Question 8 of 22beginner💡 UnderstandShort Answer3 marks

What is meant by 'the sun never sets on the British Empire'? Do you think this was a correct statement?

Correct Answer

The phrase 'the sun never sets on the British Empire' meant that the British Empire was so vast, spanning territories across the globe, that at any given moment, the sun was shining on some part of it.

Since the empire included colonies in every continent and across all time zones, there was always daylight somewhere in British territories.

This statement was factually correct during the height of British imperial power in the 19th and early 20th centuries, when Britain controlled territories including India, large parts of Africa, North America, the Caribbean, Australia, and numerous islands across all oceans.

However, the statement was a boast about imperial power that ignored the reality that this empire was built through conquest, exploitation, and the suffering of colonized peoples.

The empire eventually collapsed after World War II when most colonized countries attained independence.

Exercise: THINK ABOUT IT | Q: 11 | (Page Page 22)
For More Understanding

Explanation

The chapter mentions this phrase in the section 'EARLY RESISTANCE MOVEMENTS': 'India was such an enormous source of wealth, natural and human resources for the British that they nicknamed her 'the jewel in the crown of the British Empire.' And they asserted that India would forever remain part of the British Empire, 'on which the sun never sets.'' The chapter also notes in 'THE AGE OF COLONIALISM' that 'European powers — in particular, Spain, Portugal, Britain, France, and Netherlands — established colonies across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Australia and many Pacific islands.' The decline of colonialism is mentioned: 'The phenomenon of colonialism declined in the mid-20th century, especially after World War II; many factors contributed to rapid worldwide decolonisation, with most colonised countries attaining independence.'

Solution Steps

  1. The phrase meant the British Empire was so vast that the sun was always shining on some part of it

  2. The empire spanned all continents and time zones, ensuring constant daylight somewhere

  3. The statement was factually correct during the 19th and early 20th centuries at the height of British power

  4. Britain controlled India, Africa, North America, Caribbean, Australia, and numerous islands

  5. The statement ignored that the empire was built through conquest, exploitation, and suffering of colonized peoples

  6. The empire collapsed after World War II when colonies gained independence

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