After reading this unit in the book, one thing came into my mind, one man's trash is another treasure. When the British discovered North America, they felt like the got the short end of the stick. They were looking at the Spanish and Portuguese and were very envious of the riches they had received from the area that they had discovered. As time went on, the British truly felt nothing special about North America, so they disregarded it as just a place. But due to the schism in the British empire with the Protestants and the Catholics, and other various problems within the empire, they figured they could just send their problems that they had to North America. By trying to just move their problems instead of actually confronting them would end up being the very death of the British Empire about 100 years later.
These very problems that the British had sent away had began to see the vast potential in this land and they felt like that they had received a gift from above. They were able to escape the evil tyrant rule that they were under in Britain that was controlling their religion and beliefs, and they were able to put themselves on top in this new society. As the word spread about how the new colonies were doing, more and more people who were tired of being suppressed of rights began to move to North America and like it says in the book, by 1750, there were more then 5 times the amount of British then Spanish. These very settlers that were sent away years earlier would soon become Britain's most prized jewel and they would of liked to keep it under control for longer and be able to truly use North America's potential to the maximum but they couldn't.
If only Britain had realized what they had in North America at the time, and not send their troubles away to North America, then the British Empire could still be intact. They might still have North America under control and could of used all of its assests to their liking. Also if they had addressed the very people that were mad at the empire in the early 1700s who became the settlers, then maybe they would of not been so mad at Britain and revolted later on. All history that we know would of been changed if Britain had realized the trash they though North America was actually one of the greatest treasures of all time.
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Britain didn't see North America as a Jewel. This is unfortunate, for others saw it as a 100 carrot diamond in the making, and they acted upon this. Britain should not have disregarded North America. If they had realized its true potential, then they would not have given up so easily.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that Great Britain as an empire would have fallen even if they noticed the potential North America had in resources. I also think that if Britain had put more intention into North America, the settlers still would have been frustrated with the strict rule that the British empire had been enforcing. They would have eventually rebelled like they did because the settlers would’ve felt that they shouldn’t be bossed around by people that are 3000 miles away. They would’ve felt the need to be independent and follow their own instinct. Thus, after the settlers rebelled, Great Britain would have lost complete control over North America and would’ve eventually led to the downfall of the British empire despite the fact that Carson believes that they would’ve existed.
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ReplyDeleteMark, Britain didn't give up North America easily.
See: The Revolutionary War...
Britain invested massive amounts of money in creating and maintaining their settlements, and they engaged in a massive war to defend it. This war was not easily won by the revolutionaries; the English spent enormous sums of money to send their army and navy across the Atlantic to retain control over the colonies.
Also, you said 'They would have eventually rebelled like they did because the settlers would’ve felt that they shouldn’t be bossed around by people that are 3000 miles away.' However, there are numerous examples of empires that have established control over territory that is 3,000 miles apart...like the United States. We seem to be able to manage our territory from New York to California without any kind of major internal revolts or loss of control.
Lastly, I'd like to ask Cal if he could explain why he thinks the British Empire fell because they lost control of America. If we take a look at the history of the British Empire, it didn't really fall until the mid to late 20th century (300 years after the Revolutionary War). So I'm curious as to why you think there is a connection between Britain losing control over America, and the eventual fall of their empire.
-Cy