Did You Know.....?

[ToraToraTora]

The British Empire is by far the largest in history? at least 60% larger than the next largest, the Mongol Empire. At one time covering approx 27% of the world. OK 5C, you're up.....

[jno]

define "is"

[Paigntonian]

is? Idiot.

[ToraToraTora]

Did you read the first sentence fully jno?

[ToraToraTora]

"The British Empire is by far the largest in history?" - pretty clear to English speakers.

[jno]

that is exactly what I read, TTT. Does it still include Hay on Wye, Gibraltar and Rockall?

[Buenchico]

>>> pretty clear to English speakers

Except those who understand the difference between 'is' and 'was', maybe?

[itchycopark]

this should be in Chatterbank it aint news TTT

[ToraToraTora]

"Except those who understand the difference between 'is' and 'was', maybe? " - oh dear, there's another one, when we refer to History, "IS" is commonly used.

[ToraToraTora]

well Gulliver started these comparisons so I thought I'd do some of my own.

[Mozz71]

Great, we're the biggest bunch of world conquerors in History. Is this something we should be proud of?

[ToraToraTora]

yes, I think so, imagine if we administered that now, they'd not be killing themselves in the Channel to get to British administered land, they'd already have it at home.

[Mozz71]

Oh right, keep Johnny Foreigner in line by force and oppression? Vlad Putin could probably do with a strategist like you Tora.

[ToraToraTora]

who said anything about force and oppression? They are risking their lives to get it these days. Can't have been all bad.

[ToraToraTora]

we didn't keep them "in line", we introduced order and infrastructure, systems for a better life. The world craves that now, have you seen Calais? The British fixed that problem in the 19th century by making their countries a place they wanted to live in. Ask the people of Rhodesia what they prefer.

[sandra4444]

We should have a "did you know" in the categories. But it puzzles me why this is not in the History section?

[Mozz71]

And you ask the people of India which they preferred.

How do you think the Empire was formed if not by force and oppression? Kind words and a persuasive sales pitch?

[jno]

we introduced order and infrastructure, systems for a better life

lol, like the "infrastructure" for working sugar plantations in the Caribbean and cotton fields in the southern states of America. Very orderly!

[ToraToraTora]

I expect you 5C types to cherry pick the bad stuff but overall we did a lot of good in the world. Plenty of Countrys keep the Union flag as part of theirs you know, even today. Why is Calais full of people from the Sheet holes of the world trying to get here then?

[Mozz71]

And I expect the most idiotic right wingers to ignore the bad stuff. I ask again how you think the British Empire (or any other Empire for that matter) was founded if it wasn't by force?

[tiggerblue10]

Yes, I knew it was the largest empire spanning across the globe.

Also, did you know.......that the Industrial Revolution began in Britain.