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Empire: How Britain Made the Modern World

Empire for Sale (Season 1, Episode 6)
TV Episode | Documentary
The fall of the British empire is usually attributed to Nationalist groups fighting for independence, yet as Niall Ferguson argues in this final program of the series, it was really due to the crippling cost of running the empire and ...See moreThe fall of the British empire is usually attributed to Nationalist groups fighting for independence, yet as Niall Ferguson argues in this final program of the series, it was really due to the crippling cost of running the empire and financing the two World Wars. He reflects on the achievements and problems of the empire and concludes that in its twilight years Britain did more good than harm in fighting two far worse empires, namely Japan and Germany. Visiting some of the hot spots of the two World Wars and of the campaigns for independence that followed, such as Gallipoli, Istanbul, Suez, Amritsar and Singapore, presenter Niall Ferguson gives us a vivid picture of an empire on its last legs. The British empire took 300 years to build and less than three decades to dismantle, leaving just a few scattered islands in its charge. Niall summarizes the legacy of the empire in terms of the English language, a free market economy and parliamentary democracy across most of the world, yet doesn't hesitate in reminding us of the horror of the empire for millions of people. In conclusion, Niall claims that America now controls an empire, not by owning colonies but by virtue of the spread of its brands, culture, economy, faith and ideals across the globe. See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Russell Barnes
Writer
Niall Ferguson (written by)
Producer
Russell Barnes
Composer
Jack Ketch
Editor
Matt Platts-Mills
See all filmmakers & crew (22)
Status
Edit Released
Updated Feb 13, 2003
Release date
Feb 13, 2003 (United Kingdom)

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2 cast members
Name Known for
Niall Ferguson's primary photo
Niall Ferguson
Self - Presenter Self - Presenter   See fewer
The Ascent of Money (2008)
John Sessions's primary photo
John Sessions
Readings (voice) Readings (voice)   See fewer
The Good Shepherd (2006)
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