Also due to Britain’s large amount of territories it also secured Heliogoland in the North Sea and Cape Colony in South Africa, both from the Dutch; Malta and the Ionian Islands in the Mediterranean which, together with Gibraltar ensured virtual British control of the that Sea; and Ceylon was taken under British control to further strengthen the security of the Indian empire and allowing Britain to become even more powerful over Europe and the other European powers, due to its continual widespread and growth over Europe, America, Asia and India
There were many other elements that allowed Britain to become as powerful as it did, and allow it to be feared over Europe from its enemies. The British currency in the Economy was the highest foreign value in trade, as the British pound was almost twice as high valued to its nearest competitor and Britain in addition to this had the highest percentage of world manufacturing output over the world. This helped Britain establish greater power in trade and economy and greatly benefit from it. Also from the Indian Empire, Great Britain gained a lot trade, as India was the main country situated in trade, allowing Britain to have that power over other countries as they went through the British trade, and their currency wasn’t as highly valued as that of Britain leaving them lower in power and status as they could not match the economy value of Great Britain.
Also Britain could not be attacked directly successfully unless an opponent first obtained command of the seas. This was a benefit to Britain and made them stronger, as Britain had the strongest navy in the whole of Europe and had the highest number of battle ships in its first line of defence up to twice as more battleships than its next rival. These added to Britain’s power due to where they were situated and were they had their empires. As their empires were widely spread out Britain could easily attack an opponent from all sides of the globe and easily override the pressure from their opponents. Leaving more able Battle ships and allowing them to easily overtake opponents and making them more powerful over Europe, as no-single empire had any chance of winning against Britain as they were very intelligent political and tactical and had a large amount of firearms to use when in battle.
Great Britain also at this time in relation to the other main powers was always positioned at the top. During production of Coal, Steel and Pig-Iron Britain was the largest production developer over these powers. As these three materials were widely and continually used, this helped Britain control the trading market to a greater expense, as they produced such a large amount of these materials and could therefore receive more income from trade with these materials. Also due to the fact the British Empire was one of the biggest, these materials would have been smartly used in all countries that Britain owned, significantly enforcing the artillery and technology over these countries. This helped keep Britain ahead and more powerful as they were always a step ahead. Through Britain’s amount of these materials there technology was often ahead, allowing them to hold greater value and effect over the rest of Europe, also with the alliance with Japan in the late 1890’s. Japan was increasingly improving its technology, and through its alliance with Britain; Britain used this to help them succeed in Europe. As Great Britain had the best technology around, they were more useful in battles and communication and that made them increasingly powerful as they were the first to achieve these great things in technology.
One important factor that helped Great Britain become as powerful as it initially did was its allies France and Russia had formed the Triple Entente. This was in reaction to the triple alliance and to keep Germany at bay, as they now had formed an alliance with Austria- Hungary. Britain now with its alliance had significant stature over the world as well as protection and colonies. If a war broke out, Britain was successfully backed by two powerful empires and allowed Britain to increase its value and chances of success over its opponents. With this Britain was now a powerful unbreakable force, with two strong alliances.
Great Britain was often seen as a greater, more powerful force compared to the other European countries as it, it used itself and system wittily, as Britain wasn’t recorded to have the most men in its army, making its military somewhat of a joke. However Britain used this to its advantage, as they were tactfully better, they could afford to have less men in the army, as they used themselves in a valuable manner, and allowed them to invest in other means of attacking, by enforcing more men in the navy. Britain had more than one method of successfully attacking other European countries. Also due to the fact Britain had control of the main rivers, it was ideal to have more men in the navy as it was easier and quicker for them to travel and battle its opponent and use itself in a more productive approach.
The other significant thing that ideally helped Britain become dominant was its diplomatic system and its unity within itself. Britain had successfully its own party system and parliament that was effective in and out of Britain.
Britain had an effective government that help unify the country and allow it to excel. The government had helped health and safety in Britain, allowed the country to be run productively so it suited and helped its citizens and given education to all. This helped Britain as it was now complete in a system that worked and operated without little defect. This was better than that of the Italian government, as there were big divisions between the country and it was not effectively powerful as a result of this and could not compare to the rising stability of a certified system that Great Britain had enforced.
The structure of politics during the 1900’s changed, for better and for worse in some scenarios; the likely social composition of new voters had allowed a more united nation to have its say on the country. In voting terms England now had a three way party system which, without proportional representation, led to the gradual elimination of the weakest party, the liberals. This new party system was firmer and more successful in making Britain as powerful as it did during the 1900’s due, to its foreign policies, and foreign secretaries and balance of intellect and influence over Europe through its politics.
Conclusion:
Britain during the 1900’s was respectfully immensely powerful; from 1890 onwards Britain’s power had increased greatly, due to its large empire, which helped it with wars and communication over countries. To the military and navy as Great Britain had the biggest navy around and with its triple Entente, its forces were greater and stronger. However Britain was powerful to a certain degree, as Britain itself was a lonely island and if over-throne was would become ineffective and crumble, as it nearly did. Due to its intelligence and economy as well as it’s widespread in many areas. Britain became placed in a successful position that allowed it great importance over the other European powers and was significant powerful dues to many factors that Britain had excelled.
