its rivals.¹