Two articles recently written by Tristram Hunt and Robert Sibley discussed the subject of the falling of empires and, more specifically, how Rome and the British Empire are more similar than previously thought. Mr. Hunt presents the idea that empires survive in cycles. Both empires came to power quickly and by force; Rome in constant war and Britain in imperialism. They remained in power and control for almost the same amount of time; Rome lasted for about four centuries while Britain lasted for three and an half. Both empires suffered a quick demise because neither saw the dangers surrounding them. From this point, in theory, the state or nation that has won the battle now uses the newly gained wealth, land and population to build a new empire if possible and the cycle starts all over again.
This theory is interesting because it would mean that in this time period a new nation would have to be starting the upward cycle towards empire. Mr. Sibley believes that this nation is the United States. The U.S. has just begun its imperialism phase with the war in Iraq. Mr. Sibley believes there is a distinct difference between the U.S. and Britain that will cause the Empire’s success to reign for even longer than Rome. This is the fact that the U.S. has good intentions and the nation wants to bring its allies to the top with it. The U.S. does not want to conquer Iraq like Britain did to countries such as India and South Africa but instead wants to institute democracy and help economic situations. Once this occurs the U.S. will leave the country on its own to, so to speak, “spread the word” on democracy. Sibley believes that a new empire, called the Anglosphere, will bring together all the English speaking nations, such as Britain, New Zealand, Australia, and even Canada. From this point, it will be possible to save all the oppressed countries around the world.
According to Hunt’s theory, this super empire cannot last forever and, even if it carries with it good intentions, will at some point self-destruct. No one can be positive that the U.S. will ever make it that far. There is always the possibility that an upcoming nation such as China will knock the U.S. back to its designated place.
In a third article, Tryst Williams shows how the fall of an empire can continue to cause strife even after the country is put back together. A new controversy is started when Ofsted starts inspecting the Wales curriculum and realizes that close to nothing is being taught about the British Empire. When teachers were asked why the curriculum did not include such and extensive and important part of the country’s history, one replied that she just didn’t find it important. There was also the feeling of resentment toward imperialism and its bloodshed that made teachers feel that teaching this portion of history was unnecessary.
In reality, all history is important. If the teachers felt that the British Empire was cruel, then that is what they should have been teaching. Professor Christopher Williams made an excellent point when he said that even schools in Germany learn about the Nazi period. It should be pointed out that the U.S. still learns about slavery when it was the last to abolish it, which at this point, is definitely not a subject of pride.
Whether or not Wales feels is was affected by the rise and fall of the British Empire, should not even be a subject of debate. The whole world was affected and that is why the whole world should have to learn about it.