Britain, 1846-1964

Book excerpt: The aim of this book is to explain how Britain's circumstances changed between 1846 - 1964: Britain in 1846 was by far the richest nation in the world. In 1964, Britain was, comparatively, much less rich than the USA and, though amongst the world's richest nations, was losing ground to Japan and to Western Europe. Because of her wealth and her navy, Britain in 1846 was the most powerful nation in the world. Britain in 1964 was dwarfed by the superpowers of the USA and the USSR. The British Empire of the 1840s refelcted Britain's power. By 1964 the Empire was collapsing. Only one in five men (and no women) could vote in the Britain of 1840s. By 1964 Britain was fully democratic, with all adults entitled to vote. In a period of a little over a century, these were some of the changes to which Britain had to adapt. It was a period that marked a substantial fall in Britain's comparative power and prosperity in the world.