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 things you probably didn’t know about Benjamin Disraeli Born to Italian-Jewish parents, Disraeli was the first British prime minister with a Jewish heritage, though he was baptised as a Christian 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 He was mocked in Parliament when he made his maiden speech Later he proclaimed that “the time will come when you will hear me.” 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.” 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 vk.com/englishlibrary 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 vk.com/bastau