Organizing Democracy: Reflections on the Rise of Political Organizations in the Nineteenth Century, Maartje Janse and Henk te Velde
Journal: Palgrave Macmillan UK eBooks
Year: 2019

The British Empire was the largest and most powerful territorial unit ever created. In every corner of the globe a traveller could find the Union Flag flying above government buildings. However, two world wars and the rise of indigenous nationalist movements throughout imperial territories severely weakened Britain and forced a rapid decolonization effort in the 20-year period after 1945. Britain lost its position as the world's pre-eminent superpower abroad as Scottish nationalism arose at home