WK2Disc-HIST 2005 - Week 2 Discussion Hist-2005-2, World...

Week 2 Discussion
Hist-2005-2, World History: 1900-1945
At the start of the century Great Britain had all the ingredients to be the super power of
the new world. "The British people enjoyed the benefits of a highly industrialized
economy fed by raw materials shipped in from a huge colonial empire", (Chapter 3
Pg.32). With an empire that spread all over the world including Australia and New
Zealand, they could have made an advance towards Germany and expanded their
agricultural resources, thus changing the future that we know, who knows where
Britain would be if this scenario would have played out.
Great Britain was able to achieve stability in the political system, their democratic like
system of a Parliament, Elected Officials, and a House of Lords was able to give them a
sturdy capitalist system and allow merchants and tradesmen to invest in foreign
pursuits.
Britain was also able to keep itself together and avoid civil wars which would ruin
other countries and being an island added to the advantage over other countries. The
borders between, for example France and Germany, were moving all the time whereas

once England had consolidated its position on the mainland it could expand where ever
it wanted. Being an island nation also meant it had to become a maritime nation and for
a time ruled the seas as the British song was sang, "Rule Britannia! Britannia rules the
waves," (Chapter 3,pg 35).
It’s down side was the separation between the needs of the people and the wants of
the leaders. "White chalk and alum and plaster are sold to the poor for bread." Workers
lived in small, dark and unheated houses. (Chapter 3,pg 34). From the hardships of the
lower class worker came protest for better working and living conditions, as well as
women's rights. "Labour politicians and their political friends in Parliament created
legislation that limited monopolies, assisted the unemployed, and improved working
conditions."(Chapter 3, Pg.35)
References:
Goff, R., Moss, W., Terry, J., Upshur, J., & Schroeder, M. (2008). The Twentieth Century
and Beyond: A Global History (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill