Was The British Empire Good Or Bad?

[anotheoldgit]

Just been watching The Big Question on BBC1, today it was about The British Empire.

Judging by the ethnics in the audience it was bad, yet it is queer that although they kicked the big, bad, British out of their country, they have now chosen to live amongst here.

Yes they kicked us out without a mention of the word Racist, yet if we were to do likewise and now kick them out of our country, then that would be Racist.

Interesting to note that typically for the BBC, the ethnics got the highest number of persons slagging off the British, with only about two whites defending us.

[jno]

if Britain helped itself to the wealth of their colonies it seems only fair for people from those colonies to come here and share in it. Perhaps they are doing family history research and want to meet the ancestors of the people who enslaved their own ancestors?

[Svejk]

We were so bad, they decided to live here.
What about that young Indian? defended throwing wives on their husband's funeral pyres by saying, ' They all volunteered, didn't they.'

[anotheoldgit]

jno

/// Perhaps they are doing family history research and want to meet the ancestors of the people who enslaved their own ancestors? ///

Then why didn't they travel to North Africa/ the Middle East or perhaps to other parts of Africa, perhaps their ancestors were Arab Muslims or other African slave dealers?

http://originalpeople.org/the-arab-muslim-slave-trade-of-africans-the-untold-story/

[bazwillrun]

"if we were to do likewise and now kick them out of our country"

if only...

[anotheoldgit]

Yes Svejk what a joke that was, not to the wives I hastily add.

[Gavmacp]

There are a lot of white British people who are not British but in fact European do we throw these people out as well?

[Svejk]

Gavmacp/// There are a lot of white British people who are not British ///

Genius. ;D

[Gavmacp]

I will leave you all to your usual unsavoury ramblings!!

[trt]

Where would India be without their railways?

[trt]

## What about that young Indian? defended throwing wives on their husband's funeral pyres by saying, ' They all volunteered, didn't they.' ##

When was this Svejk?

OAG, Agree 100%

[tamborine]

Rev Rose Wilkin complains only UK history is taught here. How can you teach zulu history where none is written? She goes on of christianity usurping african theology? Does she mean voodoo, juju & witch doctors? She is a christian bishop & female, in itself a rarity.

[tamborine]

Growing rice & tea were crops Brits introduced to India from China.

[ToraToraTora]

good, we civilised the world. Just look at Africa now, many would prefer British rule today.

[bazwillrun]

"She goes on of christianity usurping african theology? Does she mean voodoo, juju & witch doctors? "

so whos fairytales, lies and scamongering stories does she think theyd be better off with, her christian ones or the africans ?

[sandyRoe]

Weren't there opium plantations in Imperial India to supply the market in China for narcotics which was prompted by British interests?

[jim360]

I don't think there are many things in history that are wholly good or wholly bad (there are exceptions, of course). The British Empire just ... was. Regrettable in many various ways, perhaps, but of its time.

[sp1814]

I think jim360 has hit the nail on the head. It's not a binary answer. You can't say that the British Empire was either good or bad. There are too many facets involved.

[jim360]

In AOG's question I'm put in mind of the "1066 and All That" school of history. "Was Henry VIII a Good King?"/ "Is it possible to be a Bad Man but a Good King?"/ "The Norman Conquest was a Good Thing", etc.

[tamborine]

Sandyroe, indians grew narcotics before food ?

[Gromit]

The British Empire was very very good and profitable for the English.

Whether it was good for Indians, or Americans or Africans, I cannot say, you will have to ask them.