[thechat] US Elections

[Martin Burns]

On Sun, 10 Nov 2002, Ron White wrote:

> The British never had that kind of dominance EVER. British culture didn't
> influence hardly anyone on the Continent let alone the entire world.

We really didn't think that continental Europe was that important
(although kicking the continental Emperor Napolean's arse in France,
Belgium, Spain and Portugal and generally fending off the Spanish (ie
beating the two dominant powers in Europe) is nothing to be sneezed at).
As far as influence across the rest of the world is concerned, remember
that we controlled the Indian subcontinent, much of the Far East, nearly
all the Pacific and large chunks of Africa. Pretty much the only place we
didn't own either directly as part of empire or indirectly by commerce was
Central & South America.

Europe just didn't have the kind of resources that the rest of the world
did.

Just because you lot threw some tea into the harbour, don't make the
mistake of thinking that everyone else threw off the Imperial reign in the
18th century.

Also remember that in an era of sea-going trade, having a dominant navy
meant that you controlled *everything*.

Cheers
Martin

> Militarily, their navy was dominant, but their army was never much to boast
> about. Economically, only in regards to maritime trade. Technologically,
> definitely in the early 1800's and by launching the 'Dreadnaught', but
> that's about it...

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