Ten Minute History - The Late British Empire (Short Documentary)

This episode of Ten Minute History (like a documentary, only shorter) covers the growth of the British Empire after the American Revolution all the way to its end with the handover of Hong Kong. The first half deals with the Pax Britannica and British global hegemony through the Sepoy mutiny. The second half deals with the apex of the empire after World War One and its subsequent decline and fall.

Ten Minute History is a series of short, ten minute animated narrative documentaries that are designed as revision refreshers or simple introductions to a topic. Please note that these are not meant to be comprehensive and there's a lot of stuff I couldn't fit into the episodes that I would have liked to. Thank you for watching, though, it's always appreciated.

[BearsThatCare]

"Like Risk, but people died."

My friend, you _clearly_ haven't been playing Risk properly.

[craig]

Ancient warfare: soldiers chase their enemies across the screen with swords
Modern warfare: soldiers chase their enemies halfway across the screen, stop, and shoot

[mariofanish]

The British Empire always felt to me like a thing of centuries past, like the wooden sail ships, single-shot muskets, and coonskin caps. It's a bit of a shock that it really only started dissolving in the 50s.

[cryingcatgoesbark]

British empire in 1800’s: *doom*

British empire in 1950’s: *mood*

[Captain_Yorkie]

British Empire:
We would show the world of our peaceful ways by force.

[wmadd]

"Britain found itself opposed by two anti-imperialist superpowers: the United States and the Soviet Union."


*Good one*

[CaptainphoenixofficialYT]

As a Kenyan, I love your inclusion of our uprising and how it affected Britain's thinking. Most historians would overlook such a minor or insignificant country or only recognize it as the only African colony that fought back.

[ryanford]

The writing is LITERALLY on the wall, oh GOD I love it!

You've got by far the best history channel to ever exist, and that includes history channel in its prime. Thank you for your awesome content, I look forward to your next upload!

[Rushmore]

This production was from the pre James Bissonette era.

[fynnenskat]

Basically the whole video:

So they started a war and Brittain won.

[florians]

Famine: *strike a british colony*
The British: This is fine, gave us your food.

[ahsanimam]

Correction: In 1922, Ireland became a dominion, retaining control over foreign policy as well, as the Irish Free State was dissolved in 1948, becoming the Republic of Ireland.

[AD-hrsg]

Lesson learned: Do not invade Afghanistan. Do not invade Russia.

[ideal]

RIP History Matters from being 1 second away from 10 minutes

[brokoblin]

1:03 I like how the pillars in China just say 'China' (中国) over and over. I can't read Chinese, but it's the same as in Japanese.

[simbachvazo]

“REAR RANK, FIRE! ADVANCE! REAR RANK, FIRE! ADVANCE!” “They’re mocking us!” “No you fool, they’re saluting you! Saluting fellow braves!”
Great movie. Dawn was ok but the first was better.

[guardingdark]

"It's like Risk, except people died"

So...exactly like Risk, then.

[theitaliancommunist]

0:59 things that are banned
-opium
-mongols
-brithis gunships

[aboredperson]

As a Kenyan I feel proud that you included us and even took time to animate Kenyatta! (and not too bad pronunciation for good measure!)

[intergalactichumanempire]

R.I.P. The British Empire
1497-1997
"The Sun has Set"