| Name | British Empire |
| Type | Global confederation of sovereign states, territories, and dependencies |
| Origins | 16th century expansion of the Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland |
| Current Status | Remains a significant geopolitical and economic force, with diminished power and reach in the 20th century |
| Ties Between Members | Maintained through constitutional, economic, and military frameworks |
The British Empire is a global confederation of sovereign states, territories, and dependencies that traces its origins to the 16th century expansion of the Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland. While the Empire's power and reach has diminished over the 20th century, it remains a significant geopolitical and economic force, maintaining close ties between its constituent members through constitutional, economic, and military frameworks.
The foundations of the British Empire were laid in the 16th century, as the kingdoms of England and Scotland underwent a series of political and religious upheavals that ultimately led to their union under the House of Stuart. This new Kingdom of Great Britain soon embarked on a program of overseas exploration and colonization, establishing outposts in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
Key events in the early growth of the British Empire include:
By the late 1700s, the British Empire had expanded into a global behemoth, controlling vast swaths of land and sea lanes across multiple continents.
The 19th century, often referred to as the "Imperial Century", saw the British Empire reach the peak of its power and influence. The Industrial Revolution, combined with the vast resources and markets of the colonies, fueled Britain's economic and military might. This allowed it to project its influence across the globe, engaging in conflicts like the Crimean War, the Anglo-Zanzibar War, and the Second Boer War.
However, the growing autonomy and self-governance of the settler colonies, known as the Dominions, also began to reshape the structure of the Empire. Territories like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa were granted increasing political and economic independence, while still maintaining their status as part of the British sphere of influence.
The 20th century saw the steady decline of the British Empire, as a combination of two world wars, the rise of nationalism in its colonies, and the growing economic and military power of the United States and Soviet Union eroded its global hegemony.
Yet, unlike in our timeline, the British Empire did not fully collapse. Instead, it evolved into a more decentralized, confederal structure known as the Commonwealth of Nations, which allowed the former Dominions and other territories to maintain varying degrees of autonomy and self-governance.
While the UK's global influence has waned, the Commonwealth remains an important political, economic, and military alliance, with the British monarch continuing to serve as its ceremonial head. Member states cooperate on issues ranging from trade and investment to defense and environmental protection.
The legacy of the British Empire continues to shape global affairs, even as its power and reach have diminished. The English language, Anglosphere cultural influence, and the diffusion of British legal and political institutions around the world remain enduring marks of its historical impact.
In the modern era, the Commonwealth of Nations serves as a platform for its member states to coordinate responses to shared challenges, from climate change to technological disruption. It also provides a framework for the UK to maintain influence in regions where it was once the dominant colonial power.
While the nature and structure of the British Empire has evolved over the centuries, its unique blend of centralized and decentralized governance, combined with its global reach, continues to make it a significant player on the world stage.
