Britain's Empire in 1815

Page 1 of 6

• 1. A fragile peace
• 2. North America
• 3. Eastern empire
• 4. The Caribbean
• 5. A new empire
• 6. Find out more
• Print entire article

A fragile peace

For Britain, the defeat of Napoleon after 20 years of war and peace at Vienna in 1815 ended the latest stage of a prolonged global conflict. This had continued at intervals ever since the 1740s, and even in 1815 there remained fears that war would break out afresh.

Throughout the struggles European rivalries and worldwide imperial competition had been inseparably connected. Dominant at last among Europe's Great Powers, Britain was also firmly established by 1815 with France, Russia, Ottoman Turkey and China as one of the world's great imperial powers.

Domestic difficulties notwithstanding, her commercial and financial strength had sustained the European military alliances necessary to restore continental peace, and since her victory over the French fleet at Trafalgar in 1805 her navy had secured her global supremacy at sea.

This position was nevertheless still somewhat fragile. The home islands had only recently been consolidated by an Act of Union with Ireland in 1801, and culturally England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland remained very distinct. Beyond the 'British Isles', Britain's empire consisted of three very disparate elements.

Next 

Published: 2001-06-01