Britain and Its Empire Since 1800

Catalog description

This course examines the history of Britain and the British Empire from its great 19th-century expansion into Africa and Asia to its eventual crumbling under the impact of 20th-century independence movements and global war. Students compare the various independence movements, from the relatively peaceful transitions of Canada and Australia to the more violent ones by Ireland, South Africa, and India. The course finishes with an examination of the current racial and cultural conflicts that beset Britain's former colonies, with particular focus upon Ireland and South Africa.