"How is the Empire?" --George V, on his deathbedFor almost 200 years Britain dominated the world, its naval supremacy enabling it to acquire India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and much of Africa. Although it could not prevent its American colonies from becoming independent, its industrial and commercial power helped it to keep its scattered possessions under control, while a small army was sufficient to put down native rebellions in the absence of the involvement of other European states. A dwindling economy, and the cost of two world wars, saw this once-mighty empire crumble, giving in the process independence to nearly all of its dominions in the years after 1945. Trevor Lloyd has provided a succinct and highly readable account of this extraordinary rise and fall.

Product Description: In the twentieth century England lost an empire, built a welfare state, and began to accept the idea of being part of Europe. Abroad her relative power declined; at home life became more tolerable for the unfortunate and more secure for the majority of the people...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

This is a comprehensive survey of the entire history of the British Empire. Avoiding the polemics or apologetics that were inevitable when the empire was still at the centre of political controversy, this text describes the full sweep of expansion and decolonization from the voyages of discovery in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I to the achievement of independence in the second half of the twentieth century. Drawing out both parallels and differences between paths of development throughout the empire, Professor Lloyd provides an account of a vital period in the history of all the countries that make up the modern Commonwealth. For the second edition, Professor Lloyd has revised the text, updated the bibliography and tables, and added a final chapter - "The World after the Empire" - which examines the important events and issues of today in countries of the former empire, such as South Africa, Canada, Hong Kong and Australia. (view table of contents)

Product Description: In the twentieth century England has lost an empire, built a welfare state, and begun to accept the idea of being part of Europe. Abroad relative power has declined; at home life has become more tolerable for the unfortunate and more secure for the majority of the people...read more