Britain’s imperial century

Some historians refer to 1815 – 1914 as Britain’s ‘imperial century’. During this period there was an unprecedented expansion of formal empire: rather than securing authority and influence through cultural, commercial and diplomatic means, there was increasing resort to the direct rule of colonies. It was the century which lay the foundations for the world we know today.

In this video Andrew Thompson uncovers the expansion of formal empire in Indian and Africa through the 19th century. He explores two key milestones; the Indian ‘Mutiny’ (or Sepoy Rebellion) in 1857 and the second Boer War (or Second War of Independence), fought from 1899 – 1902 between the British and the Afrikaners (Boers) led by President Paul Kruger. Andrew reflects on how these events influenced the British imperial psyche.