Russians & Americans;

Just forget your empire - life goes on!

I was a youngster in Britain when it thought it still had an Empire. In the school playground we ran around, wings outstretched like Spitfires going rat-tat-tat, and chanting 'We Won the War'. A few years later I sang "Land of Hope & Glory", "Rule Britannia" etc. without embarrassment.

Three things happened.
- The Empire disappeared.
- I got used to that.
- I grew up: Life went on and was good.

Top | New | Old

badminton · 61-69, MVIP

I agree, empires are more trouble than they are worth. Post empire U.K. is one of the best countries to live in.

The U.S. never did empire well. We don't have the psychological mind set to maintain an empire.

The Russian approach to empire was brutal and heavy handed. They are better off without an empire too.

View 5 more replies »

LizOwen · 41-45, F

@Motherwifenurseandnanny I think most nations have either had the pretensions of being imperial or been part of an empire. In a way, the USA is an empire, with the original 13 states occupying the territory of native Americans, Hawaii, Alaska etc.

badminton · 61-69, MVIP

@LizOwen With the original colonies there were treaties with the native peoples. But then in the 19th century the U.S. broke those treaties. It is a shamefully part of American history.

Really · 80-89, M

@badminton Shameful treatment of natives is not unique to the US, or the American continent - and it's not over.

Tastyfrzz · 61-69, M

We live in interesting times.

Add a comment...