SE3
FINAL GROUP PAPER
论文题目：近代英国的兴衰史
（ 英 文 ） ： the Rise and The Decline of Modern Britain
作
者：
指导教师：
12111416 吴梓宁 12111546 陆槿萱 12110421 谭宜达
12110419 郑中航 12110824 雍志涛
Anthony Michael Rendon（安东尼）
2022 年
12 月
1
5日
南方科技大学
SE3: Final Group Paper
（中文题目）
近代英国的兴衰史
（英文题目）
the Rise and The Decline of Modern Britain
作者学号：
12111416 12111546 12110421
12110419 12110824
作者姓名：
吴梓宁 陆槿萱 谭宜达 郑中航 雍志涛
所在学院：
Center for language Education
班级：
导师姓名：
论文主题词：
（3—5 个）
12
Anthony Michael Rendon（安东尼）
英国；崛起；衰落；工业精神
2
摘要
英国是一个在欧洲地图上处于边缘地带的岛国，1500 年后却异军突起，成为对世
界历史的发展具有举足轻重的国家。但好景不长，1945 年后它慢慢退出了世界历史的中
心位置。这种大起大落的历史轨迹成为众多学者关注和研究的对象。英国崛起的原因固然
很多，比如天时地利等，但最关键的因素依然是英国在崛起过程中的工业精神。而其衰落
的因素虽不胜枚举，“一战”和“二战”都是十分明显的标志性事件，但其根本因素依旧
还是英国丧失了其崛起过程中的那种工业精神。因为这种工业精神最本质的东西就是强调
诚实劳动与创新活动的价值。任何一个社会，只要这种性质的东西得不到尊重，甚至遭到
鄙视，那么，这个国家就走上了不归路。或许，这就是英国兴衰历史给我们的启示。
关键字：英国；崛起；衰落；工业精神
3
Abstract
Britain is an island country on the edge of the Europe map, but after the year of 1500, it
rose to prominence and became a country of great importance to the development of world
history. But it didn't last long. After 1945, it slowly retreated from the center of world history.
This historical track of ups and downs has become the object of many scholars' attention and
research. Of course, there are many reasons for Britain's rise, such as the right place at the right
time, but the most crucial factor is still the industrial spirit in the process of Britain's rise.
Although the first and second world wars were obvious landmarks of its decline, the underlying
cause was the loss of the industrial spirit with which Britain had risen. Because the essence of
this industrial spirit is to emphasize the value of honest labor and innovative activities. Any
society where something of this nature is not respected, even despised, is on the point of no
return. Perhaps this is the lesson of Britain's rise and fall.
Key Words:
Britain，rise，fall，industrial spirit
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Table of Contents
ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................................................4
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................................6
METHODOLOGY ...................................................................................................................................................7
01: THE PREREQUISITES FOR THE RISE ..........................................................................................................8
1.1FAVORABLE GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION ................................................................................................................8
1.2 HUMAN CONDITIONS ...........................................................................................................................................8
02: THE PROCESS OF RISING ............................................................................................................................. 10
2.1 COLONIALS EXPANSION ..................................................................................................................................... 10
2.2 INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION ................................................................................................................................. 12
03: SNAKES IN THE GRASS AND DECLINE ..................................................................................................... 14
3.1 THE DECLINE OF THE EMPIRE ............................................................................................................................ 14
3.2 THE ‘FRACEFUL’ DECLINE ......................................................................................................................... 16
CONCLUSION .......................................................................................................................................................... 19
REFERENCE LIST .................................................................................................................................................. 21
Table of Figures
Figure 1: The British Parliament, oil painting, 1689 .................................................................................................. 10
Figure 2: Opening up of new navigation roads, oil painting, 1400s ........................................................................... 12
Figure 3: Factories in the British Industrial Revolution, sketch, 1760s ...................................................................... 14
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INTRODUCTION
Britain is a small island country with a history of thousands of years, but it has never been
at the center of European civilization. However, it was just such a marginal country in Europe
that grew into a major and powerful country in the world within a few hundred years. The
contrasting rise and fall in the 20th century is bound to fascinate people. What's more，in the
new world power, the United States, which even in recent years is considered by many to be in a
state of decline. At the same time, the alliance of English-speaking countries and so on still
constitute a special force in today's world. The study of Britain's rise and fall seems all the more
relevant for a number of subtle factors. Therefore, our group chose this topic and finished the
article.
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METHODOLOGY
We will use Case Study to research our essay. And here is why we use Case Study.
First, Case Study are problem-solving oriented. The meaning of it exist is to solve problem.
So, the Case Study can help us to clear up the events in history.
Second, Case Study have its own system. Case Study must have a relatively perfect
theoretical knowledge system within a certain range and must be logically self-consistent.
History is made up of many different events. When we research these events one by one, we are
like to joint the puzzle of history piece by piece. And that is exactly what case study do:
“Research answers questions from events that actually happened to a specific person or group of
people about a specific point in time.”
Third, Case Study studies methods, techniques, and tools. From the time we encounter a
problem to the final solution, we must go through a process, so Case Study is this intermediate
process. It significance lies in the fact that it is oriented towards practical problem solving and
has a complete knowledge system from which we can produce concrete action methods when we
encounter specific problems. The one of possible flow is:” Step1: find the truth problem; Step2:
establish the hypothesis for the solution; Step3: test the hypothesis; Step4: obtain the result. So
that the truth problem is why the England rise and fall? And we will make several hypothesis
like war or trade. Then we will search data and find whether it is the reason cause England rise
and fall. Finally, we will have our results.
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01: the Prerequisites for the Rise
1.1Favorable Geographical Position
First is about its location advantage. Thanks to the English Channel, the British Isles are a
geographically unique region that can be influenced by the progress of European civilization
without being under the direct control of continental powers at any time. This advantageous
geographical position provided a unique foundation for Britain's development. According to
Modelsky, a country that can become a leader for a long time must have the following four
conditions: first, a favorable geographical location, perhaps a sea island state that can stand apart
from overseas. Second, an cohesive, open and united society. Third, a leading economy. Fourth,
it has the ability to organize political strategies that can be launched globally.1
From this point of view, Britain is clearly in the best position. It can easily control the
British Isles and use them as a base from which to conduct its own world policy. Faced with the
tussle of European countries, Britain can skillfully make itself out of the conflict and fully obtain
the dividends of European competition. However, before the Middle Ages, Britain's geographical
position did not have any advantages, and it has always been the old and the poor in Europe.
However, with the favor of The Times -- the opening of new waterways, it became the
navigation center overnight. It is this kind of time that gradually highlighted Britain's
geographical advantages.
1.2 Human Conditions
But even when the right place exists, whether it can seize the opportunity depends on its own
conditions. One of Britain's inherent advantages, then, slowly emerged: it was the first to
construct the modern nation state.
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The reason why Britain was able to take the lead in building a modern state machine in
modern times is related to its tradition of limited government. The rise of modern Britain was
dominated by the underlying economic and social factors: British society had reached a new
stage and it needed a modern state. The sovereignty of a modern state needs to be transferred
from the hands of a king or monarch to an elected body. In 17th century England, the realization
of the constitutional monarchy was just such a condition. From a historical point of view, this
kind of parliament dominated the legislative power of the state, is a completely new state, not a
history of any dynastic state reprint. This country was essentially the world's first financial and
military imperial machine.2
In addition, compared with domestic trade, international trade has a long journey and a
long time. And the risks of international trade are much higher than those of domestic trade,
because merchants do not know what is going on with consumers, markets and governments in
distant countries, and cannot counter each other's market protections or avoid disaster and
political instability.4 In this sense, the merchant of international trade needs the state more than
anyone else, and investing in the nation state, like in any other business, is one of the most
profitable ventures. Therefore, as the floodgates to modernity opened, investment in the nation
state became the basis of Britain's development. The handsome return on this investment was to
make Britain the first industrialized nation in the world. Trade has produced two daughters, and
these two daughters, in the words of the artist, have employed all mankind. They are
manufacturing and sailing.3
Therefore, as the floodgates to modernity opened, investment in the nation state became the
basis of Britain's development. The handsome return on this investment was to make Britain the
first industrialized nation in the world and maintain its global supremacy for nearly 200 years.
9
Figure 1: The British Parliament, oil painting, 1689
02: the Process of Rising
2.1 Colonials Expansion
The new type of country that Britain made actually is Financial military machine and this
machine would control their capital to the way it increase. In the first period of Capitalist
development, industry capital gain more and more market colonist improve the new
manufacturing through the world market, and accelerate the accumulation of capital.
From this point of view, the development of capitalism is inseparable from colonial expansion.4
To gain the more market around the world, it meant there would be more wars. After
Glorious Revolution, Britain’s war’s spending dramatic increase. From 1688 to 1697, during the
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Nine Years' War, debt for British military expenditure is £16,700,000. During the War of the
Spanish Succession from 1701 to 1714, their debt increase to £36200000. And during the North
American Revolutionary War, their debt up to £242900000.5
Result in the military expenditure, just about 100 years after Glorious Revolution, Britain
became one of most powerful countries around the world from a isolated island country.
According to Sir Josiah Child’ letter which wrote in 1672:"England's undoubted interest is trade,
for only trade can make us rich and secure; Without a strong navy, we will become a neighbor
and without trade we have neither sailors nor fleets.”6, Britian’s foreign policy is clearly visible---To be a great country, Britain must be rich, and it is best to acquire wealth through successful
overseas commerce, which entailed the possession and exploitation of colonies; In order to carry
out overseas and colonial trade, it has a huge army's merchant fleet is vital, along with a strong
navy, and only rich nations can maintain and sustain a sufficiently powerful sea army fleet.
This opinion was supported by many data. During this period, 75% of British public
spending went to war, while higher taxes were also spent
borrowing during the operation of the war. And Britain focus on the development of the financial
and military sectors, greatly increasing the efficiency of the war.7
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Figure 2: Opening up of new navigation roads, oil painting, 1400s
2.2 Industrial Revolution
As foreign wars expanded, Britain's trade and wealth increased, but the impact of foreign
wars on Britain was also reflected in other social aspects. As Daniel Defoe said, trade is the
wealth of the world, trade divides the peoples of the world into poor and rich types, trade
prosperous industry, industry drives trade, trade distributes the natural wealth of the world, and
at the same time, trade also provides many new types of wealth that do not exist in nature. Thus,
trade produced two daughters, and these two daughters, in the words of the artist, had hired all of
humanity. They are manufacturing and sailing.8 Trade must be through the exchange of goods,
and the exchange of goods requires the development of its own country's manufacturing
industry, and Britain, as an island country encouraged in the sea, the corresponding materials and
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supplies gradually appear to be in short supply in the face of increasingly prosperous trade, so
the increase in productivity has become more and more important.
In this situation, the industrial revolution inevitably came. Britain became a capitalist
country, earlier than any other country, by the middle of the 19th century. At the time, it
practiced free trade and wanted to become a 'global workshop', a contractor for the supply of
products to all countries, and all other countries should be supplied with raw materials in
exchange." The industrial revolution gave British a firm dominance in world development status.
However, less than a hundred years after its formation, the "Sun Never Sets Empire"
declined rapidly in the 20th century. Why so fast? We think the main reason is the value
dilemma caused by the legacy of the empire, which makes Britain unable to escape itself the
shackles that he has put on himself.
13
Figure 3: Factories in the British Industrial Revolution, sketch, 1760s
03: Snakes in the Grass and Decline
3.1 The Decline of the Empire
The expansion of Britain made Britain a world colonial power in several centuries, and the
huge colonial empire had great significance for British trade. Before the First World War, the
British trading system had been very dynamic. The vast colony is Britain's largest market and
raw material supply base. Up to the outbreak of World War I, the British colonial empire had
reached 9.25 million square kilometers, with a population of almost 57 million. 9
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First, Britain's prosperity depends on two very important conditions. One is its ability to
control the colonies. The other is that other countries' industries lag Britain. With Britain's
overseas colonial expansion, the territory of the British Empire has spread all over the world,
becoming the so-called "empire that never sets". This has certainly strengthened Britain's
strength, but also hidden a crisis that cannot effectively control its territory. The British colonial
rule awakened the nationalist sentiment of the local people, making the contradictions between
the suzerain and the colony more and more acute. Historical development has proved that these
colonies will eventually become independent, and the independence of the colonies also means
the decline of the British Empire.
Secondly, Britain's industrial leadership cannot last. When other capitalist countries in
Europe and the United States began to follow the British model, because their domestic markets,
resources, manpower and land area were better than Britain, it was only a matter of time for
these countries to catch up with and surpass Britain.
In fact, at the end of the 19th century, Germany and the United States had surpassed Britain
in some major industrial indicators, such as steel and coal production. In other words, although
Britain is powerful, its home country is limited in size. It is indeed a little powerless to
effectively control its huge body all the time. As early as 1903, Marshall put forward that
"England's future position in the world must depend on the extent to which it maintains its
leading industrial position. She cannot be the only leader, but she can be one of the leaders." 10
It should be said that Marshall's view is very prescient.
In fact, after taking off in a relatively primitive way, the British economy had already
reached its equipment and industrial capacity in 1850
15
But after 1870, its peak was over, and Britain began to be surpassed by the United States,
Germany, and other later industrialized countries. Moreover, in the 20th century, Britain was not
only surpassed by western industrial countries such as Germany and the United States, but also
aggressively suppressed by some emerging industrial countries. How to move forward requires a
correct assessment of the history of their rise.
In addition, the strength of the British navy is also closely related to the rise and fall of the
British economy: "sea power determines history" is limited to the "Columbus era" from the
beginning of the 16th century to the end of the 19th century. With technological progress and the
industrialization of continental level, sea power gradually gives way to
Land rights: Even in the so-called "Columbus era", the influence of sea power also had some
very natural limits. The successive British governments did not only rely on the sea way, but also
made Britain rise as the primary world power by judiciously combining sea power and land
power. 11
The backward America and the turbulent Islamic world provide the best conditions for
Britain's expansion. 12
The fundamental change of the global balance of power and the relative decline of British
power; In this regard, the ability to maintain the world's most powerful navy will also be affected
ring. The sea power has been surpassed by the industrialized land empire and the
development of many new weapons. In any case, these two trends will lead to the decline of
British maritime dominance.
3.2 THE ‘FRACEFUL’ DECLINE
16
This value dilemma stems from Britain's unique social structure. That is, it's not like most of
countries of Europe at the time who just have upper and lower social structures. It had a strong
middle class, whose members included both landlords ,farmers, merchants, craftsmen and
apprentices. Thus, although we can roughly divide it into three large social classes, the
distinction between them is less clear.13 It was this unique social structure that made Britain have
the vitality that other European countries do not have at that time. Because the middle class had
the conditions to actively engage in business activities, thus promoting the process of the
industrial revolution. By the Victorian era, formally, the middle class had triumphed, and the
landed aristocracy was losing its political and economic dominance. But this trend does not mean
that the ruling aristocracy has died out and been driven out of history. In fact, the ruling
aristocracy, through their influence in the political arena and education, still transferred its
worldview to its new successors.14
During the Industrial Revolution, as the emerging bourgeoisie played an important role in
economic development, their ideas dominated social thinking for a time. The mainstream of the
tide, the ideology of the aristocracy in the late 18th century and the early 19th century has been
in decline. But the greed of the new bourgeoisie. But it finally lost its ideological "orthodoxy"
status. The poor who were rendered helpless by the changes in the social structure of the
Industrial Revolution. People, the bourgeoisie is not willing to care about them, or to undertake
some basic social obligations, but the aristocracy seized this moment to show their concern for
the poor, in order to counter the economic victory of the bourgeoisie. The aristocracy advocated
the maintenance of the ancient poor system, should show the poor a "social master" mind, and
assume the "master" should undertake the social responsibility.15By undertaking social
obligations and taking care of the poor, aristocrats rebuilt the image of social masters, which
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forced the bourgeoisie to modify its own image and unconsciously moved closer to the values of
aristocrats.
An important feature of this phenomenon is the fanatical pursuit of land by the middle class.
People began to think that having more property was greater than having more wealth. It is worth
it for an English millionaire to buy ten thousand acres of land with half of his assets, even if the
return is only one shilling... “He will become a greater man in the eyes of most people.”16 They
buy property not for the profit, but simply for the pleasure of owning it. The bourgeoisie with the
spirit of entering had drawn closer to the ideas of the aristocracy, and had gradually abandoned
the spiritual factors of their original success. There is no doubt that the ideas of feudalism and
capitalism were essentially incompatible, and when British industrialists began to integrate with
the aristocracy and began to emulate the aristocratic way of life, the vitality of the company
declined. According to statistics, British companies are less competitive than their counterparts
in other developed countries such as Germany, Japan and France. That is to say, the British
bourgeoisie lost itself in the contest of ideological values with the old aristocracy, lost its
industrial spirit, lost its advantage in international competition, and finally led to the "elegant
decline".
The decline of Britain is, of course, a complex historical phenomenon whose roots are by no
means confined to the causes highlighted by this writer, but such a basis. This failure in the
contest of values led to the inevitable decline of the British in the end. Without the energy to
sustain the industrial spirit of its rise, other political and economic dilemmas cannot escape. For
the very essence of this industrial spirit is the emphasis on the value of honest labor and
innovative activity -- and any society in which such things are not respected, even despised, is a
nation on the point of no return. Perhaps this is the lesson of Britain's rise and fall.
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CONCLUSION
The prerequisite for Britain's rise was to invest in the nation-state as the cornerstone of
Britain's development at a time when the floodgates to modernity opened. The return on this
investment was to make Britain the world's first industrialized country and maintain its
hegemonic advantage on a global scale for nearly 200 years. Britain is the largest colonial power
in modern times, and its colonies have spread all over the world. British colonial expansion had a
great impact on the evolution of modern world history and geography. British colonial expansion
during this period began in the 16th century and ended with the rise of the Industrial Revolution
in the late 18th century. During this period, commercial capital played a major role, and
commercial capitalists became the main promoters of colonial expansion. Colonial plunder was
usually carried out by trading companies granted privileges by the government. When Portugal
and Spain, two old colonial powers, dominated the seas, the east coast of North America, which
was rarely visited by humans, became the earliest area of British colonial activity. By 1733,
Britain had established 13 colonies on the east coast of North America. In the 20~30s of the 17th
century, the British successively occupied St. Kitts and other places in the West Indies, turning
these islands into plantations, slave trading bases and pirate haunts. Britain "became a capitalist
country, earlier than any other country, and by the middle of the 19th century it practiced free
trade, and hoped to thus become a 'global workshop,' a contractor for the products of all nations,
and all other countries should supply it with all kinds of raw materials in exchange." This series
of changes in Britain eventually inspired the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution
enabled Britain to supply the goods it produced in large quantities, and industrial Britain
eventually defeated the commercial Netherlands and other European rivals, and firmly
established Britain as the world's dominant developer. However, from a negative point of view,
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the industrial revolution unconsciously dissolved the organic link between the improvement of
living welfare and hard work, so that the values of the British rise stage were misaligned, and fell
into a value dilemma, that is, hard work is no longer a human duty, but nothing appears "very
elegant", and finally makes the "British disease" incurable. Of course, the decline of Britain is a
complex historical phenomenon, and its roots are by no means just the reasons I emphasize, but
the failure of such a basic contest of values eventually led to the inevitable decline of the British
people. Without the spirit to maintain the industrial spirit of its own rise stage, then other
political and economic difficulties cannot be escaped. Because the most essential thing of this
industrial spirit is to emphasize the value of honest labor and innovative activity—any society
that is not respected or even despised for this nature is on the road of no return. Perhaps, this is
what the history of Britain's rise and fall tells us.
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21
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