Immigration

Strange thing, immigration.
Most of the countries in the world have been affected by immigration at one time or other. Some have even been founded and developed by immigrants.
They can be seen as a positive or a negative factor.
My own nation - England - was named after the Anglo-Saxon immigrants on the 5th and 6th century, who replaced the native British after decades, perhaps centuries of warfare. we even thought of racist names to call the original natives. We called them Welsh - foreigners - although we were the foreign invaders.
How arrogant is that?

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VirginMatchmaker · 46-50, M

Very but unless you're arrogant you don't have an Empire.

LizOwen · 41-45, F

@VirginMatchmaker Absolutely correct. Again, many nations have had an Empire; they come and rise and fall, until the next one comes along. England had a couple and then, after the creation of Great Britain, it was one of the nations who built up the British Empire - gone now. Looks like it's China's turn now (again.)

VirginMatchmaker · 46-50, M

@LizOwen it's China's turn again like you say. But one day it'll likely be the UK's again too. I guess it depends if CANZUK ever gets off the ground.

LizOwen · 41-45, F

@VirginMatchmaker I think we've had our day. We over extended and were found out. We don't have the resources, the manpower or the will to be a global power - and I can't see us trying to be imperial again.

VirginMatchmaker · 46-50, M

@LizOwen oh some people have the will, it's just there's too many people who think it was all bad. People want to wipe out British history just because it's supposedly offensive. Just because people are offended it doesn't mean they're right.

LizOwen · 41-45, F

@VirginMatchmaker The British Empire was probably a little better than most Empires (with the possible exception of early Persia)
It did end the Atlantic slave trade and have anti slavery patrols at sea until the 1880s and on land until the 1930s. It was the first Empire to banish slavery. It had anti piracy patrols until the 1920s at least. It developed infrastructure in its colonies, ended Suttee and Thugee in India, introduced schools, orphanages, hospitals and industry when it could (the latter was for selfish reasons) and created some sort of justice system within its boundaries.
Yet it also grabbed other people's lands, imposed a different religion in places, imposed alien rule and could be savagely repressive.