All about history book of british rs 148

British Royals

The
World's
Greatest
Empire

How much of the
world Britannia
ruled by 1901

Egypt
Finding itself in an economic
rut, Egypt sold half its stake in
the Suez Canal to Britain. This
prompted an eventual revolt and
launched the 1882 Anglo-Egyptian
War. Britain won and took the
country under its control. Egypt
provided a vital trade route
between Britain and India, cutting
out the long and dangerous
journey around Africa.

Canada

5

things you
probably didn’t
know about

Benjamin Disraeli

1

Born to Italian-Jewish
parents, Disraeli was the first
British prime minister with a
Jewish heritage, though he
was baptised as a Christian.

2

Disraeli pursued many early
business ventures that failed,
leaving him in crippling
debt, leading to a nervous
breakdown from which it
took him years to recover.

3

He was mocked in Parliament
when he made his maiden
speech. Later he proclaimed
that “the time will come when
you will hear me.”

4

Disraeli was a notorious

flatterer and when asked by
a colleague how to deal with
Queen Victoria, he replied:
“First of all, remember she is
a woman.”

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148

He introduced much
legislation that benefited
the poor, such as the 1877
Artisans Dwelling Act that
provided housing, as well
as the Public Health Act the
same year.

England captured Canada from
France after the Seven Years’ War
in 1763, also known as the French
and Indian War. As well as adding
a massive landmass to the British
Empire’s bragging rights, Canada
was a resource-rich country
with a small population. Canada
provided ample trade of timber,
ores and furs.

South Africa
The British gained control of

the Cape of Good Hope in the
early-19th century and set up
a colony. When South African
Dutch settlers felt their
territory was at risk, the two
powers engaged in a series
of military clashes known as
the Boer Wars, leading the
Boers to submit to British rule.
Serving as a stopping station on
the way to India, Southern Africa
was also rich in gold and diamonds.

“The loss of the love of her life changed
not only herself as a person, but the fate
of her empire”
machines sounded across the country – the age
of steam had arrived. The Industrial Revolution
changed Britain from a quaint maritime nation on
the edge of Europe into a manufacturing colossus.
Railways and steamships brought the British
overseas territory closer to the mother country,
opening up opportunities for trade and commerce
that were previously unfathomable.

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It was Albert, Victoria’s beloved husband, who
opened her and Britain’s eyes to the ideas that went
on to shape her empire. Fascinated by mechanisms

and inventions, Albert organised The Great
Exhibition at the Crystal Palace – a temple to the
ingenuity of the rapidly developing modern world.
Inventions from around the world were displayed,
but this was Britain’s show, first and foremost. The

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