Will we go the way of the british empire

Discussion in 'Free Speech Alley' started by Rwilliams, Feb 27, 2011.

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  1. kluke

    kluke Founding Member

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    It's not a small point that England was always smaller, population wise, than many of its colonies. They depended on armies with British officers and large numbers of non British soldiers. The US depends on armies of our own people that are vastly superior in ability to anyone we have to fight. The combination of technology and numbers makes our military light years ahead of any othe organized army. This could not be said of Britain at its zenith; except for its navy.
     
    kluke, Mar 5, 2011
    #31
  2. kluke

    kluke Founding Member

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    It was a little more complicated than just ecomonic reasons. The period between when we got our indipendance and India got theirs covers over 150 years and a lot of history beyond just econonics.
     
    kluke, Mar 5, 2011
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  3. red55

    red55 curmudgeon Staff Member

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    There really were no superpowers at all before WWII created the modern US and USSR. The British were once a global imperial power, but that is something very different. They had a huge navy and were quick to exploit undeveloped countries all over the globe. The were a Great Power, but they were never capable of conquering or holding a continent, as a Superpower is expected to do. Napoleonic France, Imperial Germany, and Imperial Russia always kept Imperial Britain militarily checked in Europe. In time Britain was unable to even maintain its overseas colonies due to conflicts with the rival European Great powers.
     
    red55, Mar 6, 2011
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  4. kluke

    kluke Founding Member

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    I think this is well stated, although I may word the definition of Superpower a bit diffferently. The combination of naval superiority and being an island nation was a huge advantage for England. Which is not that much different from the one we now enjoy and we must always make sure we keep that advantage.
     
    kluke, Mar 6, 2011
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  5. red55

    red55 curmudgeon Staff Member

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    There is a special on CCN tonight about Returning America to #1. It may be good from the previews I saw on GPS this morning.
     
    red55, Mar 6, 2011
    #35
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