By the turn of the century, British statesmen were convinced that
Britain's resources were overstretched and that she needed allies if
she were to maintain her role as a world power.
the Suez and the Cape were regarded as areas of strategic
importance in order to protect the trade routes to India
Political
Well established parliamentary system of government
Aristocracy still played an important role in politics and public
service but they shared power and influence with the middle
class
Much more open and meritocratic
society than in Germany at the same
time
The government had to command the majority in
parliament in order to continue in office. They
therefore took careful note of the views of MPs
Foreign policy reflected British interests in
safeguarding the route to India
Economic
First industrial nation,
which enabled her to
expand her trade
worldwide
Became the greatest imperial
power in the world with colonial
possession scattered across the
world.
Lost her pre-eminence as a manufacturing
nation, being overtaken by the USA and
Germany
Britain relied on imported food and raw materials and
was therefore dependent on the uninterrupted flow of
seaborne trade
The acquisition of coaling
stations and naval bases was a
necessary aspect of commercial
and internal expansion