The British Empire

From the eighteenth century until the 1950s the British Empire was the biggest political entity in the world. The territories forming this empire ranged from tiny islands to vast segments of the world's major continental land masses. The British Empire left its mark on the world in a multitude of ways, many of them permanent. In this Very Short Introduction, Ashley Jackson introduces and defines the British Empire, reviewing its historiography by answering a series of key questions: What was the British Empire, and what were its main constituent parts? What were the phases of imperial expansion and contraction and the general causes of expansion and contraction? How was the Empire ruled? What were its economic effects? What were the cultural implications of empire, in Britain and its colonies? What was life like for people living under imperial rule? What are the legacies of the British Empire and how should we view its place in world history? ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Product details

• Authors: Ashley Jackson, Ashley (Professor of Imperial and Military History at King's College Jackson, Jackson Ashley
• Publisher: Oxford University Press Trade
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 30.05.2013
• EAN: 9780199605415
• ISBN: 978-0-19-960541-5
• Dimensions: 112 mm x 173 mm x 8 mm
• Series: Very Short Introductions; A VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION; A Very Short Introductions; A VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION; Very Short Introductions; A Very Short Introductions; Very Short Introduction
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book; Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900, European History, British Empire, HISTORY / Europe / General, 20th Century, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, c 1800 to c 1900, 19th century, c 1800 to c 1899, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, 18th century, c 1700 to c 1799, British & Irish history, C 1700 To C 1800